Taraschuk makes debut as Broncos host Blades

New Swift Current Broncos defenceman Mark Taraschuk will make his Swift Current debut tonight as the Broncos welcome the Saskatoon Blades to the Credit Union iPlex.

It's the first game since Swift Current dealt veteran defenceman Jordan Thomson to Brandon for Taraschuk.

"Taraschuk's a defensive defenceman and Thomson is more of an offensive defenceman that is a year older," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "We've been talking about it for a while. With our recent games and we've been losing by one goal late in games we thought it would be a good move for us."

Taraschuk has played a smaller role in Brandon as they've had a more veteran blue line.

"He hasn't played a lot because he's been behind those guys," Lamb said. "What's intriguing about that is being around all those guys and being in that organization. When he did play we thought he played a real solid and very simple game. He's (18-years-old) which gives us some time to look at him and hopefully he fits in our young group."

"For Thomson he's a guy who has been around for a while and what an opportunity for him."

With Jordan Harris injured and the Broncos down to six defenceman Taraschuk will play immediately and be given a more featured role than he had with the Wheat Kings.

"Coming in here he's going to get a real opportunity," Lamb said. "We want to be careful in giving him the right ice time, but that being said it's going to be a lot of ice time. He's got an opportunity to really make a name for himself and have a solid career."

Taraschuk had 4 points in 18 games this season after 6 points in 32 games as a 17-year-old rookie. Those numbers don't imply significant offence although he had 38 points in 43 games and was team captain as a 16-year-old in Midget AAA. 

"You hope (there's offensive upside) but it changes a lot when you move up to this league," Lamb noted. "We've been looking at him a lot. We've got scouts there and (associate coach) Ryan Smith knows him well. He's a character kid. We knew he was captain (in midget) that's the kind of kid he is that's the type of kids we welcome here."

Part of that character is a commitment to fitness that had Taraschuk near the top of Brandon's fitness testing during training camp.

"I love kids that are very committed and in very good shape," Lamb said. "You have to be like that these days. There's a guy who hasn't played a lot and kept himself in that condition. It really means something."

Thomson was a mainstay on Swift Current's power play either the first or second unit. His departure means other guys will have to slide in those roles as they try to get the man advantage back on track.

"Minulin without a doubt," Lamb said. "We thought he could have played the power play anyway. He's a really heady player, a smart player and a defensive player whose offensive instincts are as good as anybody's. Sissons will get more work on the power play. He is an offensive player and will get an opportunity to show some stuff."

Swift Current is back on home ice this weekend set to debut two new players. Taraschuk will suit up for the first time, while Kaden Elder will be playing his first games in Swift Current since joining the team from Seattle on the U.S. road swing.

That's a trip the Broncos will be trying to forget and move on from this weekend as they dropped all six games and lost several key players to injury.

"In practice we're really going to have to talk about situational play," Lamb said. "We've been bit a few times late in games this year and it's way too many."

The latest WHL injury report has Jake DeBrusk out for a week, Glenn Gawdin for 2 to 4 weeks, Tyler Steenbergen for 3 to 5 weeks and Jordan Harris out week-to-week. With so many of Swift Current's skilled players out of the lineup usual 3rd or 2nd line players are going to be asked to move up.

"You're not going to change a player, go from a third line to a first line and say go score goals like Jake DeBrusk," Lamb said. "You have to do it as a team and you have to do it from your own end. You have to make real smart decisions and we need to have really good goaltending right now."

Swift Current hosts Saskatoon tonight and Prince Albert on Saturday. They've played the Blades three times already this season and have won once in those three games.

"We have to slow them down they have a lot of offence," Lamb said. "They play a real pressure game and a hard working game. We're going to have to shut down some of their top guys and that is going to be a tough task for us."

The Broncos are putting extra focus on celebrating their 30th season this weekend. They're wearing special jerseys tonight designed by former captain Taylor Vause to mark the occasion. Saturday's game is the annual Innovation Credit Union Teddy Bear toss.

You can hear both games on The Eagle 94.1 FM at 6:30pm. Puck drop is after 7pm at the Credit Union iPlex.