The Swift Current Broncos have finalized their leadership group for the 2022-23 season, and have named Owen Pickering as the newest captain in franchise history. Mathew Ward and Raphael Pelletier will serve as full-time alternate captains, while Caleb Wyrostok (home) and Josh Filmon (road) will rotate as alternates.
Pickering, from St. Adolphe, Man., is the first captain for the Broncos since Jaxan Kaluski wore the ‘C’ for the second half of the 2019-20 season.
“This is a proud day for our organization,” said Broncos general manager Chad Leslie. “These men have done an excellent job providing leadership to our young group over the past two seasons. All of these players provide different types of leadership, in their own way, that compliment what the others bring to the table. They will lead by committee, and we feel that Owen is the guy that can bring the group together in good times and bad. He is very deserving of the ‘C’, he embodies our ‘We Not Me’ mentality, and is someone that cares about the organization and his teammates.”
Pickering was drafted 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2022 NHL Draft after scoring 33 points (9-24-33) in 62 games last season. He also played in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game and was named one of Team Canada’s top three players at the World U18 Championship in Germany.
“Everyone in our room is a leader, but it’s an honour to be chosen to have the captaincy,” said Pickering. “Looking at the history of captains before me, it makes it pretty special. It’s a huge privilege and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Ward, from Kamloops, B.C., led the Broncos in scoring in 2021-22, finishing the season with 57 points (22-35-57) in 64 games. Drafted 14th overall in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, Ward has been an offensive threat ever since making the jump to the WHL in 2020-21, currently sitting at 85 career points (29-56-85) in 94 career games.
Pelletier, from Legal, Alta., was acquired in a trade from the Edmonton Oil Kings at the beginning of the 2019-20 season and has dressed in 134 games with the Broncos to date. Pelletier set career highs across the board offensively last season, posting 47 points (20-27-47) in 64 games.
Wyrostok, from Medicine Hat, Alta., was drafted 197th overall by the Broncos in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft and has played 68 career games to date, scoring 29 points (15-14-29). He is expected to make his season debut tonight after missing the last 24 regular season games, dating back to last season, due to injury.
Filmon, from Winnipeg, was drafted 166th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2022 NHL Draft after exploding offensively last season. In 2020-21 Filmon posted two goals in 17 games, and then racked up 45 points (23-22-45) in 67 games in 2021-22.