With a new year comes change.
The Humboldt Broncos hope the change will reflect in a positive way as they kick off the 2025 portion of their schedule on Saturday, when they host the Kindersley Klippers.
Heading into the weekend, the Broncos are on the edge of the playoff picture, holding down the final playoff spot in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with 31 points, a slim two-point advantage over the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
Humboldt is still only five points away from moving up to fourth spot in the league standings, but some teams have started separating themselves from the pack with the Melfort Mustangs currently enjoying a 15-game winning streak, the Yorkton Terriers are winners of their last seven games and the Flin Flon Bombers have picked up points in their last 14 games.
December was a month the Broncos would like to forget, only picking up two wins in their eight games, including a season-high four game losing skid.
Before the conclusion of the regular season, the Broncos and Klippers will meet four times. The two teams will face off in a home and home series in February (7&8), before the teams meet in the final home game for the Broncos on March 9.
So far this season, Kindersley has picked up three victories against Humboldt, with the Broncos earning one victory and an overtime loss.
Additional changes to the roster could come following Saturday’s game, as it will be the final contest for Humboldt before the January 10th trading deadline. The Broncos have been quiet on the trade market this season, although they did move 20-year-old forward Gabriel Filion to the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for 19-year-old forward Zach Bansley on December 10th.
Coverage for Saturday’s game on Bolt FM begins with the pregame show at 6:45, opening faceoff at the Elgar Petersen Arena is 7:00.