Four rookie forwards found out this week they will start the season with the Swift Current Broncos.
They include Swift Current's Zac Mackay, Gull Lake's Justin Spagrud, Dakota Odgers and Tanner LeSann. All four are from Saskatchewan.
LeSann was the only one of the four to make the team despite not being picked in the WHL Bantam Draft. He didn't think this would happen.
Interview with Tanner LeSann"To be completely honest no," LeSann said. "I was hoping to maybe make intrasquad game. As it went on I saw that I was doing pretty good and I just realized that I had to keep playing hard, score some goals and try to get in a couple fights."
LeSann ended up with a Gordie Howe hat trick in the intrasquad game and went on to finish second in Bronco scoring during the pre-season with 5 points in 7 games.
"It's a great feeling," he added. "It just shows hard work pays off. It's great to be part of this organization."
LeSann and Odgers are very familiar with one another. They played together and were the top two scorers for Yorkton in Saskatchewan Midget AAA last season.
Interview Dakota Odgers"Coming into camp I knew what he had to bring and I was just waiting for him to show it," Odgers said. "He opened up a lot of eyes and made a great opportunity for himself here."
Odgers was a second round pick of the Broncos in the 2011 Bantam Draft. He was able to crack the roster in his first try.
"It feels good just to accomplish it but it's just a little step in a big season," Odgers said. "It was stressful. There were a lot of good players coming in and a there were a lot of players here at the time. You're worried about things you probably shouldn't even worry about. In the end it just comes down to playing hard, playing your game and working hard every moment."
The son of former NHLer Jeff Odgers was sporting a bit of a black eye at the Broncos season ticket holders BBQ as he dropped the gloves a few times throughout training camp and pre-season play.
"It's a part of my game that I need to incorporate to be successful," Odgers noted. "It's been part of my whole family's game. It's how we play, it's kind of branded in us just to have a little fire."
LeSann had 42 points in 40 games for Yorkton last season, while Odgers put up 36 points in 43 games. Mackay and Spagrud were among the top scorers for the Midget AAA Legionnaires. Mackay scored 35 points in 35 games and Spagrud contributed 36 points in 31 games.
The Broncos open the regular season in Moose Jaw on Friday. Their home opener is Saturday against the Warriors.
You can hear all games with The New Pioneer Coop Home Center Bronco Hockey on The Eagle 94.1 FM.
Fri, Apr 26, 7:00 PM
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