Swift Current hockey fans may want to keep a close eye on the Calgary Dinos men’s hockey team this season.
The Dinos recently announced three former members of the Broncos and one Swift Current product as part of a 13-player recruiting class for this season.
One of the most high profile names on that list was Graham Black, who has played the past three seasons in the American Hockey League. He registered eight points in 33 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds last season after spending his first two professional seasons with the Albany Devils. Black played three full seasons in Swift Current, concluding with a 97-point campaign in 2013-14. Black is expected to red-shirt the 2017-18 season.
Also joining the Dinos will be recent Bronco graduates Jordan Papirny and Ryan Graham.
Graham was a formidable offensive presence for the Broncos last season when he registered 28 points in 32 games after being acquired from the Saskatoon Blades before a season ending injury.
Papirny was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings at the WHL trade deadline and appeared in 17 regular season games with a 3.15 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. He was simply outstanding in the post-season with a 2.48 GAA and a .935 save percentage over 14 games. The Edmonton native finished his WHL career with 63 post-season games played.
Swift Current’s Tim Vanstone will also be joining the Dinos this season after a five-year WHL career with the Prince Albert Raiders. Vanstone appeared in 299 games with the Raiders and captained the team during the past two seasons.
Former Bronco Coda Gordon is entering his third season with the Dinos. The Cochrane product was seventh in team scoring with 16 points in 30 games last season.
The Dinos finished with a 20-12 record last season, losing in the Canada West semi-final to the University of Alberta. They open their season on Sept. 8 agains the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
