Humboldt Broncos

The Humboldt Broncos are a Canadian junior "A" ice hockey team from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Established in 1970, the Broncos play in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Humboldt Broncos
CityHumboldt, Saskatchewan
LeagueSJHL
DivisionKramer
Founded1970
Home arenaElgar Petersen Arena
ColoursGreen, yellow, black and white
General managerScott Barney
Head coachScott Barney
Websitehttps://www.humboldtbroncos.com/

History

The Broncos were established in 1970 by a group of local organizers. The team was originally affiliated with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, who supplied the team with team name, jerseys and some players. They also had a close affiliation that year with St Peter's College in nearby Muenster.[1] The Broncos originally played at the Leo Parker Arena and then move into the new Elgar Petersen Arena since 1980, which has a capacity of 1,800.[2] The team also won the 2003 and 2008 Royal Bank Cup (Canadian Junior A championship). The team's mascot is a horse named SlapShot. The team colors are green, gold black and white.

The Broncos are the most successful team in SJHL history, having won the league championship ten times, the ANAVET/CANALTA Cup seven times, and the Royal Bank Cup twice.

In very early years under the guidance of Coach Dr. Terry Henning and GM Dr. Gerry Rooney in 1971–72, the Broncos defeated the Melville Millionaires in 5 games to win their first SJHL Championship and then went on to defeat the Dauphin Kings in 6 games to win the Anavet/Canalta Cup (Sk vs Man); eventually losing in 5 games to the Red Deer Rustlers in the Centennial Cup West Final. In 1972–73, the Broncos again were again Saskatchewan provincial Junior A champions. The Broncos were eliminated by Portage La Prairie in the controversial SK-MB cup playoffs.

The Humboldt Broncos won the league championship in 2007, defeating the Melville Millionaires 4 games to 1. The Broncos lost the Anavet Cup to the MJHL's Selkirk Steelers 4 games to 3. Game 7 was won by the Steelers 4–3 in quadruple overtime. Dean Brockman was voted Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

The Humboldt Broncos won the league/Royal Bank championship twice, in 2003 and as well in 2008, defeating the Kindersley Klippers 4 games to 3. The Broncos won the Anavet Cup defeating the MJHL's Portage Terriers 4 games to 0. The last two games of the series were shutouts for the Broncos. The Broncos won the Royal Bank Cup against the AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks the final score: 1–0.

The Humboldt Broncos won the league championship in 2009 defeating the Melville Millionaires 4 games to 1. The Broncos won the Anavet Cup defeating the Portage Terriers (MJHL) 4 games to 3. The last 2 games were won in overtime at Portage. The Broncos lost in the Royal Bank Cup final by a 2–0 score to the Vernon Vipers BCHL.

The Broncos won the SJHL championship in 2011–12 defeating the Weyburn Red Wings in six games. They went on to beat the Portage Terriers (MJHL) in seven games to win the last Anavet Cup Championship before losing to the Woodstock Slammers (MIJHL) on home ice in the 2012 RBC Cup semi-final 4–3 in overtime.

In 2012–13 the Broncos made it back to the SJHL finals where they lost to the Yorkton Terriers in six games losing 4–3 in the sixth game.

After the 2013–14 season longtime head coach Dean Brockman left the team to take a job as an assistant coach with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League. The Broncos eventually hired Ryan Smith (who was the head coach of the Selkirk Steelers of the MJHL) as head coach.

In 2014–15, the Broncos lost to the Weyburn Red Wings in four games in the first round. After the season Smith left the team to take an assistant coaching position with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. The Broncos eventually hired Darcy Haugen (who was the head coach of The Peace River Navigators of the Alberta Junior B League and a former assistant coach with the Estevan Bruins) as head coach.

In 2015–16, the Broncos missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1979–80 season, marking the end of a playoff streak longer than the Detroit Red Wings' then active streak of 25 years.

In 2016–17, the Broncos finished 5th overall in the SJHL Standings but were swept by the Nipawin Hawks in the opening round of the SJHL playoffs.

Bus crash
Main article: Humboldt Broncos bus crash

In 2018, the Broncos had advanced to the SJHL semi-finals, but were trailing in the series against the Nipawin Hawks by 3–1 heading into Game 5 on April 6.[3][4] En route to the game, the Broncos' team bus collided with a semi-truck[5] on Highway 35 near Armley; the local RCMP reported 16 fatalities as a result of the accident, and the game was cancelled.[6][7] The victims included 10 players, two coaches, a statistician, a broadcaster, the bus driver, and an athletic therapist. The remaining passengers, 13 players, received injuries, most of them serious.[8] The president of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Bill Chow, has described the incident as tragic, heart-breaking, the league's "worst nightmare."[9]

In December 2018, the Broncos were named the Canadian Newsmaker of the Year by the Canadian Press.[10]

In their first game of the 2018–19 season following the crash, the Broncos lost to the team they had been playing in the finals, the Nipawin Hawks, by a score of 2–1. The game had pre-game and post-game ceremonies for all members involved in the crash.[11] The Broncos qualified for the playoffs this season, but were eliminated in the second round.

