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Hudson Darby's career has come back where it started.
"I'm super excited for the opportunity and to come into my hometown," Darby said. "Try and make an impact with this team and help them out."
Darby, a Swift Current product, joined the Broncos after a trade with Portland yesterday.
"It shocked me," Darby said. "I was getting ready to go to Portland and kind of got that call that something might be happening.
"I grew up here, billeted Broncos, this is kind of my team. I've played in this rink growing up my whole life and it's kind of a full circle moment to be now stepping on this ice again, but for the Broncos instead of playing against them."
Swift Current acquired the 2006-born forward to add experience for a young group.
"Hudson's just a real character kid," said Broncos GM Chad Leslie. "A guy that's had a couple years experience in the league and a guy that just we feel brings a tremendous amount of character and leadership.
"Years ago with our 04 group, we always felt that we should have provided those young guys with a little bit more leadership early on while they were getting their feet wet in the league. And on this transition period that we're in with the team, we feel real strongly about our young group of players here. It's certainly something that we wanted to correct from past mistakes. It's just making sure we've got a tremendous amount of leadership around them, and Hudson provides that."
The Broncos know Darby's production could increase in his 19 and 20-year-old seasons. That's not what they're focused on.
"When you look at the time frame when players start to get things figured out in the league, that would correlate with Hudson," Leslie said. "Obviously, the increase in production, having more opportunity here for sure. I think that there is going to be ample opportunity for him to have success. But certainly, I don't want to pin any of that on him and put pressure on him because it's going to be a great opportunity for him. He's here to provide some character and leadership."
While Darby does want to add to his offensive game, he also focuses on his all-around performance.
"An honest, working player," Darby said. "I play both sides of the puck really well. My special teams are good. I like to kill penalties. I'm a guy who does what it takes to win. I'll block a shot last minute. I'll maybe get in front of the net there to banging one in. Just an honest player that brings leadership and hard work to the rink every day. "
The Broncos sent recent U.S. Priority draft pick Easton Dozark to Portland.
"Where we were at in our cycle as well in regards to our staffing we were in situations where we valued players and felt that if they weren't interested in being a Bronco, that they'd be an asset that we could use to help our group," Leslie said. "That's kind of been the thought process to this point. This year we're going to be more active in the U.S. building relationships and having some continuity with staff here. I think it just makes it easier to go down there and confidently recruit and tell players what your program is all about. Ultimately, we gave up a really good player. I do believe that he's a (U.S. U17) development team player for sure. But if he does come to the league, he's going to be quite impactful. We gave up a lot here as well."
Darby could make his debut with the Broncos as soon as tonight as Swift Current hosts Moose Jaw at 7:00 pm.
Their pre-season then continues against the Warriors in Assiniboia on Saturday.