Nobody was sporting Cooperalls, but the full history of the Humboldt was on display last Saturday afternoon during the alumni game at the Elgar Petersen Arena.
Players from six different decades (1970s-2020s) travelled back to Humboldt for the weekend, giving fans of all ages a chance to see their favourites don the Broncos jersey at least one more time.
Just under 40 former Broncos took part in the game.
Representing the first decade of the hockey club’s history were Craig Sluser (1972-76), Lester Cey (1973-75) and Dan Torwalt (1979-83).
With players from different generations on the ice, it was the perfect atmosphere for a fun afternoon according to Torwalt.
“Some guys were like 20,21 years old and I think the oldest was my defensive partner who I think was 70.”
Most of the participants in the alumni game are still active at the rink, mostly in senior hockey. Torwalt figured that he and the other elder players wouldn’t see the puck at all during the game, but that wasn’t the case.
“They (younger players) were very good with us,” said Torwalt, “they were putting on a show for the fans and then when us older guys touched the puck, they let us do our thing.”
Torwalt noted he registered a few shots on net during the Alumni game, which was a rare feat for him, especially during his junior days.
The current head coach and general manager Brayden Klimosko had the chance to suit up in the jersey during the afternoon before he switched to his regular suit attire for the evening game against his former team, the Battlefords North Stars. Klimosko played 157 games for the green and gold between 2004-08 and was a member of the 2008 RBC Cup championship squad, before beginning his coaching career with the team as an assistant coach in 2014.
He felt the alumni game was a huge success.
“It was a lot of fun, a lot of memories, good to see a lot of alumni out, thought it was a great event.”
The players were divided into two squads for the alumni game, with Team Green facing off with Team White. Former Assistant Coach Tim Klimosko was the coach for Team Green and longtime Trainer Ed Perry was the coach for Team White.
Nathan Heinen (2004-07) was the netminder for Team Green, while Rick Sobry (1995-98) backstopped Team White.
In the end, Team White prevailed 10-5, but really everyone involved was the real winners. After the final buzzer, the alumni gathered to take pictures with fellow players, along with family, friends and fans on the ice surface.
For Torwalt, the alumni game was an opportunity for different generations to see him wear the Broncos jersey for the first time, including his wife, his son and daughter, daughter in-law and his grandson, which he really enjoyed. Along with some photos with his family, Torwalt was able to grab some shots from other Bronco connections.
“There’s players out there we billeted, so that was kind of cool, there were players on the ice that I coached in minor hockey in Humboldt.”
A new tradition for the Broncos was born during the weekend. The band of brothers wall including an image of Elgar Petersen is inside of the coach's office, the alumni had a chance to sign their name on the wall underneath Elgar.
With the Broncos serving as one of the pillar franchises in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, spanning over 50 years and a team that is rich in history, Torwalt feels it's vital to recognize the hockey club’s history.
“The Broncos impacted a lot of people growing up,” he said, “the original alumni when we started four or five years ago, and we sat around the table, and everyone talked about how much being a Bronco affected when they were growing up and how it still affects them.”
Klimosko was glad the alumni game gave the chance to showcase the former players of the hockey club.
“It was exciting to have an event like that and I think the alumni were appreciative we had an event like that.”
Besides the players, there were other familiar faces at the Alumni game including Lambert Stumborg who resumed his duties as the Public Adress Announcer and referees Stephen Gray and Jeff Bunko once again put on the stripes.
With the success of the alumni game in 2025, there is optimism of the event continuing annually. Torwalt believes that would allow more of the older players in the Broncos history to come back for at least one more skate with the atmosphere during the game.
“It was just so respective on the ice, and the young guys respected the old guys and that’s what alumni is, it’s more of the old guys and having that opportunity to come out.”
The alumni game showed the saying holds true, “Once a Bronco, always a Bronco.”
Team Green
#5 Dan Torwalt (1979-83)
#5 Dwayne Prystupa (2001-03)
#5 Logan Sproule (2010-14)
#9 Dean Moisan scout (2008-14)
#14 Bryce Fiske (2017-18)
#15 Tyler Smith (2017-19)
#16 Blaine Forsberg (1981-83)
#19 Lester Cey (1973-75)
#21 Matthew Backhouse (2011-12)
#21 Nicholas Shumlanski (2017-18)
#21 David Stumborg (2011-14)
#22 Rhett Blackmur (2011-14)
#23 Derek Patter (2017-19)
#26 Jeff Lauze (2001-03)
#30 Nathan Heinen (2004-07)
#51 Owen Guenter (2018-19)
#76 Justin Lund (2013-15)
#76 Brett Pisio (2011-12)
Coach- Tim Klimosko
Team White
#1 Rick Sobry (1995-98)
#5 Brady Wacker (2006-09)
#7 Kyle Hope (1997-2000)
#7 Tyson Turgeon (1995-98)
#8 Jon Kerr (1995-97)
#8 Bryce Walker (2007-10)
#9 Neil Landry (2009-13)
#14 Taylor Johnson (2009-13)
#17 Tristen Elder (2017-18)
# 19 Chris Van Os-Shaw (2015-17)
#21 Trevor Posch (2014-17)
#21 Brayden Klimosko (2004-08)
#22 Blair Wourms (2004-08)
#22 Connor Casparie (2021-23)
#24 Brendan Fornwald (2010-12)
#25 Patrick Tran (2010-11)
#27 Nick Kalnicki (2007-08)
# 37 Josh Patrician (2018-19)
Coach- Ed Perry