The Broncos were in a position to qualify for the playoffs in the 2019–2020 season, but the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

Season-by-season standings

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) was called the Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League (SAJHL) until the end of the 1972–73 season.

SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPResultsPlayoffs
1970–713622140-258175444th SJHLLost to Weyburn in Semi-final
1971–724432120-26916953[lower-alpha 1]1st SJHLWon League Championship
1972–734829190-242171582nd SJHL NorthWon League Championship
1973–745025242-259226524th SJHL North
1974–755725302-281258525th SJHL North
1975–765830253-272246633rd SJHL North
1976–776020382-235325424th SJHL North
1977–786034251-300269693rd SJHL North
1978–796031254-297270663rd SJHL North
1979–806023370-275351464th SJHL NorthDNQ
1980–816039192-413291802nd SJHL North
1981–826030273-327280634th SJHL NorthLost Quarter-final
1982–836436262-297235743rd SJHLLost 1st Round
1983–846423401-279317478th SJHLLost 1st Round
1984–856435254-327232745th SJHLLost Quarter-final
1985–86605640-4691701121st SJHLWon League
1986–87645590-4542231101st SJHLWon League, Lost in MCC (Sockeyes)
1987–88605172-3701781042nd SJHL
1988–896448151-397270971st SJHLWon League, Won Anavet Cup
1989–906852142-3522671061st SJHLLost Quarter-final
1990–916845203-351267931st SJHL NorthLost Final
1991–926437261-284266752nd SJHL NorthLost Semi-final
1992–936432257-251251713rd SJHL NorthLost Semi-final
1993–946837256-273251803rd SJHL NorthLost Quarter-final
1994–956421358-236286505th SJHL NorthLost 1st Round
1995–966425327-194220574th SJHL NorthLost Quarter-final
1996–976424328-202231565th SJHL NorthLost 1st Round
1997–986431249-245242714th SJHL NorthLost 1st Round
1998–996635283-248251733rd SJHL NorthLost Final
1999-006028257-203224634th SJHL NorthLost Semi-final
2000–0162292566208217664th SJHL DodgeLost Quarter-final
2001–0264381754248184852nd SJHL SherwoodLost Final
2002–0360391263254191871st SJHLWon League, Won AC, Won RBC
2003–04603514101214151811st SJHLLost Semi-final
2004–0555272323176164594th SJHL SherwoodLost Quarter-final
2005–0655182836146201455th SJHL SherwoodLost 1st Round
2006–0758411403241173851st SJHL ItechWon League, Lost Anavet Cup (Selkirk Steelers) 4–3
2007–0858489-1235113971st SJHLWon League, Won AC, Won RBC
2008–0956458-3249130931st SJHLWon League, Won Anavet Cup
2009–10582426-8160179569th SJHLLost Preliminary (La Ronge Ice Wolves) 3–0
2010–11583324-1216198675th SJHLLost Quarter-final (Melfort Mustangs) 4–2
2011–12584211-5240145891st SJHLWon League, Won Anavet Cup
2012–13543614-218512076T-1st SJHLLost in SJHL Final 2–4 (Yorkton Terriers)
2013–14563120-1146132676th SJHLLost in 2nd Round 1–4 (Yorkton Terriers)
2014–15562425-7152163554th of 4 Vittera
8th of 12 SJHL		Lost Wildcard, 1–3 (Weyburn Red Wings)
2015–1658173641165245394th of 4 Finning
11th of 12 SJHL		DNQ
2016–1758312511178178642nd of 4 Finning
5th of 12 SJHL		Lost Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Nipawin Hawks)
2017–1858331933203165722nd of 4 Global Ag
?th of 12 SJHL		Won Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Melfort Mustangs)
*Semifinals, 1–3 trailing (Nipawin Hawks)[lower-alpha 2]
  1. 1st SJHL. In the 1971–72 season, teams played 1- and 2-point games, with teams playing between 42 and 44 games each. Teams could win a maximum of 8 points against another team during the season, so if they played the other team only 4 times, all games were two-point games, if they played each other 6 times, however, 4 of the games had a value of one point each, the other two games being worth 2 points each. Humboldt, Melville and Prince Albert all ended up with 32–12 records, but Humboldt won more two-point games and as a result ended with 53 points compared to 51 for Melville and Prince Albert.
  2. On the way to a semifinal game, the Broncos bus collided with a transport truck, killing 16 people.

