HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Broncos U18 AA hockey team is seeking success in the 2022 portion of its season.
The squad, which draws players from the region, had an 11-8-3 record in the Centre Four Hockey League, as of Sunday. Head coach Eric Sundholm believes his team, which beat Prince Albert 6-3 on Friday, is better than its record.
“We got the potential to be a top team in the league,” Sundholm said. “We’ve given up some games we probably shouldn’t have. I really, really like the outlook. I think that the team has the potential to make some noise in the playoffs.”
The coach believes in the team’s skill, ability and compete level. The focus going forward, Sundholm said, is getting the players to believe in themselves.
“We’re a better team than they think they are,” he said.
Offensively, the Broncos are led by Ty Sundholm. The forward has 33 points, including 14 goals, in 24 games through Sunday. Edward Knittig leads the squad in goals with 15 and is second in points with 27. Rounding out the team’s top five scorers are Tyler Gudjonson (22), Ghyphum Muyco (22), and Hayden Smart (19). Also contributing at forward are Matthew Porter, Tristin Ziola, Michael Burechailo, Matthew Solar, and Hadley Nakonechny.
“We have three, four lines that can score,” Coach Sundholm said. “If we can get it all together and they can all score in the same game, there is nobody that can touch us.”
On the backend, the coach is pleased with his mix of veterans and first year players. Rookie Thomas Ries paces the Broncos blue line with 17 points and seven goals. Fellow rookie Rhett Vedress and veteran Luke Schlosser have 14 points each. The Broncos backend also includes Sean Brochu, Rylen Leroux, and Dexter Gusikoski.
“It makes it a lot easier when you got the age, the youth and everybody contributes equally,” said Sundholm, who noted he believes some of his young defencemen are ready for the next level.
In net this season, the Broncos boast Bradley Ries and Hunter Nakonechny. Sundholm said both have won some big games this season. Ries is in his second campaign with the club after getting some experience in last winter’s COVID-19 shortened season. He has has a 3.48 goals against average.
“As of late, he’s been coming on,” Sundholm said. “He missed some games earlier and I used Hunter (who has a 4.40 GAA), who is a (2006-born) goalie. He played above and beyond what I expected. Really, really happy with the goalies.”
This year’s regular roster includes players from Wakaw, Drake, Choiceland, Humboldt, Wynyard, Cudworth, Margo, Viscount, Annaheim, and Naicam. In addition to its regulars, the team has utilized affiliated players in Ty Dauvin, Dallen Jule, Reidar Armstrong, Jackson Beggs, Wyatt Kreutzwieser, AJ Paulsen, and Jase McNichol.
