Broncos haul in players and picks at WHL trade deadline

Ethan Regnier STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER

The Swift Current Broncos continued to compile assets at the Western Hockey League deadline as they made three deals that sent two players and one pick out and brought in four players and three draft picks on Friday.

The Broncos opened their day with a six-piece trade that sent captain Ethan Regnier and import defenseman Kasper Puutio to the Everett Silvertips. The centerpiece of the return package was a coveted first round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft as well as a second round pick in the 2022 draft. The Bronco also received import forward Martin Fasko-Rudas and 2001-born defenseman Parker Hendren.

Hendren, a 6’0’’ defenseman from Regina, has played 74 games with the Vancouver Giants and Silvertips

The Broncos next made a one-for-one deal with the Brandon Wheat Kings to acquire 2002-born defenseman Bode Hagan for a sixth round pick in the 2021 draft. The Alsike, AB native has four assists in 18 games during his rookie season in the WHL.

The Broncos subsequently flipped Fasko-Rudas to the Saskatoon Blades for three pieces, including 2001-born forward Matej Toman. They also acquired prospect Cale Ashcroft, who was the Blades fourth round pick last year, and a sixth round pick in 2022.

Toman, a native of the Czech Republic, has 12 points in 37 games with the Prince George Cougars and the Blades in his second WHL season. Ashcroft, a defenseman from St. Albert, has eight points in six games with the Northern Alberta Extreme Elite 15’s.

The Broncos, who are currently last in the WHL, will visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday and the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday. Their next home action will be Wednesday when they host the Hitmen.