Playoffs
  • 1971 Lost Final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Saskatoon Olympics 4-games-to-3
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
  • 1972 Won Provincial League Championship, Won Man/Sask championship, Lost Centennial West Final/Abbott Cup
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Saskatoon Olympics 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-1 SAJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Dauphin Kings (MJHL) 4-games-to-2 MAN/SASK CHAMPIONS
Red Deer Rustlers (AJHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Prince Albert Raiders 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-2 SAJHL CHAMPIONS
Portage Terriers (MJHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 3-games-to-2; Humboldt forfeits due to Portage players' roughhouse physical tactics
  • 1974 Lost Quarter-final
Prince Albert Raiders defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1975 DNQ
  • 1976 Lost Quarter-final
Swift Current Broncos defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2
  • 1977 Lost Quarter-final
Prince Albert Raiders defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1978 Lost Quarter-final
Swift Current Broncos defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1979 Lost Quarter-final
Swift Current Broncos defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-3
  • 1980 DNQ
  • 1981 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Swift Current Broncos 4-games-to-none
Prince Albert Raiders defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1982 Lost Quarter-final
Prince Albert Raiders defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1983 Lost Quarter-final
Moose Jaw Canucks defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1984 Lost Quarter-final
Yorkton Terriers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
  • 1985 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Swift Current Indians 4-games-to-2
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Yorkton Terriers 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Swift Current Indians 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-3 SAJHL CHAMPIONS
Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-3
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-1
Humboldt Broncos defeated Yorkton Terriers 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Lloydminster Lancers 4-games-to-none SAJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) 4-games-to-none ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Richmond Sockeyes (BCJHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-3
First in Centennial Cup round robin (3–0)
Richmond Sockeyes (BCJHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 5–2 in Final
  • 1988 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
Yorkton Terriers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Yorkton Terriers 4-games-to-1
Humboldt Broncos defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-1 SJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL) 4-games-to-1 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Vernon Lakers (BCJHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2
  • 1990 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-1
Yorkton Terriers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2
  • 1991 Lost Final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-3
Yorkton Terriers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1992 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-1
Melfort Mustangs defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2
  • 1993 Lost Quarter-final
Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
  • 1994 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-3
Melfort Mustangs defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1995 Lost Preliminary
Kindersley Klippers defeated Humboldt Broncos 2-games-to-1
  • 1996 Lost Quarter-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2-games-to-none
Melfort Mustangs defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 1997 Lost Preliminary
Kindersley Klippers defeated Humboldt Broncos 2-games-to-none
  • 1998 Lost Preliminary
Battlefords North Stars defeated Humboldt Broncos 2-games-to-none
  • 1999 Lost Final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Kindersley Klippers 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-none
Estevan Bruins defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 2000 Lost Semi-final
Second in round robin (2–2) vs. Kindersley Klippers and Nipawin Hawks
Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
Battlefords North Stars defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-3
  • 2001 Lost Quarter-final
Flin Flon Bombers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
  • 2002 Lost Final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Estevan Bruins 4-games-to-1
Humboldt Broncos defeated Notre Dame Hounds 4-games-to-1
Kindersley Klippers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-3
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-none SJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated OCN Blizzard (MJHL) 4-games-to-1 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Second in 2003 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2–2)
Humboldt Broncos defeated Wellington Dukes (OPJHL) 3–2 in semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) 3–1 in final ROYAL BANK CUP CHAMPIONS
  • 2004 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-3
Kindersley Klippers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2
  • 2005 Lost Quarter-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-games-to-3
Estevan Bruins defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-none
  • 2006 Lost Preliminary
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2
First in round robin (2–1–1) vs. Battlefords North Stars and Melfort Mustangs
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-3
Humboldt Broncos defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-1 SJHL CHAMPIONS
Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-3
First in round robin (2–0) vs. Melfort Mustangs and Flin Flon Bombers
Humboldt Broncos defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Kindersley Klippers 4-games-to-3 SJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Portage Terriers (MJHL) 4-games-to-none ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Second in 2008 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2–2)
Humboldt Broncos defeated Cornwall Colts (CJHL) 6–1 in semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL) 1–0 in final ROYAL BANK CUP CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-none
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melville Millionaires 4-games-to-1 SJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Portage Terriers (MJHL) 4-games-to-3 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Second in 2009 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2–2)
Humboldt Broncos defeated Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) 3–2 OT in semi-final
Vernon Vipers (BCHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 2–0 in final
  • 2010 Lost Preliminary
La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Humboldt Broncos 3-games-to-none
  • 2011 Lost Quarter-final
Melfort Mustangs defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2"
Humboldt Broncos defeated La Ronge Ice Wolves 4-games-to-0
Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2
Humboldt Broncos defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-games-to-2 SJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Portage Terriers (MJHL) 4-games-to-3 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
First in 2012 Royal Bank Cup round robin (4–0)
Woodstock Slammers (MHL) defeated Humboldt Broncos 4–3 OT in semi-final
  • 2013 Lost Final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-1
Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-1
Yorkton Terriers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-2
  • 2014 Lost Semi-final
Humboldt Broncos defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-1
Yorkton Terriers defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-1
  • 2015 Lost Wildcard
Weyburn Red Wings defeated Humboldt Broncos 3-games-to–1
  • 2016 DNQ
  • 2017 Lost Quarter-final
Nipawin Hawks defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games–to-0
Humboldt Broncos defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-1
Nipawin Hawks were leading Humboldt Broncos 3-games-to-1 when the fatal Broncos bus crash occurred on April 6, 2018 on their way to Game 5.

