The search for Manny Viveiros’ replacement has come to an end. The Swift Current Broncos officially announced on Wednesday that they have hired Dean Brockman as their Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations.
Brockman spent the previous four seasons with the Saskatoon Blades. He was an Assistant Coach with the Blades for two seasons and then compiled a 63-68-10-3 record as the Head Coach over the past two seasons. He will now become the eighth head coach in Swift Current Broncos history.
“To be honest with you it’s really humbling. When you think of the past and the history of this organization you can just beam and smile and it just fills your heart with so much emotions,” said Brockman.
The Blades announced that they had relieved Brockman of his duties on March 18 after the Blades missed the playoffs despite having the sixth most points in the Eastern Conference.
Viveiros left the Broncos after two seasons to become an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League.
Beginning in 1997, Brockman spent 17 seasons with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos and became their head coach in 2004. He was an Anavet Cup Champion in 2012, three-time Royal Bank Cup Champion, represented Canada for the World Junior A Challenge in both 2011 and 2012; and was named the SJHL’s Coach of the Year four times.
Brockman has been described as a modern player’s coach whose teams can be described as fast paced, puck hungry, hardworking, and aggressive in all three zones. He has also been described as one of the nicest people you will ever meet in hockey.
“The Broncos Personnel Committee was impressed with Dean’s ability to build and to maintain relationships with players, parents, staff and community while at the same time getting the best out of his team,” said Broncos Board Chair, Trent McCleary in a team issued statement. “We are looking forward to working with and getting to know Coach Brockman while we defend the WHL Championship and Ed Chynoweth Cup.”
Brockman sounded ecstatic to be in charge of the Broncos in the Canadian Hockey League’s smallest market.
“When you drive around town, there’s no better place to be. It may be small, but the heart is big here. It’s Bronco hockey. Just to be a part of it, a minuscule part of it, I feel very honoured,” said Brockman.
He has big shoes to fill after Viveiros led the Broncos to the Ed Chynoweth Cup in two seasons.
“Obviously we want to regain that magic that appeared here in the last season, two seasons. Certainly it is going to take some time, but we are going to work hard towards that goal again. I think I’m motivated to work extremely hard with, I just met some people today and you can just see the passion in their eyes on what this organization means,” said Brockman.
Brockman is very familiar with Swift Current and the Innovation Credit Union iplex after coaching an East Division rival for the past four seasons.
“Every time you came in this rink as an opposition coach you could just sense that this is a hockey town. It’s just so exciting because to have that and to be a part of the community and just know how important it is just thrills me to death.”
Born and raised in St Benedict, Saskatchewan, Brockman grew up on the family farm 30 miles northwest of Humboldt. Dean’s greatest influences and his biggest fans and supporters are his wife Cheryl, step son Connor and son Parker. He loves all sports and when he is not at the rink, he enjoys fishing and golf.
