A major move by the Swift Current Broncos at the WHL Penticton Vees expansion draft.
Instead of simply allowing the Vees to pick a player from their roster or protected list, the Broncos made a significant deal with the incoming WHL franchise out of the Okanagan.
They've sent veteran forward Brady Birnie and 2009-born prospect Brooks DeMars to the Vees for a 2025 WHL Prospects Draft 4th-round pick, a 2026 2nd-round pick, a 2027 1st-round pick, a 2028 5th-round pick, and a conditional 8th-round pick in 2028.
The 2028 pick becomes a 1st-round pick if DeMars reports to the Vees.
Penticton then agreed to use their expansion selection from the Broncos to pick Shaunavon native Nolan Stevenson.
The 2005-born defenceman currently plays for Penticton's BCHL team and could move with the Vees into the WHL next season.
Birnie was the first member of the Broncos to commit to an NCAA school after a rule change allowed major junior hockey players to suit up for American college programs.
He had committed to play for Bemidji State University this fall, but the door was left open for him to defer a year and play his overage season in the WHL.
Birnie scored a career high 65 points in 61 games in 2024-25. The former 1st-round WHL Prospect Draft pick produced 169 points over 267 career games for the Broncos.
“We would like to thank Brady Birnie for his years here as a Bronco,” General Manager Chad Leslie said in a team release. “He has been with the organization since he was 15 in the Hub in Regina and will be missed. We wish him all the best moving forward.”
Stevenson had 39 points in 51 games for the Vees this season. He added 8 points in 12 playoff games as Penticton continues playing in the BCHL Interior Conference Final.
The Shaunavon product did play one season of U15 AA in Swift Current before moving to Notre Dame for U15 Prep and the Regina Pat Canadians for his seasons in U18 AAA.
Stevenson is listed as a commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha starting in 2025-26. He could also defer for a year to play his overage season with the Vees.
“I’m happy for Nolan to be able to finish out his career in Penticton,” Leslie added. “He’s had a great year this year, taken a big step in his development, and we wish him well moving forward.”
DeMars is a native of Hugo, Minnesota. He had 69 points in 50 games this season for the Long Island Gulls in U15 AAA, while adding 15 points in 15 games of U16 AAA.
The WHL Prospects Draft starts with the 1st round at 5:00 PM tonight. The remainder of the Prospects Draft and the US Draft are scheduled for tomorrow.