The Swift Current Broncos is the junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Established in 1967 at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before moving to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as Lethbridge Broncos. The Broncos then return to Swift Current, and have played there since 1986, at Credit Union iPlex.
Video Swift Current Broncos
Histori
The Broncos started out as Swift Current Broncos in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, but moved to Lethbridge in 1974. The team had lost money in a small Swift Current and the new Lethbridge Sportsplex was beckoning for the team. The Broncos played in Lethbridge for twelve seasons, winning the Presidential Cup in 1982-1983. In the mid-1980s, the team came for sale, and despite the large and loyal fanbase in Lethbridge, the Broncos were bought by local interests in Swift Current and moved back to their original home. After a year without WHL hockey in Lethbridge, Calgary Wranglers moved into town and became Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The Broncos won the only Memorial Cup championship two years later at the 1989 Memorial Cup. In the 1993 Memorial Cup, the Broncos were eliminated in a tie-breaker. After that, head coach Graham James resigned to train Calgary Hitmen, but three seasons later, allegations arose that he sexually abused former player Sheldon Kennedy during their days together with the Broncos. James was convicted of sexual offenses and sentenced to three years in prison.
The Broncos play their home game at Credit Union iPlex.
Maps Swift Current Broncos
team bus accident 1986
On December 30, 1986, the Broncos bus crashed on its way to the match at Regina. Four players: Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff (younger brother of former player and former Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff) were killed. The team still wears a warning patch to remember four players. The rest of the team, led by future NHL star Joe Sakic, who scored 60 goals, played off-season despite losing. In a move to commemorate fallen players, WHL is now awarding the Fourth Trophy of the Broncos Memorial to the Footballer of the Year.
season-by-season record
First
First Broncos (1967-74)
Note: GP = Game played, W = Win, L = Loss, T = Binding, Points = Points, GF = Goals, GA = Goal Against
Second Broncos (1986-present)
Note: GP = Game played, W = Win, L = Loss, T = Bind, OTL = Overtime Loss, Points = Points, GF = Goal for GA = Goal against
WHL Championship history
- 1988-89: Won , 4-0 vs. Portland
- 1992-93: Win , 4-3 vs. Portland
- 2017-18: Won , 4-2 vs. Everett
List of current names
Updated January 13, 2018.
Team notes
NHL alumni
Retired Number: Swift Current Broncos has stopped the jersey number of four players killed in the 1986 team bus accident.
- 8 Trent Kresse
- 9 Scott Krueger
- 11 Brent Ruff
- 22 Chris Mantyka
Coach
- Graham James 1986-87 to 1993-94
- Todd McLellan 1994-95 to 1999-2000
- Brad McEwen 2000-01 to 2002-03
- Randy Smith 2003-04
- Dean Chynoweth 2004-05 through 2008-09
- Mark Lamb 2009-10 to 2015-16
- Emanuel Viveiros 2016 to serve
See also
- List of ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan
- Swift Current Broncos (SJHL)
References
External links
- The Swift Current Broncos official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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