For several former Swift Current Broncos in attendance at Saturday's MNP Bronco Alumni Golf Classic, it was a chance to get back to Swift Current for the first time since their playing days.

However, and especially for Maple Creek's Zack Smith, it's always special to essentially make a trip back home.

"It's a great opportunity to come back and see a lot of guys that either you played with, or guys that played before or after you," he said. "It's a great event, there's a lot of good causes that it raises money for. It's a fun time, and it's great to come back and see everyone every year."

The local southwest talent is a yearly attendee at the alumni golf tournament. A lot of that, according to Smith, has to do with the quality of experience as a member of the Broncos.

"Being just down the road from my hometown was pretty special too. In the off-season this is where me and the wife call home, so it's great. Very proud to be Bronco alumni, it's just a great organization to be a part of," he said.

The former captain played at the Bantam AA level in Swift Current, also spending two seasons with the Midget AAA Legionnaires. Smith ended his stint playing in the southwest with a three-and-a-half-season tenure with the Broncos.

The 30-year-old Smith had 110 points (41 G, 69 A) in 221 regular-season games as a Bronco. 70 of those points came in Smith's final season, when he wore the 'C'.

He was drafted in the third round (79th overall) by the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 NHL Draft, and still sports the red, black, and white of the Canadian-capital team.

"Me and my wife both love the city - it's a great place to play. They were stepping stones in my career, Swift Current and then Ottawa, and I'm very fortunate to be a part of both organizations," said Smith.

The 6-foot-2 forward has now logged 542 regular-season games and 45 more playoff contests in his NHL career. Smith has a combined 174 points (87 G, 87 A) over that stretch, and as of late has been the subject of potential trade rumours.

"We love it there - there's a lot of talk, a lot of speculation the last couple years about being moved, but that stuff's kind of out of my control," he admitted. "But, while we're there, we really enjoy the city and the people we've met there. Time will tell, but that's for sure where we want to be."