Swift Current's recent blockbuster trade with Calgary put a big spotlight on their new additions up front.

The Broncos also dealt away 18-year-old defenceman Dom Schmiemann and will need to find a way to replace the top four minutes he played for most of this season.

18-year-old rookie Noah King would be one answer to that question for the Broncos.

King had been playing bigger minutes recently even before the trade and seems to be earning more trust from his coaches.

"A real pleasant surprise this year is Noah King for us," said Manny Viveiros, Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel with the Broncos. "The kid has been outstanding and he's been getting better and better. In our coach's room, we're calling him our second Sahvan Khaira in how Sahvan developed last year from Christmas time he took off. That's what we're hoping for Noah King to keep developing and our other defenceman too.”

King initially made the Broncos as a 17-year-old but ended up getting sent back to the MJHL's Winnipeg Blues for most of the season.

Significant playing time helped him improve and he made it back to the Broncos for the playoff run in the spring.

"It's been a long process," King said. "Overall I think it's been pretty good. Going back last year was the best move for me to develop my skills more and get more confidence. This year it has helped me out a lot. I feel way more comfortable this year than last year. Even that time in playoffs helped me a lot last year."

As King has gained the confidence of the coaching staff he has earned bigger minutes including recently playing with a veteran like Khaira.

"Playing more you get more confidence," King said. "You feel more comfortable out there. You make the simple play, but also you have more time and are thinking better to make other plays too."

For King being surrounded by top-tier veterans such as Khaira, Colby Sissons and Artyom Minulin have helped him learn on the job.

"It's been tremendous," King said. "You can learn from them in practice and games. You try to model your game after them. They've been a huge help."

King and the Broncos have a stiff test in front of them tonight hosting the BC Division's top team from Victoria.

The Royals are coming off a loss in Moose Jaw on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Broncos aren't expecting to have new addition Matteo Gennaro in their lineup as he attends to a personal matter before joining the team. Beck Malenstyn, their other new addition up front, is still out with an upper-body injury.

You can listen to tonight's game live with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey on The Eagle 94.1 at 6:30 p.m. Puck drop is just after 7 p.m. at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.