Broncos select Dingman with first pick in 2023 draft

The Swift Current Broncos used their first pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft to select forward Sawyer Dingman 30th overall.

The 6’2’’ Edmonton product had 11 goals, 23 assists, and 60 penalty minutes in 30 games with the NAX U15 Prep team in 2022-23.

They used the 52nd overall pick to grab 6’1’’ defenseman Daxon Yerek from Oak Bluff, MB. Yerek registered four goals and 23 assists in 30 games with Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg’s U15 Prep team.

The Broncos added another defenseman in the fourth round when they selected Nathan Gray 74th overall. The Richmond, BC product registered six goals and 15 assists in 28 games with the Delta Green U15 Prep team in 2022-23.

Shaunavon’s Mason Fauser was selected 109th overall by the Broncos in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. He had 66 points in 28 games with the Swift Current U15 AAA Broncos last season. The Broncos had drafted three of his former teammates in 2022 in Parker Rondeau, Berney Weston, and Wesley Olson.

The Broncos waited until the 162nd pick to select Regina’s Keaton Lesperance. The 5’11’’ forward had 30 goals and 30 assists in 29 games with the Regina Aces this season.

They used the 184th selection to secure Calgary’s Aidan Sexsmith.  The 5’8’’ forward had 13 goals and 11 assists in 32 games with the Calgary Bisons.

The Broncos drafted forward Ryden Duchon 206th overall, in the 10th round. The 6’ forward compiled 40 goals and 19 assists in 34 games with Winnipeg Thrashers Gold in 2022-23.

The Broncos used an 11th round pick, 228th overall, to select Langley, BC’s Jayden Oleskiw. The 6’ right wing had 10 goals and 10 assists in 28 games with the Yale U15 Prep team.

The Broncos closed their draft in the 12th round when they took Winnipeg defenseman Joshua Shaganya with the 250th overall pick. He posted five goals and 12 assists in 30 games with the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg U15 Prep team.

The Broncos finished the draft with three defensemen and six forwards. They selected three players from Manitoba and two each from British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.