Top Ten Broncos of all Time

[Willis on the Welfare]

With the career of Luke Hunter drawing to end it gets one thinking about other Bronco greats that have come and gone. My picks for the Top Ten players ever to play for the Broncos (starting 1986):

10. Tyler Wright. The highest drafted Bronco ever. A first round pick of the Edmonton Oilers 12th overall. Wright had 32 points as a rookie, then exploded for 92 as a 17 year old. In 233 games as a Bronco, Wright had 271 points. If we think Derek Dorsett can get in the oppositon's head, you should have seen Wright. 295 penalty minutes in 91-92 to lead the Broncos.

9. Geoff Sanderson 198 games 234 points. A scratch on the 1989 Memorial cup team, Sanderson went NHL at age 19 in 91. With him the Broncos may have had back to back championship runs in 91-92 and 92-93. His three years as a Bronco helped develope the 1993 WHL champions.

8. Kimbi Daniels A controversial pick, Daniels was so full of talent, but a combustable personality had a hand in de-railing what many would call a can't miss NHL career. The downtown Subway restaurant used to be a drugstore. Kimbi driving his car into the drugstore was part of his storied tenure in Swift. Kimbi holds a CHL record 7 goals in one game vs. Medicine Hat. 207 games as a Bronco, 273 points. Kimbi scored the tieing goal in the 3rd period to send the 1989 mem cup game to overtime.

7. Jason Krywulak Unless the style of the WHL changes dramatically Krywulak's club record 81g and 81a for 162 points should be in place for all of eternity. Krywulak broke Joe Sakic's single season records for goals and points. Krywulak, who was dangerous around the net lacked the skill of Sakic. The Bronco's head coach at the time joked Krywulak beating Sakic is like Mr. Ed beating Secretariot. 144 games as a Bronco, 264 points.

6. Tim Tisdale 166 games as a Bronco, 214 points. "Tizzy" missed much of the 87-88 season playing only 32 games, but returned bigtime in 88-89 leading the Broncos in scoring and putting home the 1989 mem cup scoring the most important goal in Bronco history.

5. Scott, Trevor and Darren, The Krugers Putting three players in one spot may seem against the rules, but dammit it's my list. When the Broncos moved back to Swift in 1986, people were not yet aware of Joe Sakic. The Broncos draw to the rink was a 5'8 local kid named Scott Kruger. He certainly helped pack the rink, and let the WHL know that the Broncos were in Swift Current to stay. Scott was one of four Broncos lost in the bus crash. 36 games, 56 points.
Trevor was the Broncos starting goalie in 88 and 89. in 89 his GAA was 4.01, grotesque by today's standards, but he'd always make the save late in the game to get the win. He also had a better outlet pass than half the d-men in today's WHL.
Darren played two seasons in Swift The twin brother of Trevor, he had 87 assists in 1989, quarterbacked argueably the most dangerous powerplay ever seen in this league and assisted on the 1989 mem cup winning goal. 141 games as a Bronco, 145 points. Totals for the Krugers: 310 games, 215 points (including 14 assists by goalie Trev.)

I'll have #5 to 1 up later this week. Feel free to debate and make your own lists. These are just my thoughts.

[ointhecreek]

So far I can't disagree with any of them, some great players. I always picked Kimbi to go far in the NHL. He was a gifted player, its to bad he got derailed. One player I will always remember that also lost his life in the bus crash is Chris Mantyka. Man could this kid fight! He fought the toughest guys in the league and usualy won. Thing is, he was one of the nicest kids off the ice, generous to a fault and would always spend time with the younger kids.I'm sure he would have given Tidball a good scrap.
Looking forward to the rest of your picks. :thumb:

[Scout]

This kid was all class. I remember when in training camp we had a guy named Mike Pawlenchuk (spelling). This guy was huge, something like 6'7" 250lbs. On the scrimmage Chris challenges Mike and takes him in the fight. Chris was so pumped after the fight he was giving everyone hi fives. Away from the rink you would never meet a nicer kid. He used to pump gas at Fas Gas and always had a smile and a good joke. He is truly missed.

Can't wait for Willis's top five. Alot of great players have come thru our system. I think i know who #1 will be.

