View source for Swift Current Broncos

{{Short description|Western Hockey League team in Swift Current, Saskatchewan}}
{{About|the current Western Hockey League team|the defunct Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team|Swift Current Broncos (SJHL)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox hockey team
| team       = Swift Current Broncos
| colour      = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;
| colour text = #000000
| logo       = Swift Current Broncos.svg
| logosize   = 200px
| city       = [[Swift Current]], [[Saskatchewan]]
| league     = [[Western Hockey League]]
| conference = Eastern
| division   = East
| founded    = {{Start date|1967}}
| arena      = [[InnovationPlex]]
| colours    = Blue, green, white, black<br/>{{Color box|#061f5c}} {{Color box|#166936}} {{Color box|white}} {{Color box|black}} 
| championships      = {{plainlist|
* [[Ed Chynoweth Cup]]<br/> '''3''' ([[1988–89 WHL season|1989]], [[1992–93 WHL season|1993]], [[2017–18 WHL season|2018]])
* [[Memorial Cup]]<br/> '''1''' ([[1989 Memorial Cup|1989]])}}
* conference championship <br/> '''1''' ([[2017–18 WHL season|2018]])
| reg_season_titles = '''2''' ([[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]], [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]])
| coach      = Taras McEwen<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hockeysask.ca/news/listing/broncos-remove-interim-tag-from-head-coach-taras-mcewen|date=August 28, 2024 | title=Broncos Remove Interim Tag from Head Coach Taras McEwen |website=Hockey Saskatchewan }}</ref>
| GM         = Chad Leslie<ref>{{cite web |url=https://regina.ctvnews.ca/swift-current-broncos-head-coach-and-gm-dean-brockman-steps-down-1.5623563|title=Swift Current Broncos head coach and GM Dean Brockman steps down|website=CTV.ca |date=October 16, 2021}}</ref>
| website    = {{URL|https://chl.ca/whl-broncos/}}
| name1      = Swift Current Broncos
| dates1     = 1967–1974
| name2      = [[Lethbridge Broncos]]
| dates2     = 1974–1986
| name3      = Swift Current Broncos
| dates3     = 1986–present
| uniform_image=WHL-Uniform-SCB.png}}

The '''Swift Current Broncos''' are a Canadian major [[junior ice hockey]] team based in [[Swift Current]], [[Saskatchewan]]. Founded in 1967, the Broncos relocated to [[Lethbridge]], [[Alberta]] in 1974, and were known as the [[Lethbridge Broncos]], before returning to Swift Current in 1986. The team plays in the East Division of the [[Western Hockey League]]'s Eastern Conference, and hosts games at [[Innovation Credit Union iPlex]]. Swift Current is the smallest city with a team in the WHL, and the second smallest across the entire [[Canadian Hockey League]]. The Broncos are three-time WHL playoff champions, and won the [[1989 Memorial Cup]]. Before any of their championships, the Broncos were known for a [[Swift Current Broncos bus crash|1986 team bus crash]] that resulted in the deaths of four players.

==History==

=== Early years ===
The Broncos were founded in 1967, joining the fledgling Western Canada Hockey League. The team, playing in the league's smallest city and in the brand new Centennial Civic Centre, struggled on the ice, posting losing records in its first six seasons.<ref name=":23">{{Cite book |last1=Lapp |first1=Richard M. |url=https://archive.org/details/localheroeshisto0000lapp/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Local Heroes: A History of the Western Hockey League |last2=White |first2=Silas |publisher=Harbour Publishing |year=1993 |isbn=1-55017-080-5 |location=[[Madeira Park]], [[British Columbia]] |pages=189 |language=en-CA |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Kevin |date=2019-10-14 |title=Swift Current Broncos |url=https://www.whlarenaguide.com/broncos.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209125959/https://www.whlarenaguide.com/broncos.htm |archive-date=2022-12-09 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=WHL Arena Guide}}</ref> The Broncos finally posted a winning record and won their first playoff series in 1973–74; however, struggling to stay afloat, the team's ownership relocated the club to Lethbridge, Alberta, home to a brand new arena, after the season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Spector |first=Mark |date=2017-01-20 |title=What it takes to just not lose any money in Swift Current |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/takes-just-not-lose-money-swift-current/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122213338/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/takes-just-not-lose-money-swift-current/ |archive-date=2017-01-22 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=[[Sportsnet]]}}</ref> A new [[Swift Current Broncos (SJHL)|Swift Current Broncos]] team was founded to play in the Tier II junior [[Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League]] starting that year. However, the community desired a return to top-flight junior hockey, and by 1986 close to 200 investors banded together to purchase the Lethbridge Broncos—who had won a league championship in 1983—and return them to Swift Current as a community-owned club.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last1=Culp |first1=Leesa |title=Sudden Death: The Incredible Saga of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos |last2=Drinnan |first2=Gregg |last3=Wilkie |first3=Bob |publisher=Dundurn |year=2012 |isbn=978-1459705449 |location=Toronto |page=35}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lapp & White |title=Local Heroes |pages=191–192}}</ref>

