The newest name on the Swift Current Broncos roster has already had a chance prove his worth in the lineup.

Forward Alec Zawatsky appeared on the Broncos' roster ahead of their third game of the preseason in Lethbridge.

The 5-foot-8, 165-pound product of Yorkton had a -1 rating in the game, but came back with a goal in the preseason finale at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex on Saturday. 

Zawatsky joins the Broncos after a 2017-18 season split between the BCHL, SJHL, and WHL.

After posting two goals and four points in five games with the BCHL's Cowichan Valley Vipers, Zawatsky was traded to the SJHL's Notre Dame Hounds.

There, he quickly piled up 19 points (9 G, 10 A) in 14 games, earning a contract with the Dean Brockman-coached Saskatoon Blades.

Zawatsky added three goals and eight points in 43 games with Saskatoon. 

With Brockman now serving as the head coach and director of hockey operations in southwest Saskatchewan, Zawatsky appears to be quite comfortable with the new jersey.

"I'm thrilled to be here - I'm thankful for the opportunity," the forward said after Saturday's 5-1 win. "It's good to be back with Deano, and I'm glad he gave me an opportunity here to be a Bronco - I'm excited. That's a big reason why I chose Swift Current. I live and die for his systems and all that stuff, so it's a great opportunity."

The 1999-born Zawatsky is looking to spend his first full season in the WHL this year with Swift Current, and attributes the past calendar year of ramped up training to be able to do so.

"I thought I made a lot of big strides in the summer getting stronger, faster, and getting my shot harder," he said. "Being a small guy, I understand that you've got to put in some extra work, and I think I did that this summer. I hope it shows on the ice."

On a team that's missing a pile of its top goal-scorers from the previous season, Zawatsky says his game could be a good fit for the 2018-19 edition of the squad.

"I think I'm a hard skilled forward - I'm good on the powerplay, kind of smart, can see the ice well, and create some offence for the Broncos," he said.

Zawatsky noted it's essential that, with the likes of Tyler Steenbergen, Glenn Gawdin, and Aleksi Heponiemi having exited, the Broncos may have to go quantity over quality in the shot department to find the back of the net this season.

"We've got to shoot from everywhere - get the goalie looking, and get the goalie to be afraid of where everyone is on the ice."

Swift Current now opens up the 2018-19 regular season September 21 against Zawatsky and Brockman's former team.

The Broncos and Blades face off Friday at 7 p.m. from the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.