Overage Players Reflect on WHL Careers

The end of the season for the Swift Current Broncos also marked the end of the junior careers for overage players Dalton Reum, Ryon Moser and Chance Lund.

"I'm excited to move on to see the opportunities ahead," Reum said. "At the same time I'm really upset. I've been with the Broncos for two and a half years and I'm really going to miss the city... it's been really emotional."

The Broncos fell 4 games to 1 to the Calgary Hitmen in a series that went to overtime in three out of the five games.

Interview with Ryon Moser"It was really close," Moser said. "The three overtimes could have gone either way. The one missed call (game 4 overtime) kind of put us in a hole. We battled really hard. We definitely showed that we have the character and the guys in the room that could have made a run. It's unfortunate we couldn't get it done but I was really proud of how our guys played."

Despite the loss the playoffs can provide valuable experience for both the graduating players and those who are moving on.

"We've all learned a hard lesson," Reum said. "I hope the young guys and the people that are coming back to the Broncos next year can take that as a learning (experience) and next year go further into playoffs."

Reum joined the Broncos midway through the 2010-11 season in a trade from Vancouver for defenceman Joel Rogers. He took to Swift Current right away.

Interview with Dalton Reum"I feel Swift Current is now my second home and I'll never forget the memories I have," Reum noted. "What's meant so much to me is just the support you get. It's nice to see in a small city like Swift Current everybody has your back."

The Camrose, Alberta native had 37 points in 212 WHL career games while playing a steady defensive game. He has been here from the beginning of the Broncos' rebuilding process after the Cody Eakin trade to their first tip back to the playoffs in three seasons.

"It's been an emotional roller coaster," Reum said. "Getting into the playoffs this year means a lot. We're striving in the right direction. I'm very happy and pleased that I was part of the rebuilding process."

Moser joined the Broncos to start the 2011-12 season after spending the first two years of his career with Lethbridge.

"It took me a while to find my way in this league," Moser said. "The fresh start here in Swift helped me with that. It saved my career coming here. I think my all around game has improved a lot."

The Calgary product went from scoring 20 points in 115 games with the Hurricanes to putting up 82 points in 140 games as a Bronco. He took the bigger opportunity provided to him by Swift Current's coaching staff and ran with it. However, he admits those first two seasons helped prepare him for that opportunity.

"Going through that... when I got the opportunity here in Swift it made me take advantage of it more because I know what can happen if you don't."

Lund was a late addition to the Broncos. He joined Swift Current in a trade from Seattle at the beginning of the season.

The 6'5 Fairview, Alberta native spent 325 career games in the WHL and produced 61 points over his final two seasons. He took on an important role with the Broncos on the top penalty killing unit and spent significant time on the top line with Adam Lowry and Coda Gordon.

Now all three players will have to consider their options for the future. They've all earned education packages from their WHL tenure and will have to decide whether to pursue schooling or an opportunity in the professional ranks.

Moser is going to take the summer to decide between going straight to school or to perhaps use his Swiss passport to play hockey in Europe. Meanwhile, Reum has his eyes firmly set on finding some kind of professional opportunity.

"The window for hockey is so small," Reum said. "I really do want to go pro. Right now I'm thinking my schooling is my backup plan. If any offers came up... anything pro... I would take it in a heartbeat and try to keep pursuing the dream. I feel like I was a late bloomer and still have a lot of potential."

Whatever they choose to do with their careers, all three graduating players have left their mark on hockey in Swift Current and will always be welcomed back in their "second home."