Broncos bid farewell with banquet and awards night

“All of a sudden you’re leaving and you feel like you just got here. It’s a fast ending, but it just teaches you to take everything in and not take anything for granted.”

Carsten Kayter, the teams top rookie of the year, has already committed to NCAA Div. 1 Omaha-Nebraska, Matthew Van Blaricom to NCAA Div. 1 Michigan Tech, and affiliated player Connor Miller has already committed to NCAA Div. 1 Augustana University.

The banquet gave these players a chance to reflect back on their careers in Humboldt and thank their families, billet families, staff and coaches for their time in the green and gold jerseys.

However, staff and coaches were more than happy to tell their leaving players that “once a Bronco, always a Bronco.”

“To all the 20 year olds who won’t be back next year, I wish you guys all the best in your future endeavors,” head coach Scott Barney said during his farewell speech. “Anytime you need to reach out, I’m sure (assistant coach) Carter would say the same, please call us. It doesn’t have to be about hockey…please never hesitate to give us a call.”

Barney also had a message for the players coming back; the work isn’t done.

“Each of your individual successes will be measured by the hard work you put in now and trust me, the next time we step on the ice, our goal will be to make each other better every single day.”

Each graduating player sat down with northeastNOW to reflect on their time in Humboldt. Here is what they had to say:

“Going over to billets’ houses and playing with their kids, or having fun and you go to the schools and you get to sign all the kids jerseys and they love to see you. Eventually you score like one big goal in your career that you’re gonna remember as well so you have that, but I think most of the memories are all off ice. I got some of my friends that I’ll have for a lifetime.” – Sam Marburg, #8

“I always get lots of support after the fights at home, just listening to the crowd after a couple of those, those are always the highlights. It’s a special group here, so I’ll remember them forever.” – Connor Casparie, #22

“It was a great year, obviously a lot of good guys and it was just awesome to be in the community and how tight the Broncos are. It’s just awesome.” – Jacob Boucher, #38

“The last five years I’ve been a part of the Broncos organization, whether starting camp and leaving but coming back, it’s always been a place I called home. It’s been very difficult the last couple of days processing that and eventually leaving, so it’s bittersweet.” – Chase Lacombe, #58

“Just being at the rink every day with the guys, for practice, after practice, just shooting it with the boys and going out for lunch with them. Just a little stuff. My billets, obviously gonna miss them big time, but just the people for sure.” – Lucas Ceccarelli, #61

“There’s no other place I’d rather be to end it. This town’s treated me so good and especially my family as well. If I were to tell any players that start in their junior career, it’s definitely a place to be. It’s a great organization and Scott, Carter, obviously Skip, all the staff and the board members, (they’ve) always been great to me.” – Ben Kotylak, #91

“The easiest way to sum it up was probably just the best time of my life honestly, like, I don’t think anything went wrong in Humboldt here, from billets to coaches to teammates to just hanging out after practice. Literally everything went good, my time here was amazing, and I wouldn’t have changed any second of it.” – Alec Saretzky

Award recipients:

Elgar Petersen Award for contributions on/off the ice – Sam Marburg

Roger Nielsen Hockey Ministries Award – Ethan Zielke

Colony Motors Top Scorer – Cage Newans

107.7 Bolt FM 3 Star Award (Road Games) – Cage Newans

Parobec Fitness and Performance Fitness Award – Chase Cooke

Quality Tire 3 Star Award (Home Games) – Ethan Zielke

Great Western Brewing Company O16 Broncos Leadership Award – Chase Lacombe

Universal Sports Plus/Minus Award – Lucas Ceccarelli

Humboldt Home Hardware Fan Favourite – Connor Casperie

For the Love of the Game – Cage Newans

Alphonse Krakowka Memorial Trophy for Defensive Defenceman – Chase Lacombe

Pioneer Hotel and Motel Offensive Defenceman – Daylen Weigel

Rona Most Dedicated Player – Chase Cooke

Humboldt Co-op Hardest Worker – Noah Barlage

Hergott Farm Equipment Rookie of the Year – Carsten Kayter

Humboldt Engraving Unsung Hero Award – Benjamin Motew

Dr. Gerry Rooney Playoff MVP – Tim Kim

Conexus Credit Union Most Valuable Player – Ethan Zielke

Coach’s Award Best Team Player – Lucas Ceccarelli

Furthest from Home – Xavier Roy

Go Getter Award – Ben Kotylak

Education Award – Tristan Serrao

Citizenship Award – Sam Marburg

Good Wingman Award – Connor Casperie

Physical Fitness Awards – Quinn Myles, Chase Cooke, Alec Saretzky

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim

by Becky Zimmer

Broncos bid farewell with banquet and awards night

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