The Humboldt Broncos are filling some gaps in their roster following their fall camp this last weekend, including potential goalie, Mason Lobreau, who will be with the Broncos for the upcoming exhibition games. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Becky Zimmer

Broncos camp

Camp weekend in Humboldt narrows down Broncos’ upcoming SJHL roster

Aug 29, 2022 | 2:44 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Humboldt Broncos hit the ice on the weekend for their fall camp. The team’s coaching staff had a look at 51 players from across the country as they tried to build their roster for the upcoming season.

By the end of the weekend, 40 players competed in the Elgar Petersen Cup with Team Green facing off against Team Gold.

Team Green, featuring a number of veteran players including last year’s SJHL second leading defenceman Noah Barlage and top-ten scorer Alec Saretzky, took the trophy in a 5-2 victory.

Veterans led the scoring for Team Green with Barlage, Connor Casparie, Jaydon Jessiman, and Ethan Zielke all finding the back of the net. Broncos newcomer and 2004-born defenceman, Tristan Serrao, also lit up the scoreboard in the team’s win.

Team Gold featured other familiar names from last season, including Lucas Ceccarelli, Cage Newans, Quinn Myles, and Sam Marburg.

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Ceccarelli and Saskatoon’s Jeter Korte both found the back of the net on their side of the ice.

Head coach and general manager, Scott Barney, told northeastNOW the influx of rookie players provided a good push for the 14 Broncos veterans.“Everybody’s a good hockey player, that’s why they’re here, it’s just what little things that separates the guys.”

With 32 players now gracing the current roster, Barney said they still have some work to do with a few holes to fill.

Thirteen players from last season will not be returning to the ice for the green and gold, including league-leading scorers, Connor McGrath and Matthew Perkins.

“That’s the equivalent of losing (Connor) McDavid and (Leon) Draisaitl off your current roster but that’s why these young guys may be filling some spots, some off-season acquisition.”

The departure of record-setting goalie Rayce Ramsay has been another hit to this upcoming season’s roster as there will be some big skates to fill, said Barney.

Four goalies showed the coaching staff what they got and in the end, Mason Lobreau and Benjamin Motew will be sticking around for the beginning of the SJHL season.

Lobreau, the 2004-born product from Brandon, Man., has been with the Wheat Kings through his U15 AAA to U18 AAA seasons. His most recent season saw a .919 save percentage in 36 regular season and playoff games, including three shutouts.

Motew is coming north to play with the Broncos. The 2004-born, Glencoe, Ill. product played 15 games with the Chicago Mission 18UAAA team and finished last season with a .902 save percentage.

With their first exhibition game coming up on Friday against the Nipawin Hawks, Barney said they will see what these players can do wearing the green and gold for the first time.

Also donning the Broncos jersey for the first time will be Carsten Kayter, the team’s 47th overall pick from the SJHL Draft last spring.

Kayter told northeastNOW the fall camp has been an eye-opening experience as he makes his move from his Warman Wildcats U18AAA to the SJHL.

“Seeing all the different players, I know it’s gonna be a tight group and Barney has it all together. So I’m just hoping for a good year, good rookie season.”

The Broncos will head to Nipawin’s Centennial Arena for the first half of a home-and-home exhibition set on Friday with the Hawks coming to the Elgar Petersen Arena on Sept. 3.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim