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Broncos Announce 2022-23 Team Award Winners

March 22, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release


Swift Current, Sask. - The Swift Current Broncos announced 13 of their team award winners for the 2022-23 season Tuesday night. Two awards were presented live before puck drop against the Edmonton Oil Kings and 11 more were announced throughout the game. The Julie Forst Memorial Award for Most Valuable Player & Kanuka Thuringer Leading Scorer will be announced after the regular season!

Humanitarian Award Presented by the Swift Current Hockey Hounds - Sam McGinley

McGinley was first to volunteer for community events throughout the 2022-23 season. Some of those events included the Innovation iRead Program, Broncos in the Southwest as he visited schools in the surrounding area and also attending minor hockey practices. A four-year Bronco, McGinley has connected with the Swift Current and Southwest Saskatchewan community since he first arrived in November of 2019.

Most Sportsmanlike - Connor Gabriel

Appearing in 50 games leading up to awards night, Gabriel spent the least amount of time in the penalty box out of everyone on the Broncos roster. He took just two minor penalties all season long, a delay of game penalty in Brandon on December 3 and a tripping minor in Red Deer on December 17.

Gordon May Top Scholastic Achievement Award - Clarke Caswell

Caswell balanced the riggers of a hectic WHL schedule while staying on top of his grade 11 school work at Swift Comprehensive High School throughout the 2022-23 season, ending the hockey season with a 94.25 per cent average.

Fans Most Popular Player - Josh Fluker

The first year Broncos defenceman won this year's award with 20 per cent of the online vote.

Team's Most Popular - Sam McGinley

The longest tenured member of the Broncos, McGinley earned this year's award after a vote from his teammates. Respected for his work ethic on the ice and his easy-going attitude off it, McGinley has continually cemented himself as a highly-regarded member of the Broncos locker room.

Leadership and Maturity - Braeden Lewis

Lewis is a now two-time winner of this award. Playing in every game leading up to awards night, Lewis doubled his point totals from last season during the 2022-23 campaign. Counted on for strong defensive play and winning faceoffs, Lewis never hesitates to do what is necessary to help the team win.

Charlotte Letkemman Memorial Award for Desire and Leadership - Reid Dyck

A consummate professional and tireless worker, Dyck shouldered a significantly larger work load during the 2022-23 season. Nearly doubling his minutes played from 2021-22, Dyck turned in many stellar efforts to help keep the Broncos in the playoff hunt. He recently has found another gear, posting a .912 save percentage over his last eight starts leading up to awards night.

King of the Road - Mathew Ward

The Broncos leading scorer as of awards night, Ward was consistent with his offensive output while at home and on the road. As of March 21, 40 of Ward's 72 points (12-28-40) came while playing on the road. Ward was held without a point in just nine of 33 road games leading up to awards night.

Chairman of the Boards - Josh Davies

Davies defended his award from last season, claiming the Chairman of the Boards honours for the second year in a row. While his offensive attributes speak for themselves, his ability to throw thunderous body checks is no doubt what his opponents fear most when lining up against him.

Coaches Award - Drew Englot

Acquired at the trade deadline from the Everett Silvertips, Englot was brought in for his leadership and experience. Mentoring the Broncos younger players about daily habits and the importance of commitment and work ethic, Englot's impact on the Broncos goes far beyond what appears on the boxscore each night.

Most Improved - Grayson Burzynski/Brady Birnie

In their second seasons with the Broncos, both Burzynski and Birnie showed major strides in their development. After posting 15 points (6-9-15) last season, Birnie shattered those numbers with 17 goals and 21 assists leading up to awards night. Burzynski also improved his offensive production, going from six points (3-3-6) to 12 points (5-7-12) in his second season.

Leading Scorer Presented by Kanuka Thuringer - TBD

Rookie of the Year - Clarke Caswell

Drafted 6th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Caswell came to Swift Current and provided excellent secondary scoring throughout the entire season. Entering awards night with 28 points (9-19-28), Caswell also had the opportunity to shine on the international stage by posting five points (2-3-5) in seven games with Team Canada Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Tom Ham Memorial Award for Top Defenseman - Owen Pickering and Sam McGinley

Both Pickering and McGinley were relied upon heavily during the 2022-23 season. Whenever one of them wasn't on the ice, most of the time the other one was. Logging heavy minutes in all situations, both players hit career highs in points this year. Pickering entered awards night with 43 points (9-34-43) and McGinley with 34 (8-26-34).

The Julie Forst Memorial Award for Most Valuable Player Presented by Pioneer Co-op - TBD

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