One of the top programs in NCAA hockey has apparently recruited Swift Current Broncos Captain Clarke Caswell.
News reports surfaced yesterday that Caswell had committed to play for the University of Denver this fall and skip the final two years of his WHL eligibility.
Broncos General Manager Chad Leslie confirmed to Swift Current Online there was a change of plans, and Caswell is exploring his options with Denver.
Leslie plans to comment further on the team's roster and plans for 2025-26 after three WHL Drafts next week.
Caswell is a 5th round draft pick of the NHL's Seattle Kraken and has played three seasons with Swift Current.
He produced 191 points over 199 WHL games, including 84 points in 65 games last season.
Caswell is the latest Broncos player to take advantage of November's NCAA rule change which now allows major junior hockey players to suit up for American college programs.
Brady Birnie was the first shoe to drop as he committed to Bemidji State University on November 18th.
He was followed by Carline Dezainde's commitment to the University of Connecticut Huskies, Rylan Gould's to Michigan Tech University, Reid Dyck's to Colgate University, and Hunter Mayo's to Merrimack College.
Gould's commitment only starts in 2026-27 after his final season of WHL eligibility, while Birnie has the right to defer for one more season. Dezainde, Dyck, and Mayo all graduated from major junior.
While the NCAA rule change could cost Swift Current their captain for at least one more season, it did play a positive factor in their recruitment of Iowa prospect Brock Burch. Burch cited the rule change as a factor in his decision to play in the WHL.
The WHL is holding their Penticton Vees Expansion Draft, Prospects Draft, and U.S. Priority Draft next Wednesday and Thursday.