Scout

[Willis on the Welfare]

I'm glad the subject of Chris Mantyka was brought up. Mr. Personality off the ice, a true enforcer on the ice. Who will ever forget the beating he gave Kevin Kaminski? Rights and lefts and linesmen afraid to get in front of them. The eye of the tiger, the mustache, show boating to the crowd Tidball would be proud of; the whole package. If this list was the top ten most memorable Broncos, Mantyka would be top five. Let's roll on with a few more top ten names. Keep in mind I have a huge bias for the 86-93 period in Bronco history. I didn't see alot of hockey from 1995-2001.

#5 (tie) Luke Hunter I'm tieing the number five spot with the Krugers and Luke Hunter. All local boys who understand what being a Bronco is all about. A five year man and captain for two seasons, Hunter personifies what being a Bronco is all about. Think back over the career of Hunter. Images of Luke refusing help off the ice as a 17 year old, limping to the bench. Skating to the bench after blocking another shot while penalty killing. The scrap with Kyle Chipchura, the scrap with Dustin Boyd. Another faceoff win, multiple point games, the speech he gave at last years awards banquet, the smile he gave EVERY fan that shook his hand no matter how the team was doing, Luke being reduced (in a good way) to tears when asked about finishing his career as a Bronco. Think of the way he treats kids at PR events. It wasn't "public relations" for Luke it was a chance to meet new friends. Luke made many. Now that I think about it I should put him higher on the list...

#4 Sergei Varlamov One of two Broncos to win CHL player of the year. 5'10, 200 pounds a skilled euro style with enough power forward to make Swift Current fans happy. 199 games as a Bronco 248 points. (note: I didn't go to alot of Bronco games from 94-01, I didn't see Varlamov play much. I have a bias for the 86-94 period. LONG LIVE THE HORSESHOE LOGO!)

#3 Sheldon Kennedy If you never saw Sheldon play in Swift Current, imagine Ned Lukacevic speed and skill with Josh Aspenlind passion. Breath taking speed and a reckless abandon style, Kennedy was never a team MVP, but helped lead the Broncos to a 1989 mem cup. All personal stuff aside Kennedy was an all time great. Whether he is ever inducted into the Bronco Hall of Fame is a debate for someone else. Based on his on ice performance he's a shoe in. 159 games 287 points.

Numbers 3 to 1 later this week.

[Flathead]

10- Tim Tisdale, 139 points 88-89 season and the biggest goal in Bronco history.

9-Rick Girard,46th overall pick in his draft year, 3rd for most single season points with 141.

8-Kimbi Daniels, 44th pick in his draft year. All the talent in the world, probally still the nicest, smoothest skater I've ever seen. holds record for 7 goals in one game.

7-Jason Krywulak, most single season points 162 pts. not taking anything away from Jason but he did play 8 more games than Sakic.

6-Sergei Varlomov,97-98 CHL player of the year. 199 games, 248 points.

5-Tyler Wright, Highest drafted Bronco/1st round 12th overall. 233gms, 271 pts, 647 pims. Willis compared him Dorsett, good comparison, but Wright was a lot better.

4-Todd Holt, Career point record holder 423 points. Career goals leader 216. Second career assists 207. Also second with most games played.

3-Dan Lambert, 108 points as a dman in 88-89 along with 158 pims. Most career assists 244. Only Dan's lack of size held him to only 28 games in the NHL. In today's NHL, I think he would be playing.

2-Sheldon Kennedy-Willis sums up Kennedy to a tee. Combine Ned and Aspenlind into one player. He definitely played with a reckless abandon. 159 games/287 points. Would have had a long NHL career, but we all know that story.

1-Joe Sakic- He's Joe Sakic. I could leave it at that. 136 games/293 points. 87-88 chl player of the year, where he averaged 2.5 points per game.

Wow what a hard thing to try and do! here's a few other names I fought over, in no particular order; Sanderson, Rosival, Schnieder, Larsen, Sopel, Ulmer, Williams, White, Kasowski, Krugers, Ondrus, Szysky, McCambridge, Redenbach, Soberlak, McGill, Wilkie, McLeary, Malkoc, Kohn, Hnidy, Herpberger, Hunter, Moir although he has another year.

