Jon Martin (photo from scbroncos.com)

Jon Martin is hoping to remain a Bronco.

Swift Current's captain has heard the rumours that have swirled around the Broncos thanks to their drop in the standings and the recent trade of star forward Jake DeBrusk.

If the Broncos are talking about moving veteran players for future help the leading scorer in the WHL would certainly be an attractive target. He's trying not to pay that much attention to it.

"There's a lot of rumours going around," Martin said. "They're with you in the back of your head, but I try not to let it bother me. I like it here and I like the situation I'm put in here. Obviously I'm going to hope for the best that I stay here."

Trading DeBrusk doesn't necessarily mean Swift Current is in full sell mode heading towards the January 10th trade deadline.

"You can't just sell out on your team," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "There are guys in there that are very important to myself and the organization. To just sell out on them and have them play for the rest of the year isn't right. I would say it's more of a balance."

"I'm always anticipating something more to happen. We have a lot of pieces we like now and a lot of pieces other people are going to like."

Martin came to Swift Current four games into the season after spending the rest of his career with the Kootenay Ice. He emerged as one of the biggest stories of the first half with a career high 26 goals attained while battling an injury over the last month.

The impact of that injury has started to subside.

"The break has helped a lot," Martin noted. "It's good."

Martin may have to shoulder even more of the offensive load with DeBrusk dealt to Red Deer. It's a move he understood despite the fact that he will miss his teammate.

"It's tough," he noted. "(Jake and I) were starting to become pretty good friends playing on a line. We got to pretty close, but in the long run I think it's the best thing for him. He's going to a good team. He's a good player and I think he's pretty happy with it."

Martin isn't just getting attention from other WHL teams looking for help, he has had NHL scouts circling him for weeks as they try to lock down the overage free agent.

For now his focus is on helping the Broncos get back on a winning track after 15 losses in their last 17 games and a continuing struggle to score goals.

"We're playing good," Martin said. "It's kind of a new season now in the second half. We have to keep doing what we're doing and focus on more offence."

"I think we've just got to funnel pucks to the net, get to the net, get rebounds, get point shots and be there for them. That needs to come from everyone not just a couple guys."

The Broncos get right back to work tonight against the Prince Albert Raiders. They're 1-1 against Prince Albert this season after two well played games.

"I thought even the last time we played them here it was one of the best games," said Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith. "It was tight and felt like a playoff game. They're a good team, they're deep up front and they've got good netminding this year. Every point is important right now for us the way we're going and the way we're trying to climb up."

Our pre-game show starts at 6:30pm on The Eagle 94.1 FM. Puck drop is just after 7pm at the Credit Union iPlex.