The Swift Current Broncos have added another local product to their stable.
They sent a conditional 5th round WHL Bantam Draft pick to Seattle for the rights to defenceman Reid Fritzke.
"He's an all around athlete," said Broncos Coach and General Manager Mark Lamb. "He's go a lot of potential, moves the puck well, is big and strong... whatever team he's been on he turns into one of the leaders on the team. He's a very competitive guy that we think has a chance to play here at some point."
Fritzke was drafted in the 8th round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft by Seattle.
Interview with Mark Lamb"He probably wasn't going to get the opportunity out there," Lamb noted. "He's just an all-around player that always seems to get to the top of every team he is playing on. He's a very competitive guy that play all sports and knows what it's like to be on a team."
Fritzke joins a Broncos system that includes fellow southwest products Zac Mackay, Justin Spagrud and Jordan Wittman.
"It certainly can't hurt," Lamb noted. "They played on the (Swift Current Kabos Bantam) Raiders... when you're the same age in the same community you pretty much do everything together. They've had a lot of success together and I'm sure they'd be happy to all play together with the Broncos at some point."
The 6'1, 182lbs 16-year-old is excited about joining an organization with his old friends.
"It will make it a lot easier," he said. "It will make me feel more comfortable joining the group right away."
Playing for his hometown team would be a dream come true.
Interview with Reid Fritzke"Ever since I was little I always watched them growing up," Fritzke said. "I imagine it would be pretty sweet to play for them one day."
The Swift Current native has 11 points and 22 penalty minutes in 26 games with the Midget AAA Home Hardware Legionnaires this season. He scored 18 points in 31 games for the championship Midget AA K-Motel Hurricanes last season.
Current Bronco and Fritzke's former teammate Zac Mackay welceomed him to the organization on Twitter
Fritzke will stay with the Legionnaires and is now available to the Broncos as an injury call-up if needed. For now he is focused on trying to help his Midget AAA team break out of a 14 game winless skid.
"It's definitely frustrating losing more games than we did last season," Fritzke noted. "But I think I've improved a lot."
He describes himself as a stay-at-home defenceman who needs to improve his offensive game to make it to the next level. Fritzke is also a decorated baseball player who is hoping to continue playing both sports.
"I love both," Fritzke said. "I'll just play the one that gives me the most opportunity."
The Broncos host the Saskatoon Blades on Tuesday night. Fritzke and the Legionnaires play their final game before the holiday break in Moose Jaw on Thursday.
Click here fore the official press release
Fri, Apr 26, 10:00 AM
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