The 2019-20 campaign for the Swift Current Broncos marked the second year of a major rebuild, as future draft assets and young prospects were fuel added to the fire that burned bright en route to a WHL championship in 2018.

In the first year, assets were reacquired by Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations, Dean Brockman, in as rapid a fashion as was possible - the highlight of an 11-51-4-2 season.

Turning to this season, Brockman noted a similar approach was to be taken, and perhaps a lateral move - or incremental gain - in the standings was to be expected as a result.

"Growth really only happens when you start getting your draft picks in the fold I believe," he said. "We were in a situation where we had very few draft picks, and we had very few prospects coming our way. In saying that, the players that were kind of left over for us, we had to manufacture moves and trades to acquire picks so that we could kind of start the process of resetting this or rebuilding it."

"When you talk about the process, yeah, it's painful; it's very difficult. Especially when you're in those situations. The only way to rebuild it and reset it is to go through the draft. As much as we'd love to change it and do all those things, and try to hurry the process of trying to rebuild, it just can't happen. That's the way we've elected to go, because to give up assets for the future to get moderately better or just a little bit better doesn't make sense for us right now."

To the season at hand, the Broncos again finished in a similar position with a 10-48-2-3 mark (.198 %).

That record was on pace to be a much-improved mark over last season, as they held a 10-31-1-3 record (.267) before an 18-game slide (0-17-1-0) rounded out the coronavirus-shortened season five games early.

"There was growth - it's very minimal to the win column, but I think everybody improved as the season went along, and that's important too," said Brockman.

With a 10-win season - and plenty of turnover on the roster as a result of the transactions - came the chance for a plethora of rookies and other young talent to earn and play big roles and minutes all season long.

"A lot of guys played in situations that probably they weren't going to on other teams, so when you do that, it's kind of sink or swim," said Brockman.  Too often we probably sunk - but in saying that, I thought some of our younger guys got better, other guys got opportunities and made themselves better so they're ready. I think we've made some progress that way."

In allowing a larger sample size to evaluate the talent on hand came the confirmation that the defensemen Hendrik de Klerk and Sam McGinley are pieces worth building around.

"We have a couple of young guys on the back end that we can go forward with and will be staples for some time,” said Brockman, who saw some security in the forward group as well.

“We've got some young guys up front that we feel can contribute and play meaningful minutes next year when some of our younger draft picks come and some of our younger guys get in the lineup. I think they're Western Hockey League-ready now in going through the grind and doing all that."

Despite that aforementioned lengthy losing streak to end, the late-season play showed feet were far from being let off the gas by any means. That perhaps was born out of the necessity for players to get as close as they can to a secured roster spot next season as the rebuild enters its third campaign.

"Our younger guys, especially towards the end of the year, played some of their best hockey," Brockman said. "Now we know that there are [draft picks] coming, so I think it was important that they realized that, and they did. Next year we're going to have some younger guys in the lineup, so they need to play better, and prove they belong."

As for the three graduating 20-year-olds on the roster - forwards Jaxan Kaluski, Hayden Ostir, and D-Jay Jerome – their junior careers closed with the respect of the locker room and coaching staff.

"Jaxan, first and foremost, was a leader on and off the ice. I think that was important with a group that had difficulty scoring and having success. His positive mindset was important,” said Brockman on his captain that also had a career year, scoring 19 goals and adding 11 assists in 44 games.

“With Hayden, it was that work ethic day in, day out - on and off the ice. Just another guy that kept it positive, and was a guy that his work ethic was his attribute,” Brockman said.

The alternate captain recorded 10 goals and 24 points in 50 games.

“D-Jay was a very skilled individual who brought a willingness to score in every game that kind of showed our younger guys what it takes.”

Jerome came over just before the trade deadline after being placed on waivers by Lethbridge. He had four goals and 18 points in 26 games with Swift Current.

“They all solidly made contributions to our lineup. Some of them it was longer than others, but three really good guys that were willing to play for the Broncos, and that means a lot for us," said Brockman.

Before the Broncos – backed by Team MVP and goaltender Isaac Poulter – head into the 2020-21 campaign, plenty of offseason work remains for Brockman and the hockey operations staff.

The first of those steps came yesterday for the U.S. Prospects Draft, with two other events remaining – the WHL Bantam Draft and CHL Import Draft.

Having gone the route of mass assets, Brockman said it certainly magnifies the need to hit on a high percentage of those picks.

"It's very crucial. We can ill afford to have a lot of mistakes with our drafts. That's just the situation we're in, and it does magnify it bigger because of the fact that you're up against it a little bit in today's hockey world,” he said.

“Players want to play on winning teams - opportunity isn't the only basis for a lot of people choosing to come play for the Broncos. It magnifies it quite a bit. You have to draft smart all the time, but it's even crucial that we have to draft as best as we can."

Maximizing those draft results and having picks sign includes a solid pitch, so to speak, to show draft picks what it means to be a Bronco, and part of southwest Saskatchewan.

"In my mind, it's an ultimate hockey experience. You have a city that it's all about the Broncos, you’ve got the best fanbase in the Western Hockey League. I think those are the things we recruit. It's a great city, they've had success, they've had a lot of guys go on and play in pro leagues. There's a lot to recruit to. If that's attractive to you, Swift Current is the best place to play."

With the abrupt end to the season, and with players already sent home when the cancellations occurred, exit meetings will now be held in the coming days.

Brockman and the hockey ops staff now will set their sights on the April 22 WHL Bantam Draft, where they own the Everett Silvertips’ first-rounder, along with nine other picks in the first five rounds.