=== 1986 team bus crash ===
{{Main|Swift Current Broncos bus crash}}

Only months into their first season back in Swift Current, on December 30, 1986, the Broncos' bus crashed in icy conditions on the way to a game in [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2016-12-30 |title=Memorial unveiled on 30th anniversary of crash that killed 4 Swift Current hockey players |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/30th-anniversary-crash-swift-current-broncos-dec30-1.3916452 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231174453/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/30th-anniversary-crash-swift-current-broncos-dec30-1.3916452 |archive-date=2016-12-31 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=[[CBC News]]}}</ref> Several players were injured and four players were killed: Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka, and Brent Ruff.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Joyce |first=Gare |date=2006-12-30 |title=Denial of Death: Why has one small hockey town turned its back on the victims of its greatest tragedy? |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?lid=tab1pos1&lpos=spotlight&page=swiftcurrent&redirected=true |website=E-Ticket: ESPN.com the Magazine |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Given the devastating tragedy, the team's board of directors discussed suspending operations for the remainder of the season. However, the players and coach, [[Graham James (ice hockey)|Graham James]], voted to continue playing, and ultimately won out over a portion of the board that tried to suspend the team. The team refused professional counseling and turned down offers from other teams to loan players to the Broncos. The team called on prospects to fill out the roster and, led by star rookie [[Joe Sakic]], who recorded 60 goals, earned the final playoff spot before bowing out in the first round.<ref name=":2" />

Since the bus crash, the team has worn a commemorative patch in remembrance of the four players killed. In memory of the players, the league renamed its annual award for best player the [[Four Broncos Memorial Trophy]]. On December 30, 2016—30 years after the crash—a two-metre tall granite memorial was unveiled at the crash site.<ref name=":3" />

=== Championships ===
The Broncos rapidly improved over the following two seasons, culminating in a 55-win season in 1988–89, securing the club's first [[Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy|Scotty Munro Trophy]] for best regular season record, led by the likes of [[Brian Sakic]], [[Dan Lambert]], and Tim Tisdale. In the playoffs, the team went undefeated en route to capturing the [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|President's Cup]] and the right to play in the 1989 Memorial Cup tournament, hosted in [[Saskatoon]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |last=Morrison |first=Scott |date=2019-02-06 |title=From Tragedy to Triumph: The story of the Swift Current Broncos |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/tragedy-triumph-story-swift-current-broncos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731211504/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/tragedy-triumph-story-swift-current-broncos/ |archive-date=2023-07-31 |access-date=2023-07-31 |work=Sportsnet}}</ref> The Broncos lost their round-robin game against the [[Saskatoon Blades]] before facing the Blades in a re-match in the tournament final—it was the first ever Memorial Cup final contested between two teams from the WHL, let alone Saskatchewan.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lapp |first1=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/memorialcupcanad0000lapp/page/152/mode/2up |title=The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship |last2=Macaulay |first2=Alec |publisher=Harbour Publishing |year=1997 |isbn=1-55017-170-4 |location=Madeira Park, B.C. |pages=236–239 |language=en-CA |url-access=registration}}</ref> Despite losing a late lead that sent the game to overtime, Tisdale scored the sudden-death winner to give the Broncos the national championship.<ref name=":22" /> The final was played less than two-and-a-half years after the 1986 bus crash.

With Graham James still at the helm, the team remained competitive for several seasons, and captured a second league championship in 1992–93. At the [[1993 Memorial Cup]], the Broncos were eliminated in a tie-breaker.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lapp & Macaulay |title=The Memorial Cup |pages=257}}</ref> After the season, James resigned and worked on establishing an expansion team, which became the [[Calgary Hitmen]]. However, three years later, allegations arose that he sexually abused [[Sheldon Kennedy]] and one other former player during their time with the Broncos in the late 1980s. James plead guilty and was ultimately convicted and sentenced to three years in prison; he would later plead guilty to sexually assaulting another Broncos player in the early 1990s, among others.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-09-15 |title=Timeline of Graham James' legal history following decision to grant him full parole |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/timeline-of-graham-james-legal-history-following-decision-to-grant-him-full-parole-1.3073813 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916195835/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/timeline-of-graham-james-legal-history-following-decision-to-grant-him-full-parole-1.3073813 |archive-date=2016-09-16 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=[[CTV News]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref>

