The Humboldt Broncos and Swift Current Broncos share the same nickname, and now will share something else in common; both will have served as employers of Dean Brockman, after the former Humboldt head coach was named head coach and Director of Hockey Operations in Swift Current.
“I’m very happy to be given this opportunity and be a part of this historic franchise,” said Brockman in a press release. “Being from Saskatchewan, I am familiar with the community and how much the Swift Current Broncos mean to the greater Southwest. It’s a huge reason why I am ecstatic to be here and can’t wait to get started.”
Brockman joins the Broncos after spending the previous four seasons with the Saskatoon Blades, the first two as an assistant coach and the last two as head coach. The Blades missed the playoffs in each of Brockman’s four seasons with the club.
Prior to his stop in Saskatoon, Brockman spent the previous 17 seasons coaching with the Broncos, beginning in 1997 as an assistant before being promoted to the top job in 2004, a position he held until 2014 when he joined the Blades.
In his 10 seasons as head coach of the green and gold Brockman led the club to three trips to the Royal Bank Cup, winning once, and losing in the final and semi-final of two others. The St. Benedict native also took the green and gold to four Anavet Cups, winning three, five league finals winning four, and brought home five regular season pennants.
Brockman’s Broncos did not miss the playoffs in any of his ten seasons.
Brockman also coached at two World Junior A Challenge events, winning gold in 2011 as an assistant coach and silver in 2012 as head coach.
The Swift Current Broncos list Brockman as a modern player’s coach, who understands players, and can appreciate having to lead the Canadian Hockey League’s smallest market team.
His teams are characterized as fast-paced, puck hungry, hardworking, and aggressive in all three zones, says the Broncos.
“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 press release. “We are looking forward to working with and getting to know Coach Brockman while we defend the WHL Championship and Ed Chynoweth Cup.”
Brockman replaces former Broncos head coach Emanuel Viveiros who left the club to accept an assistant coaching job with the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers.
