The Swift Current Broncos provided a homecoming and not-too-far-from-homecoming for their two new assistant coaches.

Officially announced yesterday by the team, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Dean Brockman will be flanked by recently-hired assistant coaches Brandin Cote and Scott Dutertre.

"Really excited - I think both guys bring a lot of things to the table," Brockman noted. "Both are guys that have a lot of hunger to be in the game right now - I love that about them, and I thought they were great hires." 

Cote is a home-grown product of Swift Current, while Dutertre hails from Dinsmore, a drive of just over an hour-and-a-half northeast.

Brockman says, especially for Cote, knowledge of the importance of the Broncos to the region was definitely an asset.

"I think with Brandin, obviously his familiarity with Swift Current and what it means to be a Bronco - I know he played for the Spokane Chiefs, but growing he idolized the Broncos," said Brockman. "He knows exactly what it means to Swift Current and the surrounding area."

That local knowledge wasn't just an added bonus, as Brockman notes it carried weight in the hiring process.

"The parameters are going to be kind of a little bit different as far as this organization, compared to others," the new Broncos head coach admitted. "When people hear Brandin's name, there's the familiarity. I thought that was important. And, in all attributes, they have to understand what the Swift Current Broncos are, who they are, and who they play for. I think that was a real important thing."

Nonetheless, it was both Cote and Dutertre's depth of passion and knowledge for the game that drew Brockman to them.

"Obviously you want hockey knowledge and guys that have been around the game, and have worked with young adults or teenagers I guess - they've done that, and they do that on a consistent basis," Brockman explained. "Both are very excellent communicators, which I think is a strong asset of theirs. Just guys that are hungry for the game, and hungry to help kids succeed not only playing the game, but beyond that as well. It was quite an extensive search, but at the end of the day, these two guys just really appealed to me the most."

For Dutertre, a noticeable strength is his work in individual and team skill development, having dedicated around 20 years to the craft.

"Everything's turned into a skill game - a fast game... any edge that we can have, I think Scott certainly has a lot of knowledge in that," Brockman said. "He's worked with junior hockey players and he's worked with men - he's got a great understanding. It comes back to that hunger for knowledge. He's one of those guys that if you need something, whether it's technically or through skills, Scotty is going to do his best to try and find the answer."

With former associate coaches Ryan Smith and Jamie Heward having well-defined roles in terms of what personnel groups they worked with, Brockman says it will take time - but he's not concerned - over figuring out what roles Cote and Dutertre will over-see at practice and beyond.

"We're going to sit down and divide that up. At the end of the day, when we went through the interview process, they have a vast knowledge of the game in all aspects of it. In our organization, we want guys that are willing to do whatever it takes. Whatever has to be done has to get done, and everybody has to be willing to do it. These two guys are certainly willing to make it happen."

The pressure may be off coaching hires, but the metaphorical foot remains stomped on the gas as the Broncos carry on in what's been a busy first off-season for the Brockman-led Broncos.

"You're obviously planning your whole season and your off-season, and that process has to continue," Brockman noted. "Certainly we just want to make sure that we're ready for that first day of camp. We just want to be ready for everything that we can get ready for. There's never a dull moment now, it's certainly a lot of fun, and the pressure is off now with the hiring of the staff. As soon as they get to town they'll be put to work."