Levi Bews - Photo from scbroncos.com
The Swift Current Broncos got an early
start on Tuesday's WHL trade deadline by adding 17-year-old forward
Levi Bews from Vancouver for a 6th round pick in the 2012 bantam
draft.
Click here for an in depth interview with Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb
Bews scored 8 points in 34 games this season with
the Giants and Saskatoon Blades. The Blades drafted him 42nd overall
in the 2009 draft before trading him to Vancouver early this
season.
“Levi
is a big body, power forward type that fits well into the age group
we are looking to improve on,” said Broncos Assistant General
Manager Jamie Porter. “He’s moved around a little bit this
season, but we are hoping we will be a great fit for him.”
Bews
entered the WHL as a 16-year-old and produced 7 points over 52 games
of limited duty with Saskatoon. He had 2 points in 6 games with Team
Pacific at last year's U17 Hockey Challenge. Bews scored 22 points in
31 games with the Midget AAA UFA Bisons as a 15-year-old.
"We
think he could be a good find," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb.
"We've been watching him for a long time, our scouts really like
him. He's a big right winger with a big shot. We think he could be a
good player for us in the future."
The Broncos were
looking to add some talent to their 1994 cluster.
"I
like that he is a 94... we are short in that age group," Lamb
said.
The Giants had recently reassigned Bews to the Okotoks
Oilers of the AJHL. Instead of staying home, Bews will join the
Broncos for a game against some familiar faces. His debut will come
on Friday against his old club from Saskatoon.
Swift Current
heads into tomorrow's trade deadline nine points out of a playoff
spot. They have three overage players and six 19-year-olds that are
drawing some interest and speculation. The most talked about name has
been Broncos captain and leading scorer Taylor Vause.
"It's
pretty quiet," Lamb said. "This year is a little bit
different. There are so many teams that really don't think they have
the team to take them all the way.
Lamb feels they have done a
good job in building up their draft picks and is instead looking for
young players who can step into their lineup.
"If we did
trade any of our overage guys we would need a young player coming
back... that our organization feels would be an impact player moving
forward," Lamb said. "If it's the right player we would even put
in a pick. If it's a good young player that we know can play,
sometimes that is better than taking a guess on a draft pick."
Lamb
is comfortable keeping his roster in tact if he doesn't find a deal
that fits with their plan.
The two contending teams that had
spots open for overage forwards filled them in recent weeks. Kamloops
added Brandon Herrod from Prince Albert for a 2nd round draft pick
and forward Logan McVeigh. On Monday, Moose Jaw sent a 1rst round pick in
2012 and a 2nd round pick in 2013 to Lethbridge for overage centre Cam
Braes.
Monday's other deals saw the Warriors ship 19-year-old
defenceman Tyler Vanscourt to Vancouver for a 5th round
draft pick. Prince Albert also traded a 5th round pick to
add 17-year-old Riley Guenther from the Tri-City Americans.
Watch
Swift Current Online and keep tuned to your radio for the latest on
the WHL trade deadline on Tuesday.