Owen Pickering, Josh Filmon and Mathew Ward Named Central Division All-Stars
March 28, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release
Swift Current, Sask. - The Swift Current Broncos are pleased to announce that Owen Pickering and Josh Filmon (1st-Team) and Mathew Ward (2nd Team) have been named Central-Division All Stars for the 2022-23 season. The All-Star teams are voted on by Western Hockey League general Managers.
Pickering, from St. Adolphe, Man., wrapped up his third season with the Broncos by setting a new career high in points with 45 (9-36-45). Drafted 177th overall in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, Pickering has developed into a number one defenceman in the WHL and was named the Broncos team captain at the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
Pickering's stock rose all throughout the 2021-22 season, culminating with him being drafted 21st overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2022 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins on July 16, 2022.
Filmon, from Winnipeg, Man., exploded in his third season with the Broncos by racking up 75 points (47-28-75). Filmon's progression year-over-year has been staggering since jumping to the WHL, going from two goals in the shortened 2020-21 season, to 23 goals and 22 assists in 2021-22 and then 47 goals this past season.
Filmon's 47 goals were the most by a Broncos skater since the 2017-18 season when Tyler Steenbergen also had 47 and Glenn Gawdin recorded 56. Since the 2000-01 season, only five other players have scored 47 or more goals for the Broncos in one season. Filmon joined Layne Ulmer (63, 2000-01), Jeremy Williams (52, 2003-04), Cody Eakin (47, 2009-10), Tyler Steenbergen (51, 2016-17, 47, 2017-18) and Glenn Gawdin (56, 2017-18).
The New Jersey Devils selected Filmon with the 166th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Ward, from Kamloops, B.C., was the Broncos first choice in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, selected 14th overall. Since joining the Broncos for the 2020-21 season, Ward has been the club's leading scorer by racking up 153 points (54-99-153) in 155 games.
Ward set career highs across the board in 2022-23 by scoring 26 goals and 48 assists. He also appeared in all 68 regular season games. Ward was invited to Toronto Maple Leafs development camp in the summer of 2022.
The Broncos would like to congratulate Pickering, Filmon and Ward on their outstanding 2022-23 seasons.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2023
- Playoff Fan Fest Set for Saturday, April 1 - Portland Winterhawks
- Series Preview: (6) Everett Silvertips vs. (3) Portland Winterhawks - Portland Winterhawks
- AccessNow TV to Broadcast Regina Pats Playoffs Games for the 2022-23 Season - Regina Pats
- Series Preview: (5) Lethbridge Hurricanes vs. (4) Moose Jaw Warriors - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Series Preview: (6) Regina Pats vs. (3) Saskatoon Blades - Regina Pats
- Fiddler-Schultz and Yakemchuk Named to WHL Central Division All-Star Teams - Calgary Hitmen
- Vikman Named BC Division 1st Team All-Star - Vancouver Giants
- Four Rebels Earn Central Division All-Star Honours - Red Deer Rebels
- 2023 WHL Draft Lotteries to be Conducted Wednesday - WHL
- Klassen and Cagnoni Named U.S. Division All-Stars - Portland Winterhawks
- Defenseman Lukas Dragicevic Named to 2022-23 WHL U.S. Division First All-Star Team - Tri-City Americans
- Jackson Berezowski Named U.S. Division First-Team All-Star - Everett Silvertips
- Chase Wheatcroft & Ethan Samson Named BC Division 1st Team All-Stars - Prince George Cougars
- Owen Pickering, Josh Filmon and Mathew Ward Named Central Division All-Stars - Swift Current Broncos
- Bedard and Svozil Named WHL Eastern Division All-Stars - Regina Pats
- WHL Names 2022-23 First Team All-Stars - WHL
- Blades Sign 2006-Born Forward William James - Saskatoon Blades
- Goaltender Tomas Suchanek Named to 2022-23 U.S. Division Second All-Star Team - Tri-City Americans
- Bertholet Named to 2022-23 U.S. Division Second All-Star Team - Spokane Chiefs
- Krebs, Wiesblatt Named to Central Division Second All-Star Team - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Austin Roest Named U.S. Division Second-Team All-Star - Everett Silvertips
- Hudson Thornton & Riley Heidt Named BC Division 2nd Team All-Stars - Prince George Cougars
- Meneghin Named to WHL Central Division All-Star Team - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- WHL Names 2022-23 Second All-Star Teams - WHL
- March 28 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
