Broncos Jordan Harris copy
Jordan Harris (photo from scbroncos.com)

Jordan Harris wanted to be closer to home and the Swift Current Broncos were only happy to oblige.

The 1996 born Prince Albert native asked the Prince George Cougars for a trade after his first season in the WHL and they obliged him in a move to the Broncos for fellow 2011 1rst round WHL Bantam Draft pick Zack Gonek.

Jordan Harris Interview"It's great," Harris said. "It's a new start for me and I think I'll fit in great with the Broncos organization."

The young defenceman was taken 10th overall in the 2011 draft by the Cougars, only 3 spots ahead of where Swift Current nabbed Gonek.

"He's a player that when he was drafted that we looked at a lot," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "We had him rated very high as we did Zack. He's weighted a little more with the puck. We feel with the group that we have, and it's a young group, that he fits in a little better."

Harris started last season with the Midget AAA Prince Albert Mintos before getting promoted to Prince George midway through the season. He put up 5 points and was -9 in 17 games.

Mark Lamb Interview"I would say he's more ready (than Gonek) I don't think there's any doubt about that," Lamb said. "But it doesn't mean that Zack is not going to be a better player in the long run."

He sees it as a trade that could benefit both teams. Lamb is impressed with many elements of Harris' game.

"We think he has all kinds of potential," Lamb said. "He's really good with the puck, he can really shoot it. His pressence on the ice and how he ran the power play I was surprised he didn't score more because he can really shoot the puck."

"He's not an overly aggressive player but he can really hit. He catches you with your head down and he nails you."

Harris sees himself as a two-way defenceman.

"I'm kind of a first pass guy make sure I get it out of my own end," he said. "Take care of things in the d-zone and after that jump in the play as much as I can and hopefully contribute offensively."

"My vision on the ice has always been one of my strengths."

That physicality Lamb was talking about is one area where Harris would like to improve. He has bulked up significantly from his listed weight of 171lbs. Harris described himself as 6'1 and closer to 195 or 200lbs.

He put up 9 assists in 18 Midget AAA games last season before getting called up to the WHL. Harris' season was interrupted by a late return to midget and a concussion, but the coaching staff there was still very happy with how he contributed.

Ken Morrison Interview"Skates well and he's a big, strong kid," said Prince Albert Mintos Coach Ken Morrison. "Probably his best asset is he's a good kid that works hard on and off the ice."

"He's got a good shot, he can chip in offensively, he skates well, he's big and tough... I think he does everything pretty well. He's just a good all-around defenceman I would say."

Harris was a big scorer for Prince Albert in bantam where he collected 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 23 regular season games in his second year at that level. Now that he'll be a Bronco he is looking forward to playing in front of his home town fans in the jersey of their rivals.

"Most of my family are season ticket holders to the Raiders," Harris said. "I think it'll be bragging rights come Christmas time."

Gonek leaves the Bronco organization without ever playing a regular season game for the team. The St. Albert product didn't make his major midget team as a 15-year-old and put up 4 points in 23 games after making it to that level as a 16-year-old.

"We think he's going to be a player," Lamb said. "He's more of a power guy. A little bit more raw than Jordan, but I think both of them are going to be good players."

For the Broncos it's another step in assembling a highly touted group on the blue line. Harris gets added to a group that includes 2nd round NHL Draft pick Dillon Heatherington, former 2nd overall WHL Bantam Draft pick Brycen Martin and several other young returning players or prospects.

"It's coming together real good but we're real young," Lamb said. "There's a pretty good chance (import draft pick Julius) Honka is going to be here... we've got lots of depth there and a lot of good depth when you look at it on paper. What we don't have is experience and that's something we may have to add."

Lamb confirmed that the Broncos would be coming to camp without veteran forwards Brent Benson and Shea Howorko. Both were forced to retire from junior hockey because of concussions. Howorko is a Swift Current native and former 2nd round WHL Bantam Draft pick, while the Broncos had acquired Benson last season from Saskatoon in a grade for defenceman Graeme Craig.

Swift Current will also be without the services of forward Dakota Odgers to start the season. He had shoulder surgery and won't be available until November or December.