Retired numbers

On September 12, 2018, all the uniform numbers of the 29 players/coaches/support staff involved in the April 6, 2018 bus crash were retired by the team.

Humboldt Broncos retired numbers
No. Player Position Career No. retirement
3Xavier LabelleD2016–2018September 12, 2018
5Adam HeroldD2017–2018September 12, 2018
7Stephen WackD2016–2018September 12, 2018
9Graysen CameronF2017–2020September 12, 2018
10Ryan StraschnitzkiD2017–2018September 12, 2018
11Jacob LeichtF2017–2018September 12, 2018
12Conner LukanF2017–2018September 12, 2018
13Jaxon JosephF2017–2018September 12, 2018
14Bryce FiskeD2017–2018September 12, 2018
15Tyler SmithF2017–2018September 12, 2018
16Kaleb DahlgrenF2017–2018September 12, 2018
17Evan ThomasF2016–2018September 12, 2018
18Logan HunterF2017–2018September 12, 2018
19Matthieu GomercicF2016–2018September 12, 2018
20Logan SchatzF2013–2018September 12, 2018
21Nick ShumlanskiF2017–2018September 12, 2018
23Derek PatterF2017–2019September 12, 2018
24Morgan GobeilD2016–2018September 12, 2018
26Brayden CamrudF2016–2019September 12, 2018
27Logan BouletD2016–2018September 12, 2018
28Layne MatechukD2016–2018September 12, 2018
30Parker TobinG2017–2018September 12, 2018
31Jacob WassermannG2017–2018September 12, 2018

NHL alumni

See also

References
  1. "A look at the Humboldt Broncos". TSN. April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  2. "Elgar Petersen Arena". RinkAtlas. April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  3. nurun.com. "Hawks win 6–5 in triple overtime thriller". Nipawin Journal. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  4. Lee, Christopher. "Broncos blow late lead; allow four power play goals to trail by 2 games". Humboldt Journal. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  5. "'You are in Saskatchewan's hearts':14 confirmed dead in junior hockey team bus crash – CBC News". Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  6. "Deaths, injuries confirmed in hockey team bus crash". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  7. "'There's a lot of tears': Multiple fatalities after semi collides with Humboldt Broncos bus". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. 2018-04-07. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  8. "Humboldt Broncos bus crash: 10 players, driver, 2 coaches, volunteer, broadcaster confirmed dead". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  9. "15 dead in Canadian junior hockey bus crash". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  10. The Canadian Press (December 19, 2018). "CP's Newsmaker of the Year: Humboldt Broncos hockey team". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  11. Ryan McKenna (September 2, 2018). "An emotional return as Humboldt Broncos play 1st game since crash". Canadian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  12. CJHL (March 13, 2020). "CJHL ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL CANCELLATION FOR REMAINDER OF 2019-20 SEASON". SJHL. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  13. Chase, Kelly (April 26, 2018). "For Humboldt". The Players' Tribune-Hockey. The Players' Tribune. Retrieved April 30, 2018.


Preceded by
Halifax Exports		 Royal Bank Cup Champions
2003		 Succeeded by
Aurora Tigers
Preceded by
Aurora Tigers		 Royal Bank Cup Champions
2008		 Succeeded by
Vernon Vipers
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