After their 1993 league title, the Broncos would advance to just one more Conference Final before 2018, winning only a single playoff round between 2002 and 2017. 2017–18 saw the team post its most wins since 1992–93 and its fourth ever 100-point season. Led by [[Glenn Gawdin]], [[Aleksi Heponiemi]], and goaltender [[Stuart Skinner]], the Broncos survived 7-game series against the [[Regina Pats]] and [[Moose Jaw Warriors]], defeated the [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]] in the Conference Final, and then the [[Everett Silvertips]] in the Final for the Ed Chynoweth Cup and the Broncos' third league championship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nugent-Bowman |first=Daniel |date=2018-05-19 |title=What winning means to teams in the CHL's tiniest markets |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/swift-current-acadie-bathurst-battle-chls-tiniest-markets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512195849/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/swift-current-acadie-bathurst-battle-chls-tiniest-markets/ |archive-date=2024-05-12 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Sportsnet}}</ref> At the [[2018 Memorial Cup]], hosted in Regina, the Broncos were eliminated after dropping their three round-robin matches, including to the host Pats who avenged their playoff series loss.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McKenna |first=Ryan |date=2018-05-24 |title=Nick Henry's hat trick helps Pats eliminate Broncos from Memorial Cup |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/memorial-cup-regina-pats-swift-current-broncos-1.4675258 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527135326/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/memorial-cup-regina-pats-swift-current-broncos-1.4675258 |archive-date=2018-05-27 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=[[CBC Sports]] |agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref>

== Logo and jerseys ==
The Broncos' original logo featured a bucking bronco and horseshoe design with a blue and green colour scheme. The team minimized and then dropped green starting in 1995, before updating and adopting their original designs full-time in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-06-03 |title=Broncos Unveil NEW home and away Jerseys |url=https://scbroncos.com/broncos-unveil-new-home-and-away-jerseys/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511225556/https://scbroncos.com/broncos-unveil-new-home-and-away-jerseys/ |archive-date=2018-05-11 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Swift Current Broncos}}</ref>

In November 2018, a jersey honouring both the Swift Current Broncos and the [[Humboldt Broncos]]—another Saskatchewan junior team deeply affected by a [[Humboldt Broncos bus crash|fatal bus crash]] that occurred in April of that year—was unveiled and worn by both teams.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kepke |first=Cami |date=2018-11-02 |title='Swift and Bold': Broncos jersey designer honours players and his own Sask. roots |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4620339/swift-and-bold-broncos-jersey-designer-honours-players-and-his-own-sask-roots/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102190146/https://globalnews.ca/news/4620339/swift-and-bold-broncos-jersey-designer-honours-players-and-his-own-sask-roots/ |archive-date=2018-11-02 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Global News}}</ref>

Like many junior teams, the Broncos frequently adopt limited-edition and special-event jerseys. In 2023, the team temporarily re-branded as the [[Lake Diefenbaker]] Slough Sharks, unveiling a new jersey featuring a [[northern pike]] logo.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paige |first=Ally |date=2023-02-24 |title=Franchise Frenzy for Broncos limited time re-brand |url=https://swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/franchise-frenzy-for-broncos-limited-time-re-brand- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228004121/https://swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/franchise-frenzy-for-broncos-limited-time-re-brand- |archive-date=2023-02-28 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Swift Current Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zammit |first=David |date=2023-12-07 |title=Slough Sharks a boon for Broncos business |url=https://swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/slough-sharks-a-boon-for-broncos-business- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208143257/https://swiftcurrentonline.com/articles/slough-sharks-a-boon-for-broncos-business- |archive-date=2023-12-08 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Swift Current Online}}</ref>

==Season-by-season record==
'''''Note:''' GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against''

