Eight members of the Swift Current Broncos' 2021-22 roster are attending NHL development camps over the coming weeks. That includes the five players drafted in the 2022 NHL Draft, and three members who are being invited by teams.
Owen Pickering (Pittsburgh Penguins), Connor Hvidston (Anaheim Ducks), Josh Filmon (New Jersey Devils), Reid Dyck (Boston Bruins), Josh Davies (Florida Panthers), Isaac Poulter (New Jersey Devils), Sam McGinley (Carolina Hurricanes) and Cole Nagy (Colorado Avalanche) will be attending their respective camps.
Pickering, from St. Adolpe, Man., was drafted by the Penguins 21st overall in the 2022 NHL Draft after posting 33 points (9-24-33) in 62 games in 2021-22. He became the first Bronco to be drafted in the first round since Jake Debrusk, who was drafted 15th overall by the Boston Bruins in 2015.
Hvidston, from Tisdale, Sask., was the first Bronco to be drafted during day two of the 2022 NHL Draft when the Anaheim Ducks selected him with the 139th overall pick. One of the youngest players eligible for the draft, Hvidston had an impressive rookie campaign in the WHL, registering 32 points (13-19-32) in 58 games.
Filmon, from Winnipeg, Man., led the Broncos in goals during the 2021-22 season, totalling 45 points (23-22-45) in 67 games. Filmon’s sophomore campaign with the Broncos was a major outbreak after scoring twice in 17 games during the shortened 2020-21 season.
Dyck, from Winkler, Man., appeared in 23 games for Swift Current in 2021-22, posting a 6-12-1-0 record. Invited to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in March, Dyck stole the spotlight after entering the game in the second period, eventually turning aside all 23 shots sent his way. He was also named one of Team Canada’s top three players during the 2022 World U18 Hockey Championship in Germany.
Davies, from Airdrie, Alta., provided strong secondary scoring for the Broncos while also bringing intense physicality to the ice during the 2021-22 season. Recording 36 points (16-20-36) in 64 games, Davies also led the Broncos in penalty minutes with 119. That also placed him third in the entire WHL.
Poulter, from Winnipeg, Man., graduates from the WHL after a sterling season in 2021-22. For the third straight season, Poulter was named the Broncos Team MVP after shattering career highs across the board. Poulter went 20-23-4-2 with a 3.00 goals against average and a .911 save percentage. He also posted five shutouts. He signed a one year, two-way contract with the Utica Comets in June.
McGinley, from Calgary, Alta., provided a steady two-way prescence for Swift Current in 2021-22, regularly matching up against other team’s top players while also providing 21 points (7-14-21) on offence. He set career highs across the board offensively in his third full season in the WHL.
Nagy, from Saskatoon, Sask., also graduates from the WHL after a strong final season in Swift Current. Appearing in 48 games, the 6’6’’ centreman recorded 34 points (14-20-34), more than doubling his previous career high. He also led the Broncos with a 54.6 per cent face off win percentage. Nagy is slated to attend Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia in the fall of 2022.