Before the Humboldt Broncos began 2025 on the ice, they were busy off the ice.
On Friday night, the Broncos acquired 20-year-old goaltender Dazza Mitchell along with a 2025 draft pick from the Weyburn Red Wings in exchange for 19-year-old forward Josh Sale and 19-year-old goalie Ty Matonovich.
Mitchell has appeared in 116 games with the Red Wings between 2021-24, registering 48 wins during that time.
Sale will head to Weyburn after collecting 12 points (6G-6A) in 28 games with the Broncos this season. He was acquired by the team this summer after spending last season with the Blackfalds Bulldogs in both the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
Matonovich appeared in ten games with the Broncos over the last two years, earning a pair of victories.
Prior to Saturday’s game against the Kindersley Klippers Head Coach Brayden Klimosko commented on the trade, saying the team needed help in the crease.
“It’s going to help us in the second half (of the season),” said Klimosko. “The bigger the game, the better he (Mitchell) plays, and I know as a player, you only gain confidence when you have a goaltender who’s going to make a big save for you at a certain time.”
Prior to the roster freeze in December, the Broncos acquired 19-year-old forward Zach Bansley from the Drayton Valley Thunder of the AJHL for 20-year-old Gabriel Filion.
Bansley made his Broncos debut on Saturday night after sitting out the final five games of the month due to injury. Klimosko expects the Tisdale SK product to contribute to the team on the scoresheet.
“He’s a smart player, he’s an offensive gifted player and I think it's only going to help our offence to have him in our lineup.”
On Saturday, the Broncos announced the commitment of 2008-born forward Luke Senick for the 2025-26 season.
The team had a chance to get a firsthand look at Senick as he made his SJHL debut for the Broncos later that day as an affiliate player.
Klimosko believes Senick is the type of player that fits into the team's plans.
“He’s a good 200-foot type of player, competes hard, he’s a bull out there, he’s a Bronco.”
This season, the Saskatoon SK product has posted 26 points (11G-15A) in 24 games with the 18U AAA Prince Albert Mintos.
He was selected 2nd overall by the Broncos in the 2023 SJHL Draft.
With the evolving eligibility rules across junior hockey, Klimosko noted it’s important for the hockey club to have a strong nucleus of players from Saskatchewan.
“I think that’s one thing now, you have to focus in on your Saskatchewan kids, you going to need them to have success in this league.”
The Broncos head coach and general manager is hopeful the team will be able to add more future commitments for the team in the coming weeks.
After beginning the new year with a significant trade, the roster could continue this week. The trading deadline for Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) teams is this Friday, (January 10).
Next action for the Broncos is Saturday, when they begin a weekend series at the Elgar Petersen Arena against the Flin Flon Bombers. Saturday’s game begins at 7:00 and then the two teams will meet again on Sunday afternoon at 4:00.