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center
|- style="background:#dddddd"
| colspan="11" |'''First Broncos (1967–1974)'''
|- align="center" style="bgcolor=#dddddd; border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;"
| '''Season''' || '''GP ''' || ''' W ''' || ''' L ''' || ''' T ''' || — || '''GF ''' || '''GA ''' || '''Points''' ||'''Finish''' || '''Playoffs'''
|- align="center"
| [[1967–68 WCJHL season|1967–68]]   || 60 || 16 || 38 || 6 || – || 242 || 343 || 38 || 9th Overall || Did not qualify
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1968–69 WCHL season|1968–69]]   || 60 || 14 || 44 || 2 || – || 186 || 329 ||30 ||  4th West || Lost quarterfinal
|- align="center"
| [[1969–70 WCHL season|1969–70]]   || 60 || 27 || 31 || 2 || – || 240 || 265|| 56 || 3rd West || Lost quarterfinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1970–71 WCHL season|1970–71]]   || 66 || 24 || 40 || 2 || – || 229 || 290 || 50 || 4th West || Lost quarterfinal
|- align="center"
| [[1971–72 WCHL season|1971–72]]   || 68 || 25 || 42 || 1 || – || 242 || 311 || 51 || 5th East || Did not qualify
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1972–73 WCHL season|1972–73]]   || 68 || 27 || 35 || 6 || – || 300 || 359 || 60 || 5th East || Did not qualify
|- align="center"
| [[1973–74 WCHL season|1973–74]]   || 68 || 35 || 24 || 9 || – || 240 || 306 || 79 || 3rd East || Lost semifinal
|- style="background:#dddddd"
| colspan="11" |'''Second Broncos (1986–present)'''
|- align="center" style="bgcolor=#dddddd; border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;"
| '''Season''' || '''GP ''' || ''' W ''' || ''' L ''' || ''' T ''' || '''OTL''' || '''GF ''' || '''GA ''' || '''Points''' ||'''Finish''' || '''Playoffs'''
|- align="center"
| [[1986–87 WHL season|1986–87]] || 72 || 28 || 40 || 4 || – || 331 || 393 || 60 || 6th East || Lost East Division quarterfinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1987–88 WHL season|1987–88]] || 72 || 44 || 26 || 2 || – || 388 || 312 || 90 || 4th East || Lost East Division semifinal
|- align="center"
| [[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]] || 72 || 55 || 16 || 1 || – || 447 || 319 || 111 || '''1st East''' || '''Won [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|Championship]] and [[Memorial Cup]]'''
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1989–90 WHL season|1989–90]] || 72 || 29 || 39 || 4 || – || 323 || 351 || 62 || 6th East || Lost in first round
|- align="center"
| [[1990–91 WHL season|1990–91]] || 72 || 40 || 29 || 3 || – || 369 || 351 || 83 || 3rd East || Lost in first round
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1991–92 WHL season|1991–92]] || 72 || 35 || 33 || 4 || – || 296 || 313 || 74 || 5th East || Lost East Division semifinal
|- align="center"
| [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]] || 72 || 49 || 21 || 2 || – || 384 || 267 || 100 || '''1st East''' || '''Won [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|Championship]]'''
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1993–94 WHL season|1993–94]] || 72 || 35 || 33 || 4 || – || 284 || 258 || 74 || 4th East || Lost East Division semifinal
|- align="center"
| [[1994–95 WHL season|1994–95]] || 72 || 31 || 34 || 7 || – || 274 || 284 || 69 || 6th East || Lost in first round
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1995–96 WHL season|1995–96]] || 72 || 36 || 31 || 5 || – || 285 || 271 || 77 || '''1st Central''' || Lost in first round
|- align="center"
| [[1996–97 WHL season|1996–97]] || 72 || 44 || 23 || 5 || – || 336 || 243 || 93 || 2nd East || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]] || 72 || 44 || 19 || 9 || – || 276 || 220 || 97 || 2nd East || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- align="center"
| [[1998–99 WHL season|1998–99]] || 72 || 34 || 32 || 6 || – || 232 || 211 || 74 || 4th East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]] || 72 || 47 || 18 || 4 || 3 || 257 || 170 || 101 || '''1st East''' || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- align="center"
| [[2000–01 WHL season|2000–01]] || 72 || 43 || 20 || 7 || 2 || 275 || 215 || 95 || '''1st East''' || Lost Eastern Conference final
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2001–02 WHL season|2001–02]] || 72 || 42 || 17 || 6 || 7 || 274 || 218 || 97 || 2nd Central || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- align="center"
| [[2002–03 WHL season|2002–03]] || 72 || 38 || 24 || 7 || 3 || 240 || 215 || 86 || 2nd Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2003–04 WHL season|2003–04]] || 72 || 36 || 29 || 7 || 0 || 234 || 209 || 79 || 4th Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center"
| [[2004–05 WHL season|2004–05]] || 72 || 22 || 41 || 6 || 3 || 135 || 218 || 53 || 5th Central || Did not qualify