I too did the 86 thing.

[Red Dog]

I do like your selections Flathead but my god how do you not put Trottier in there. He has one more stanley cups then the entire top ten. Not to mention he is in the Hall of fame and grew up just south of Swift.

[Scout]

Yes Trottier was one of the best as was Tiger. Willis is a young pup and wasen't around for them. There are so many that came out of this storied franchise it is hard to pick 10. My fav. for determination was Chris Sysky. Was not a big scorer but man did he hit. He thru more open ice hits than any and when he hit you against the boards you went thru them. He was a true spark plug and got the team going with those patented hits. God i loved that guy.

He was also all class. When my daughter graduated, they had the first dance. Chris was sitting in the stands in a suit. Not sure where his date was but there was a bigger girl who had no date. As they started the first dance, this girl stood in the middle by herself as everyone else had a dance with their escort. Chris got up, walked down to ice level, went up to this girl, took her arm and started to waltz with her. I know he never knew her but took it upon himself to make this girl remember this night the rest of her life. Class, all class by our team captain at that time.

Scout

[Flathead]

I do like your selections Flathead but my god how do you not put Trottier in there. He has one more stanley cups then the entire top ten. Not to mention he is in the Hall of fame and grew up just south of Swift.
I was doing from the return of the broncos in 86. Obviously if it was from the start of the franchise, trottier would be number 2 imo, behind Sakic.

[Willis on the Welfare]

I have a few spors where I copped out and tied players. I realize this isn't a true top ten. Take out the bottom three if you want my actual Top ten.

#3 Todd Holt (Tie) All time Bronco point getter, cousin of Theo Fleury. Drafted against all odds by San Jose. Central scouting had him listed as 5'5 135 pounds. Pure on ice excitement, the Broncos always had to have Darren McLean, Brent Bilodeau, Dean Malkoc or Ryan Brown around. Holt could skate, score and agitate. 338 games 423 points.

#2 Andy Schneider (tie) The Broncos made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth in 89-90, thanks in large part to Schneider who came to the team in a three for one deal earlier that year. In 92-93 a 20 year old Schneider helped Jason Krywulak to his 81g and 81 assists. Krywulak may hold the record for most points and goals in a season but there is a reason he's #7 and Schneider is #2 on this list. Krywulak was Mike Bossy, Schneider was Bryan Trottier. Quite possibly the smartest Bronco on ice ever and an amazing play maker, Schneider seemed to be the glue that held together the talented 1993 championship team. Schneider seldom had an off game. How he played dictated how well the Broncos did. 212 games, 312 points. How amazing was Schneider???so good I have him tied with....

#2 Joe Sakic (tie) This list is greatest Broncos ever, not greatest alumni, for that reason I had to put Joe 2nd for the fact he only played 136 games as a Bronco. No one around at the time will ever forget the night he tied Theo Fleury in league scoring the last game of the year. The "Joe" chants that came after that were deafening. First Bronco 1st round draft pick 15th overall by Quebec (2 picks after Dean Chynoweth went to the Islanders) and a CHL player of the year, talent like his comes around once a lifetime. 136 games as a Bronco scoring 293 points.

I only have one player who tops my list..I gotta be in the right mood to write about this guy..Number one coming up...

[Willis on the Welfare]

#1 Dan Lambert Best Bronco ever. 66 points in 68 games as a rookie, all time Bronco assist leader, captain of the Mem Cup team; 5'8 d-man Danny Lambert. In the 89-90 season the Broncos unloaded almost every vet they had for youngsters. The only vet of value viewed as untradable...Dan Lambert. One of the proudest facts we have as Bronco fans is 30+ years of never missing the playoffs. Had it not been for Dan Lambert that streak would have ended sixteen years ago in 1990. Lambert captained a very young team to the 1990 playoffs. In the WHL playoffs leading up to the Memorial Cup Lambert had 28 points in 12 games. 28 points in 12 games in the PLAYOFFS!?!?! As an 18 year old!?!!?!? His career in Europe is almost over. If he wants, he will coach junior hockey somewhere...and his team will win....alot.

Hope you enjoyed the read.

