A trade with the Red Deer Rebels yesterday made defenceman Sam Pouliot the newest member of the Swift Current Broncos.

The 18-year-old was acquired in exchange for a conditional tenth-round draft pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. 

 "We're looking for a little more depth on our blue line, so I think Sam has - just watching him (yesterday) - he's got some mobility," said Broncos assistant coach Brandin Cote. "I think he has an ability to join the rush, and get up in the play - that kind of thing. Any time you add another guy just to add a little bit more depth to your team and maybe a little bit more mobility back there, it's always a positive thing." 

Pouliot of course joins his older brother, overage defenceman Ryan, on the Broncos blueline in what looks to be a comfortable fit in some otherwise new surroundings.

"He's excited to be here - I think any time you get a fresh start somewhere, that energy level is there," Cote explained. "He's obviously right now got an opportunity to play with his brother who's here too, so that I think will help him settle in."

The 6-foot-1, 165-pound defenceman will have to wait until September 14 to get his first taste of preseason action with the Broncos, which provides an opportunity to further settle in and make an impression in practice.

"We've got a couple weeks here as a team just to iron out some thing and work through. We had a real good practice (yesterday) and he looked like he fit in, he was listening, engaged, and willing to put in the work and learn," Cote shared. "That's all you can ask at this point, and we just kind of go from there. Get him into a couple exhibition games against Lethbridge next weekend, and just kind of continue to evaluate our group as we go through the exhibition season."

The Broncos also trimmed down their preseason roster yesterday, releasing forwards Greyson Stewart and Mitchell Vaillant.

As the preseason progresses, Cote says the coaching and hockey operations staff will continue the evaluation process to ensure the best product possible hits the ice for their season opener on September 21.

The Broncos wrap the preseason September 14 and 15 with a home-and-home against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, before facing the Saskatoon Blades on September 21 in the season opener.