Broncos add 11 prospects, make two trades during 2022 WHL Prospects Draft

Swift Current, Sask. – The 2022 WHL Prospects Draft was held Thursday, and the Broncos added 11 prospects to the organization while also making a pair of trades.

The Broncos began the day by trading the fifth overall pick, along with a 2024 fourth-round selection, to the Regina Pats in exchange for the sixth and 54^th overall picks.

With that sixth overall pick the Broncos drafted defenceman Peyton Kettles from Rink Hockey Academy’s U15 team in Winnipeg. Kettles, from Winnipeg, is a 6’3’’, 155-pound right-shot defenceman and served as RHA’s captain during the 2021-22 season while scoring 35 points (9-26-35) in 30 games. Kettles’s father, Kyle, was a three-year goalie in the WHL with Medicine Hat and Moose Jaw from 1999-2002 and a seventh-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 1999.

Swift Current then made another trade, acquiring the 26^th overall pick from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick and the 54^th overall pick.

With the newly-acquired pick the Broncos drafted right-handed defenceman Jace McFaul from the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy. The 5’8’’ Edmonton native posted 46 points (13-33-46) in 30 games during the 2021-22 season, finishing third on his team in scoring. His 46 points was third-most amongst defenceman in the U15 CSSHL age group

The Broncos then picked again at 30^th overall, selecting Swift Current native Parker Rondeau. Playing for the U15 Swift Current Broncos this season, Rondeau led the team in scoring with 68 points (42-26-68) in just 31 games. He then added 16 points (7-9-16) in 10 playoff games. Rondeau is the son of Broncos alum Jeremy Rondeau, who played for the Broncos from 1995-1999.

With the 42^nd overall pick the Broncos went to British Columbia, drafting North Vancouver’s Ty Coupland. The right-shot forward posted some gaudy numbers for the Vancouver Northwest Hawks, collecting 65 points (36-29-65) in just 21 games played. He then scored 14 points (7-7-14) in seven playoff games, all while serving as the Hawks captain during the 2021-22 season.

With their lone third-round pick, the Broncos stayed in Saskatchewan by drafting forward Brennan Brown of the Weyburn Wings. Already listed at 6’3’’, Brennan scored 45 points (20-25-45) in 29 games with the Wings in 2021-22. He also played five regular season games with the Moose Jaw U18 Warriors, and appeared in one playoff game at the U18 level, scoring a goal.

The Broncos next selected at 74^th overall, returning to their backyard by drafting goaltender Berney Weston from the U15 Swift Current Broncos. Weston, from Gull Lake, posted a 12-4-0 record with a .922 save percentage and a 2.66 goals against average for the Broncos in 2021-22. He then went 6-4 in the playoffs, helping the Broncos reach the league final with a .918 save percentage and 2.63 goals against average.

After no picks in the fifth round, the Broncos drafted forward Levi Benson 118^th overall in the sixth round. The Rosedale, B.C. native spent the 2021-22 season with Yale Hockey Academy and posted 28 points (4-24-28) in 30 games. He is the younger brother of Winnipeg ICE forward Zachary Benson.

At 140^th overall in the seventh round the Broncos looked to Alberta and selected forward Jaxen Gauchier from the Grand Prairie Storm. The High Prairie, Alta. native recorded 35 points (24-11-35) in 34 games with the U15 Grand Prairie Storm. He then upped his production in the playoffs by scoring eight points (3-5-8) in 5 playoff contests.

With their ninth-round pick, 184^th overall, the Broncos drafted defenceman Brennen Hocher from Edge School Prep. The left-shot defenceman picked up six points (1-5-6) in 22 games in 2021-22.

The Broncos used their 10^th round selection, 206^th overall, to draft a third member of the U15 Swift Current Broncos by selecting forward Wesley Olson. In 31 games with the Broncos, the Chaplin native scored 42 points (24-18-42) and then improved his offensive production in the playoffs by scoring 16 points (2-14-16) in 10 games.

With their final pick of the draft at 228^th overall, the Broncos looked to Manitoba and drafted forward Jack Clark from the Southwest Cougars. In 29 games Clark scored 52 points (35-17-52) and then added 13 points (8-5-13) in six playoff games.

The Broncos would like to welcome all their new prospects and their families to the organization.