[ointhecreek]

I enjoyed the read alot but I got to disagree with your top two. I can't see anyone topping Joe anytime. As far as I'm concerned they should retire his number 19 after Hunter is gone. Danny was a great player, but is 2nd to joe. Just my opinion.
I withdraw the nomination for mayor, LOL. :p

[Scout]

I asked that once but i can't remember who i talked to. I was told because of the 8-9-11-22 being retired they didn't want to tarnish the reason why these numbers were retired and want us to keep them in our memory forever.

Scout

[ointhecreek]

I asked that once but i can't remember who i talked to. I was told because of the 8-9-11-22 being retired they didn't want to tarnish the reason why these numbers were retired and want us to keep them in our memory forever.

Scout
I can understand that now, makes sense, and I agree. Thanks Scout.

[Toswammi]

The broncos will never retire another number, simply due to the reasons the first four are retired.
And how about Lambert coaching in swift, i would love to see that. I was publically wishing for it during the last two coaching changes.

[Willis on the Welfare]

It's easy to debate Sakic vs. Lambert for best ever. More reasons why I chose Lambert:

Four things Bronco fans are proud of.

1. Being the junior club of Joe Sakic: Joe 1 Danny 0
2. 1989 Memorial Cup. Dan Lambert playoff MVP (granted Joe would have helped if he wasn't being robbed for NHL rookie of the year at the time) Joe 1 Danny 1
3. 30+straight years of playoffs. Would have ended in 1990 had Lambert not led the team to the playoffs. Joe 1 Danny 2
4. 1993 WHL Championship. While they didn't have any direct involvement, Lambert still helped out in training camp a few years after leaving Swift. It's a stretch, but Danny 3, Joe 1.
Plus Lambert's name is still in the Bronco record book, and he played more games as a Bronco. Joe is far and away the most successful alumni and the most talented Bronco ever. Joe's hockey card will always fetch more than Danny Lambert's. I just think when the only criteria is time with the Broncos, Lambert gets the edge.

[2,5,andagame]

I agree with the Bronco's in not retiring more number, but as an alternative would like to see something similar to what the Maple Leafs do, although it really hurts for me to admit I like even one thing the Leafs do.

This comes from the Leafs site under History - Honoured Past

Honoured Players Process Different For Leafs
The 1990s symbolized a new era for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Leafs alumni. The Leafs embraced and welcomed Leafs alumni like never before. Together, the Leafs and Leafs alumni have since worked more closely together for the good of the community and in recognizing distinguished Maple Leafs from all generations.

During the initial phases, the Leafs organized discussions with various Leafs alumni members and Leafs management that culminated with the establishment of the policy regarding the honouring of players.

It was felt that not retiring player sweaters gives the Leafs the flexibility of honouring more of these individuals than would be the case if the Leafs took the sweater numbers out of circulation.

The consulting group determined that the former player’s number would be deemed an “Honoured Number” but remain in circulation. As a means of adding significance to this, the sweater of the current Maple Leaf that has the “Honoured Number” wears a special shoulder patch with the honouree's name inscribed for the balance of that season. The special banner for the honouree remains on permanent display at Air Canada Centre.

The Leafs historically only retired numbers of distinguished players that have died or had their career shortened due to tragic or catastrophic circumstances while being a member of the team. Irvine (Ace) Bailey (No. 6) and Bill Barilko (No. 5) are the two represented in this category.


This would fit well with the situation in Swift, as a way to recognize former players, but still show the proper respect to the four retired numbers. I don't know how it would fit in with the hall of fame, but can you imagine the game where Sakic's banner would get hung up, the expansion wouldn't look big enough!

[RDRebelsfan]

I'm going to put in plugs for some former Bronco players that play for our senior AAA team:

Chad Beagle
Bryce Wandler
Brett Allan

[Flathead]

I'm going to put in plugs for some former Bronco players that play for our senior AAA team:

Chad Beagle
Bryce Wandler
Brett Allan
Brett Allan did nothing in Swift. I don't know who was worse for all the hype about them and then being terrible, Allan or Schulz??

[ointhecreek]

Brett Allan did nothing in Swift. I don't know who was worse for all the hype about them and then being terrible, Allan or Schulz??
I still say Schulz by far. He has my vote for worst ever.