Home Sweet Elgar.
For the Humboldt Broncos, the Elgar Peterson Arena provides an environment they are proud of and a home rink that they are strongly supported in. Anthony Kapelke, captain of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) team, said it is an honour to play in a rink named for longtime Broncos and Humboldt sports supporter, Elgar Peterson. Kapelke enjoys looking at all the old team photos at the arena.
鈥淚t is awesome,鈥� said the captain who hails from Edmonton. 鈥淐oming from Alberta, there are not a lot of rinks like that. There is a lot of history there.鈥�
As of Nov. 30, the Broncos, who went 0-3 last week, were 12-13-1-0. The squad was 6-6 at home on the season. The Broncos play at Melfort on Dec. 6, but after that are looking to string together some home victories.
Humboldt hosts the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Dec. 9. Then the team plays a busy weekend at the Elgar Peterson Arena with Nipawin in town on Dec. 12. On Dec. 14, the Battlefords North Stars come to play and Flin Flon visits on Dec. 17. Kapelke said the vocal fans help create an even better atmosphere at the Elgar Peterson Arena.
鈥淭he town gives us great support,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t gets loud in there.鈥�
As for the facility itself, it is pretty much like home for Broncos assistant captain, Jarrett Fontaine. The team鈥檚 second-leading scorer grew up in Humboldt.
鈥淚 have always liked a big rink. It is a big size and the ice is quality 鈥� It is familiar surroundings.鈥�
Roster Moves
Dec. 1 was the SJHL鈥檚 cut down date. Teams need to be down to 25 carded players. Several trades are generally made around that date. Not all SJHL moves were official at the Journal鈥檚 deadline, but the Broncos reportedly picked up a pair of 20-year-olds聽 鈥� Jon Brumwell and Colton Laroque - from the Weyburn Red Wings for future considerations. Brumwell, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound forward from Calgary, had one goal and 16 penalty minutes in 23 games this season. He totaled 15 goals, 23 points, and 67 penalty minutes in 45 games last season. Laroque is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound defenceman from Saskatoon. In 25 games, he had three goals, eight points, and 20 penalty minutes as of Nov. 30.
Last Week
On Nov. 25, Humboldt fell 4-2 to Battlefords on the road. Battlefords led 1-0 after the first and second periods. Matthew Kenney and Stuart Symenuk scored for Humboldt, while Jack Romanuik made 33 saves. Scoring for the North Stars were Connor Vermeulen, Reed Delainey, Otto Mitchell, and Brady O鈥橲ullivan. Battlefords goalie Spencer Tremblay had 32 saves.
On the road Nov. 26, Humboldt lost 5-0 to Kindersley on the road. Romanuik and his Klippers counterpart, Evan Weninger, each had 33 saves. Owen LaClare and Devin Case each scored twice for Kindersley. Joel Webb also scored for the Klippers.
The Broncos lost 3-0 at home to the Notre Dame Hounds on Nov. 29. The game was scoreless after one period. The Hounds scored once in the second period and twice in the third. Humboldt goalie Brock Hamm made 25 saves. Benjamin Patt had 22 saves for Notre Dame. Scoring for the Hounds were Spencer Trapp, Ryan Donovan, and Jared Martin.
Catching Up With
Andrew Bodnarchuk (2007-2011) is in his fourth and final season at NCAA Division I Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. In November, the Saskatoon native was named the Atlantic Hockey Travel Team USA Co-Goaltender of the Week.
鈥淎ndrew鈥檚 biggest strength is he has a very high internal compete level,鈥� Sacred Heart head coach CJ Marottolo wrote in an email interview. 鈥淗e has a very calming demeanor on the outside, but inside he wants to win.鈥�
As of Nov. 30, Bodnarchuk had three wins, two losses, and two ties. He had a 2.38 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. Bodnarchuk is playing arguably his best hockey for the Pioneers.
鈥淚 have enjoyed seeing Andrew evolve in his time with us,鈥� Marottolo wrote. 鈥淗e has worked hard at honing his goaltending technique from both a physical and mental aspect. He is a great kid and his teammates love playing in front of him.鈥�
Bodnarchuk played four seasons for the Broncos and helped them win two SJHL titles. He was the SJHL鈥檚 MVP in 2010 and its Top Goaltender in 2009.
