Swift Current's Anthony Wilson has come home to play his final WHL season with the Broncos.
"All roads lead home," he said. "It's been pretty cool. I played at a young age here, and being back here wearing a Bronco jersey is obviously pretty special."
Wilson joined the Broncos after being waived by Lethbridge in the post-season.
"I got put up on waivers, and then Chad reached out over the summer and told me he wanted me to come to camp," Wilson said. "I ended up here and am super pumped about it.
He has been competing with five other players for three overage spots on the Swift Current roster this season.
"There's a lot of skilled players," Wilson said. "I mean, just showing up to the rink every day, with a smile on your face and putting your work boots on and working hard as you can and just taking it all in."
Since his chat with Swift Current Online, the Broncos released veterans Kurt Rookes and Connor Gabriel. That cuts down their number of overage players to four.
With 239 WHL games under his belt, Wilson feels he brings an all-around game to Swift Current.
"I'm a two-way forward," he said. "I play physical and get in on the forecheck and like to score goals too. So just playing that role and playing simple."
Wilson had 9 goals and 9 assists in 56 games split between Regina and Lethbridge last season.
He has 74 total points in a WHL career that also took him to Victoria and Brandon.
The local veteran scored in his first pre-season game as a Bronco. He feels any offence will come from his overall game.e
"I just think keeping things simple," Wilson said. "I mean, you can't get too tunnel vision and focus on one thing. You've just got to play the right way and I think all things kind of come together."
He brings a lot of experience to a young Swift Current group. That includes a run to the WHL Eastern Conference Final with the Hurricanes last season.
"Showing up to the rink, knowing your role, doing your job, and executing that," Wilson said. "I think that brings the team together and brings them close. I hope we can do some good things and go on a deep run this year."
Being a leader for a young group in his hometown offers Wilson an opportunity to build a bit of a legacy at the end of his junior career.
"We have a younger group here," he noted. "I just think leading by example and kind of leaving my mark as I exit the league as a 20-year-old. So just showing them pro habits and stuff like that. Just have a good season, see what other doors open up down the road, and just focus on one big season."
Wilson and the rest of the Broncos can make one last push for the regular season roster this weekend.
The Broncos wrap up exhibition play against the Wheat Kings in Brandon on Friday and in Virden on Saturday.