Broncos Open Training Camp, Bews Absent

Drop the puck!

After prospect orientation camp early in the week and fitness testing on Wednesday, the Swift Current Broncos open their 2013-14 training camp on Thursday with a series of on-ice sessions and scrimmages.

As evident as the return of players from last season and the addition of new faces is the absence of veteran sniper Levi Bews.

A personal and family situation has led to Bews not attending training camp and could lead to a premature end to his promising hockey career.

Mark Lamb Interview"It's a huge blow," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "He scored 21 goals last year and had him pencilled in to be a top six forward. The biggest thing about it is he was improving and got our most improved player (award) last year."

Bews joined the Broncos from the Vancouver Giants in a deal for a 6th round draft pick midway through the 2011-12 season. A former second round pick of the Saskatoon Blades, he found his game as a Bronco with 21 goals and 15 assists in 60 games last season.

"His personal situation, his family and what he thinks he has to do we totally respect that and understand that," Lamb said. "The door is wide open for Levi. Hopefully his career doesn't just end here because he's on the upward swing."

Bews' decision encouraged the Broncos to make a move like the trade with Seattle for veterans Andrew Johnson and Connor Sanvido, although Lamb added that he wanted more experience in their lineup either way.

The Broncos also enter camp without a couple of promising young skaters. 17-year-old Cameron Hughes and 16-year-old Jackson Keane will instead focus on playing for Junior A teams in Alberta and Manitoba respectively. Lamb noted Hughes wants to graduate at home and Keane is still a smaller player that needs time to develop.

"Neither one of those kids have committed to anyone and said that they wouldn't come," he said. "They're just keeping their options open which we respect."

Import draft pick Igor Leonenko is another player not expected at camp as both import slots have been filled.

There is no shortage of promising young talent even without the likes of Hughes and Keane. 2012 first round pick Glenn Gawdin comes in with the most hype after putting up 46 points in 37 games for the Greater Vancouver Canadians in BC Major Midget hockey and 11 more points in 6 playoff games.

The Broncos welcome a number of players who put up over or close to a point per game at the midget level last season like Jake Debrusk, Jordan Wittman, Wyatt Sloboshan and Keegan Milligan. 2012 second round pick Cavin Leth spent last season in Junior A and joins that group as a player who could also bring some grit and physicality to the team.

"In their midget and in their bantam they're all point producers that have all done well," Lamb said. "They're not all going to be point producers on the Broncos or in this league. Can they find a role where they can excel and fill a role like penalty killing or maybe being a forechecker?"

Forward is the most wide open position with the departures of league MVP Adam Lowry, Ryon Moser, Chance Lund and Bews. All four of those players spent time in the team's top six and either returning veterans or skilled rookies will need to fill those roles.

Losing players like Lowry, Lund and defenceman Richard Nedomlel takes significant size and strength out of their group as well.

"Those are special guys," Lamb said. "You've got two guys that are 6'5 and one that is 6'4. That's a lot of beef to take our of your lineup and it's pretty much impossible to get that type of size back in your lineup."

"You'll see some guys that have gotten bigger. Martin looks like he's grown an inch or so, Heatherington is a big guy, Harris is a big guy, Lernout... our D are going to be really big. Up front we're going to be a little big different but I think the skating part is going to be a lot better."

On the defensive side the team appears to be closer to set. Despite key losses like Reece Scarlett, Nedomlel and Dalton Reum, star import draft pick Julius Honka and recent trade acquisition Jordan Harris join a young and skilled group led by 18-year-old Dillon Heatherington and 17-year-old Brycen Martin.

Honka was a big get for the Broncos as he is expected to be a highly watched player for this year's NHL draft and could play for Finland at World Juniors. Lamb was able to see him in person at World Junior exhibition play in Lake Placid this month and was very impressed.

"He's about 5'10 and can really skate, can really handle the puck, can really pass," Lamb said. "He lost a couple of guys on the forecheck and he really likes the game. He's got a lot of passion for the game. People are going to like watching him play."

Heatherington and Honka displayed the stamina that could make them a good top pairing when they finished 1rst and 2nd in their heat of the beep test during fitness testing.

Sophomores Brett Lernout and Bobby Zinkan are good bets to fill out the top six with perhaps room for a rookie or two depending on the status of Swift Current's pursuit of a veteran to compliment their young group. The Broncos don't have a 19 or 20-year-old defenceman on their current roster.

"To have veterans around for them to lean on a little bit you can just see it helps their development," Lamb said. "If we could add a 94 D that would fit that role we certainly would do it."

Goaltending appears to be the easiest position to handicap. Both starter Eetu Laurikainen and backup Landon Bow are back with the club and secure in their roles. It will take a very significant effort from 16-year-old Travis Child or another training camp surprise to knock one of those veterans out of their spots.

The Broncos will hold daily on-ice sessions and scrimmages Thursday, Friday and Saturday before their Black and White intrasquad game on Sunday afternoon. The exhibition schedule opens at home on Tuesday with the rookie game against Moose Jaw.

2013 Training Camp Scrimmage Schedule

Thursday, August 22^nd
4-5:45PM: Team Sakic vs. Team Tiger
6-7:45PM: Team Trottier vs. Team Ruskowski

Friday, August 23^rd
4-5:45PM: Team Sakic vs. Team Trottier
6-7:45PM: Team Tiger vs. Team Ruskowski

Saturday, August 24^th
4-5:45PM: Team Trottier vs. Team Tiger
6-7:45PM: Team Ruskowski vs. Team Sakic

Sunday, August 25^th
1-3:30PM: Black and White Intra-Squad Game (ticket proceeds will benefit United Way)