Honka Goes in 1st Round, 3 Broncos Picked in NHL Draft

History was made for the Swift Current Broncos at the 2014 NHL Draft.

Defenceman Julius Honka became the first Bronco player since Nathan Smith in 2000 to be selected in the first round of the draft, being chosen by the Dallas Stars 14th overall on Friday.

"He’s an elite player going to a great organization" said Broncos coach and GM Mark Lamb. "I just spoke to his family and they are overjoyed that he was selected that high."

Honka put up 10 goals and 40 assists for the Broncos in his rookie season in 2013-14, that also saw him win gold with Finland at the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championships in Sweden.

Two more Broncos would hear their names called as the Draft wrapped up Saturday in Philadelphia. Defenceman Brett Lernout was picked by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round, 73rd overall, and the very next selection, 74th overall, saw defenceman Brycen Martin chosen by the Buffalo Sabres.

Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts was the first overall selection by the Florida Panthers.

In all, nine WHL players were chosen in the first round of the draft, including Kootenay's Sam Reinhart who was picked by Buffalo second overall, and Prince Albert's Leon Draisaitl, who went third overall to Edmonton. Also selected were Jake Virtanen of the Calgary Hitmen (6th overall, Vancouver), Haydn Fleury of the Red Deer Rebels (7th overall, Carolina), the Hitmen's Travis Sanheim (17th overall, Philadelphia), the Rebels' Conner Bleakley (23rd overall, Colorado), Nikita Scherbak of the Saskatoon Blades (26th overall, Montreal), and John Quenneville of the Brandon Wheat Kings (30th overall, New Jersey Devils).