Broncos add Feser from Red Deer

The Swift Current Broncos wasted little time in adding more depth to their overage group.

After having five potential overage players either released by the organization or departing on their own, Swift Current was down to only two players with three 20-year-old spots available this fall.

They filled that void by trading a 2017 4th round bantam draft pick to Red Deer for veteran forward Scott Feser.

"It was something we've been looking at for a long time," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "Leadership abilities, two-way players, can kill penalties and good on the power play. I've heard a lot of good things about him and liked the way he's played against us over the years. It's something we needed on our team."

Lamb was hoping to acquire some leadership for what could be a very young team.

"He was one of the guys that we targeted," the Broncos coach noted. "The type of player that we think we need around here is the type of player that we got."

Feser has played parts of three seasons with the Rebels. He has put up 32 goals and 45 assists in 158 games.

The Red Deer product started his 18-year-old season in the AJHL when injuries earned him an opportunity with the Rebels. What was expected to be a temporary call-up turned into a full-time appointment.

"We call those guys hockey players," Lamb said. "Coaches love those type of guys that really make it hard on you. He's from a hockey family... this guy is really looking to make a career at it."

Feser had 41 points in 72 games last season. He showed signs of being able to produce at an elite level with 15 points in the month of November alone and he was among the lead leaders in shorthanded goals with 4.

"I think he has the potential," Lamb said. "I like his work ethic and what he brings to the rink every night. He played behind some good players there too. He can play a second or third line role, but if something happens he can move up and play an offensive role."

Feser departs his hometown Rebels just as they get set to host the Memorial Cup in 2016.

"He's leaving a team that has a spot in the Memorial Cup right now," Lamb noted. "Obviously that could be a little disappointing to any type of player, but when I talked to him he was very positive about coming in here and being a big part of it."

"He's never been given anything, he has always worked hard for everything and that's the type of player we want."

Lamb wouldn't rule out adding more overage players in the future as he doesn't expect they would get either defenceman Brett Lernout or Dillon Heatherington next season. That would leave Swift Current with Feser, goaltender Landon Bow and defenceman Griffin Foulk for their three overage spots.