The Swift Current Broncos have pared down their roster ahead of the final weekend of the pre-season.
Swift Current has reassigned or released fifteen players.
The biggest moves were the releases of overage forwards Connor Gabriel and Kurt Rookes.
Gabriel was a 5th round WHL Prospects Draft pick by Swift Current in 2020. The 6'3" power forward played 183 games with the Broncos and put up 53 points over that time.
“Connor is a really good teammate and person,” said Broncos GM Chad Leslie in a team media release. “We’ve enjoyed having him here in Swift Current and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Rookes joined Swift Current from Wenatchee last season. He chipped in 6 points in 48 games.
“Kurt came to us from Wenatchee and became a popular player with his teammates and fans,” Leslie said. “His work ethic and character will be missed.”
Their departures leave Swift Current with four overage players competing for three available spots. They are Anthony Wilson, Connor Dale, Marek Ročák, and Joey Rocha.
Swift Current also released 18-year-old forward Owen Mastroianni. He was a camp invite after spending last season in the AJHL.
The Broncos cut but maintained the rights of the following players:
- Cohenn Rotar
- Alex Letourneau
- Jamie Kirwan
- Gavin Faul
- Tanner Massey
- Gavin Harrison
- Luke Huska
- Kasey Gleim
- Quinn Pickering
- Weston Kostiuk
- Lucas Conrad
- Jayden Simpson
Several of those players are 15-year-olds this season and aren't yet available to play full-time in the WHL.
They are all now free to pursue options for this season in minor hockey or lower levels of junior hockey where eligible.
There are a couple of local players in that group. Chaplin's Kasey Gleim will return to the Swift Current U18 AAA Home Hardware Legionnaires, while Gull Lake's Jamie Kirwan is slated to play for the Moose Jaw U18 AAA Warriors.