A recent Swift Current Bronco graduate reached the NHL level this morning.

Goaltender Joel Hofer was called up by the St. Louis Blues and added to the club's taxi squad just ahead of the NHL's playoffs.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba product has appeared in 10 games this year with the AHL's Utica Comets going 4-6, posting a 3.33 goals-against-average and a .898 save percentage. He also has two shutouts on the year with the Comets, the lone team he's suited up for in the 2020-21 campaign.

The 20-year-old played in Swift Current from 2017 to 2019 before he was dealt to the Portland Winterhawks at the WHL's trade deadline in early January. He saw action in 49 regular-season games with the Broncos between the two seasons and was also part of the 2017-18 team that captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Hofer was drafted by the Blues in the fourth round, 107th overall, during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.