The player the Swift Current Broncos named most improved last season wants to keep taking strides in his game, while helping some younger teammates elevate their play too.

Left-handed blueliner Noah King (who's not related to Broncos forward Ben King), who is listed as 6 foot 4, 200 pounds, developed into a reliable shut-down defender as the 2017-18 campaign went on.

He didn't see the same ice time as the more-experienced Colby Sissons, Artyom Minulin, Sahvan Khaira, Josh Anderson (while they were healthy) come crunch time, but King proved capable of handling big minutes when injuries struck in the postseason.

Now as a sophomore two games into his 19-year-old season, the Winnipeg native has some serious ice time ahead of him.

"I got some good playing time last year, so I hope to take a bigger role this year for sure," King said. "Maybe even step up my offensive game. But also just try to teach the younger guys too, and help them the way that the older guys last year helped me."

In 65 regular-season games as a rookie, King had five points - all assists. He scored his first WHL goal in the final round of the playoffs against the Everett Silvertips.

But in Friday night's season opener - a 2-1 win for the visiting Saskatoon Blades - King hopped up into the rush on a few occasions.

It made sense, as before the game he said that'd be part of his plan on increasing his offensive output in a season where the Broncos won't be able to score as easily as they did during their run to the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

"Just taking a bit more opportunities when they arise. I mean jumping up in the play when I can, taking lots of shots when I can get them through, and stuff like that. I'm not trying to change my game a whole lot. But just taking small steps in the right direction for the offensive."

The Blades took an 8-0 decision Saturday night when the home-and-home shifted to Saskatoon, but the Broncos are back at it on the road this weekend - they hop on the bus Thursday for a Friday-night tilt against the Edmonton Oil Kings before they're in Red Deer Saturday to face the Rebels.

The 2018-19 campaign will feature new challenges for the Broncos, but King can still look back on being a rookie in a championship run for a smile and a lesson.

"I learned how much work it takes to win. This league is so skilled, and such a tough league to win in, and knowing what it takes is a huge learning curve. And yeah, it was awesome. Now I know what it takes."