Winning hockey isn't built in a day.

With 16 new players, a new coaching staff and a new style of play, there will be a lot of learning ahead for the new look Swift Current Broncos.

Some lessons can come from a 7-0 pre-season loss in Lethbridge tonight.

"Lots of things," said Broncos Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Dean Brockman. "Too many to mention to be honest with you. For some guys it was there first game. It's been a long time since we played. There's a lot of young guys that are going to have to get used to the pace of play."



Keltie Jeri-Leon led the way for the Hurricanes with four goals and an assist in an impressive performance. Former Broncos forward Logan Barlage added a goal and three helpers, while top NHL prospect Dylan Cozens chipped in two goals.

Swift Current's best sequence came in the early stages of the third period when they started to put some pressure on the Hurricanes and new addition Alec Zawatsky rang a shot off the crossbar.

"It's encouraging guys responded to what we were talking about," Brockman said. "It was two periods too late, but at least it was a sign guys were starting to adjust."

Swift Current rookie Isaac Poulter made some big saves among his 42 despite the 7-0 score.

"He was really good," Brockman noted. "He kept us in the game and made some good saves. They scored some goals they'd have scored on any other goalie. Good for Poults I thought he played really well."

There was some physicality in the game as well. Both Ryan and Sam Pouliot dropped the gloves as Ryan took on Koletrane Wilson and Sam had a very spirited battle with Cozens.

The Broncos hadn't played in almost two weeks after the two pre-season games in Regina. They will wrap up their exhibition schedule tomorrow at home against these same Hurricanes with some lineup adjustments.

"We've got some guys that will be in the lineup tomorrow that were sitting at home and they'll be chomping at the bit to get in there," Brockman said. "You want to see who has the character to bounce back and work through it."

Brockman expects to cut down from 27 players to 24 before the start of the regular season next Friday. He added that would likely include four overage players as the competition for those spots could continue into the season.

The Broncos added Zawatsky to their lineup after Saskatoon released him after camp. The 19-year-old forward had 8 points in 43 games for Brockman's Blades last season. He had put up 19 points in 14 games for Notre Dame in the SJHL earlier in the season.

You can listen to tomorrow's game live on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 6:30pm. The regular season starts next Friday against Saskatoon on a night when the Broncos will lift their 2018 WHL Championship banner into the rafters.