Lindenpenner
Linden Penner (photo from whl.ca)

Linden Penner has been on a bit of a roller coaster ride the last few seasons.

The Sherwood Park, Alberta product was cut by the WHL team (Saskatoon) that drafted him, had a nearly point per game season for Whitecourt of the AJHL at 17, was passed over in the NHL draft, got invited to and thrived at Calgary's NHL prospect camp, signed by Everett, trade to the Calgary Hitmen, dealt with injuries in his first full WHL season, was traded to Moose Jaw early this season and eventually released by the Warriors before joining Swift Current.

It's enough to make anyone's head spin. For Penner his sole focus is on taking advantage of a new lease on WHL life.

"I've had some bad shots here the last couple months," Penner said. "I got traded to Moose Jaw from Calgary and it wasn't the best personally for me. Nothing against Moose Jaw or anything it just didn't for me."

"(Broncos Coach/GM) Mark Lamb is bringing me in here to do what I do. That's be a strong, physical power forward that takes a puck hard to the net, creates space for my linemates and you know be a force out there."

Penner's size at 6'3 and 220lbs is part of what allowed him to impress the Calgary Flames at their 2013 develop camp with a couple of goals at a scrimmage that got him some media coverage in the big city. Now he has to use that big man's game to get his WHL career right back on track.

"To make the most of my opportunity here I've just got to play big," Penner said. "I'm a big, strong power forward so I just need to hit everyone, be hard on the forecheck, puck the puck in the net when I get the chance and do all the right things. Hopefully it will work out."

Swift Current has a pretty strong group in their top six forwards at the moment, but Penner feels like he is a versatile player who can help in any position in their lineup.

"It's important to be able to do a little bit of everything," he noted. "I finish checks and I can play that grinder role. If I get an opportunity to play more minutes I can create space for the more skilled players on my line."

Penner feels like he has made a better connection with the other players on the Broncos in a week than he had at times with his previous teams. Part of that could be that he is well suited to the Swift Current identity.

"I know every time we played Swift Current it was always a hard fought battle," Penner noted. "I fought Ayrton Nikkel here the last time I was here with Moose Jaw. There is always that stuff going on. The Broncos are a hard team to play against and I think I can fit in that role."

Penner has yet to suit up for a game with Swift Current but hopes to do that tonight as the Broncos host Saskatoon. You can hear the game on The Eagle 94.1 FM with our pre-game show at 6:30pm. Puck drop is just after 7pm live from the Credit Union iPlex.