Interim Head Coach Regan Darby met with the media on Monday to share his thoughts on the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season, only two days after the Broncos had won their final game in Moose Jaw to end the Warriors’ season, a satisfying conclusion to a challenging season.
“Yeah absolutely. Being in the situation we were in, some teams feel like they don’t have a whole lot to play for. Our guys competed hard. For them they always seemed like they had something to play for. They played for the logo. They played for each other. It was a good way to end the season,” said Darby.
The Broncos finished with a 15-44-4-5 record, but they were able to pass the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the standings with some improved results down the stretch.
“Going into the trade deadline we knew had to add a couple pieces to make us more competitive and I felt like we made the right choices with Hyde Davidson and [Colton] Alain and [Brendan] Rudolph. I feel like they brought a really good character piece and then just added some stability to this as well,” said Darby.
“I felt like the compete was there the whole year right to the end. Being in a spot where you don’t have a whole lot to play for, I felt like the guys always had something to play for. It was good to see. It shows a lot about their character and who they are as a player. Individually they want to get better, they pushed themselves in practice, and ultimately that made us better as a team.”
Darby and his staff had already met with the players as they dispersed across the continent and beyond.
“We spent some time doing exit interviews, just talking about the guys and how their seasons went individually and as a team too and then just talking about their summer plans and where they want to be at coming into next year and kind of what our expectations are from them.”
Darby and his staff did their best to keep the team moving forward this season.
“You know what, it was a great group to coach. I didn’t feel like things really got tough for us. I felt like our practice habits were good. We were focused on the process. Wins and losses are one thing, I felt like we were very process driven on development and trying to get better as a team. Individually, I felt like guys got better as players and just will help us in the future here. But I felt like they built something that we have something to look forward too.”
The Broncos dressed a league-leading 46 different players this season.
“The sickness and injuries, the sickness on the US road trip, and just a lot of injuries, yeah it was tough to manage at times, but it gave other guys opportunities. At the end of the year when we were able to get [Gavin] Harrison in, [Ashton] McCann, we had [Nolan] Pilsner, Luke Huska, Tanner Massey, it was a good opportunity to see what we have going forward for our future and what those guys can do. What a pleasant surprise, just very calming and for being inexperienced in the league they handled themselves really well in the games. With the injuries, unfortunate at times losing experienced guys, but at the same time I think it will help us for the future being able to see those guys and getting them experience so that they’re not playing their first games at the beginning of the season.”
He is hoping that better days are ahead for the Broncos.
“I just think for us we really push culture and just making the brand, we wanted a Bronco brand and we wanted a reason to play for the Broncos and a style of play too as well. We felt like we had the right players for that. Our leadership was committed to helping out the younger guys just kind of showing the way, the Bronco way and what it means to be a Bronco and just how to be competitive in the league as well. We look forward to having an identity when people come into the InnovationPlex they know it’s going to be a tough game every night.”
First-year head coach Dean DeSilva resigned on Nov. 14 after being suspended for five games for two incidents that were in breach of the WHL Standards of Conduct. Darby was named interim head coach when the suspension was initially announced.
“Unfortunate events. Unexpected. So there was a lot of conversation just with us as a coaching staff and what we were going to do and the direction we wanted to head in. The team and the guys made it an easy transition for us. The competitiveness in practice, not having to push them, they would just push themselves, made the transition easy,” said Darby. “We as a coaching staff had a direction we wanted to head in. I felt it was just more of looking toward the future and not the past and what happened and just trying to develop some stability for the guys in the room and for the club as well too.”
The Broncos Board of Directors came out publicly in January with support for the coaching staff.
“We felt support from the Board and also from the Broncos staff. I feel like, not just us, but the whole Bronco brand and the whole organization really pulled together and came together with a plan for the future. I think everybody is pulling in the right direction and I’m excited for the future of the club,” said Darby.
The Broncos are currently conducting searches for a head coach and a general manager after Chad Leslie stepped down from his position on March 23.
“I’ll take the time off here just to kind of figure out the future plans and what as an organization where I’m going to be involved with the organization and also the direction where the club wants to head. We’re going to have a lot of meetings and conversation about that. Ultimately I want what’s best for the club and the organization too as well. Whatever we need to do as a coaching staff or me as an individual we’re committed to doing that,” said Darby just prior to the announcement.