|- bgcolor="#dddddd" | align="center"
| '''Season''' || '''GP''' || '''W''' || '''L''' || '''OTL''' || '''SOL''' || '''GF''' || '''GA''' || '''Pts''' || '''Finish''' || '''Playoffs'''
|- align="center"
| [[2005–06 WHL season|2005–06]] || 72 || 24 || 34 || 6 || 8 || 175 || 242 || 62 || 4th Central || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2006–07 WHL season|2006–07]] || 72 || 33 || 36 || 1 || 2 || 199 || 241 || 69 || 3rd East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center"
| [[2007–08 WHL season|2007–08]] || 72 || 41 || 24 || 1 || 6 || 244 || 205 || 89 || 3rd East || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2008–09 WHL season|2008–09]] || 72 || 42 || 28 || 1 || 1 || 258 || 220 || 86 || 3rd East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center"
| [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]] || 72 || 37 || 30 || 1 || 4 || 231 || 232 || 79 || 3rd East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" 
| [[2010–11 WHL season|2010–11]] || 72 || 26 || 44 || 0 || 2 || 181 || 260 || 54 || 6th East || Did not qualify
|- align="center"
| [[2011–12 WHL season|2011–12]] || 72 || 27 || 37 || 2 || 6 || 216 || 272 || 62 || 5th East || Did not qualify
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" 
| [[2012–13 WHL season|2012–13]] || 72 || 36 || 29 || 3 || 4 || 206 || 193 || 79 || 3rd East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center"
| [[2013–14 WHL season|2013–14]] || 72 || 38 || 25 || 3 || 6 || 248 || 229 || 85 || 2nd East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee" 
| [[2014–15 WHL season|2014–15]] || 72 || 34 || 33 || 1 || 4 || 221 || 245 || 73 || 3rd East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|- align="center"
| [[2015–16 WHL season|2015–16]] || 72 || 24 || 38 || 7 || 3 || 189 || 249 || 58 || 5th East || Did not qualify
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2016–17 WHL season|2016–17]] || 72 || 39 || 23 || 4 || 6 || 247 || 239 || 88 || 3rd East || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|- align="center"
| [[2017–18 WHL season|2017–18]] || 72 || 48 || 17 || 5 || 2 || 284 || 213 || 103 || 2nd East || '''Won [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|Championship]]'''
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2018–19 WHL season|2018–19]] || 68 || 11 || 51 || 4 || 2 || 135 || 301 || 28 || 6th East || Did not qualify
|-align="center"
| [[2019–20 WHL season|2019–20]] || 63 || 10 || 48 || 2 || 3 || 129 || 298 || 25 || 6th Central || ''Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Canada|COVID-19 pandemic]]''
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2020–21 WHL season|2020–21]] || 24 || 6 || 16 || 2 || 0 || 72 || 108 || 14 || 7th East || ''No playoffs were held due to COVID-19 pandemic''
|-align="center"
| [[2021–22 WHL season|2021–22]] || 68 || 26 || 35 || 5 || 2 || 181 || 246 || 59 || 4th Central || Did not qualify
|-align="center"bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2022–23 WHL season|2022–23]] || 68 || 31 || 33 || 1 || 3 || 227 || 242 || 66 || 5th Central || Did not qualify
|-align="center"
| [[2023–24 WHL season|2023–24]] || 68 || 40 || 22 || 4 || 2 || 286 || 239 || 86 || '''1st Central''' || Lost Eastern Conference semifinal
|-align="center"bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| [[2024–25 WHL season|2024–25]] || 68 || 35 || 30 || 1 || 2 || 240 || 256 || 73 || 4th East || Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal
|}

==Championship history==
{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}
* '''Memorial Cup''': [[1989 Memorial Cup|1989]]
* '''[[Ed Chynoweth Cup]] (3)''': [[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]], [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]], [[2017–18 WHL season|2017–18]]
* '''[[Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy]] (2)''': [[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]], [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]
* '''Regular Season Division Champions (6)''': [[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]], [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]], [[1995–96 WHL season|1995–96]], [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]], [[2000–01 WHL season|2000–01]], [[2023–24 WHL season|2023–24]]

=== WHL Championship ===
*[[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]]: '''Win''', 4–0 vs [[Portland Winterhawks|Portland Winter Hawks]]
*[[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]: '''Win''', 4–3 vs [[Portland Winterhawks|Portland Winter Hawks]]
*[[2017–18 WHL season|2017–18]]: '''Win''', 4–2 vs [[Everett Silvertips]]

=== Memorial Cup Championship ===

* 1989: '''Win''', 4–3 (OT) vs [[Saskatoon Blades]]

==Players ==
=== NHL alumni ===
{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}
{{Columns-list |colwidth=15em|

*[[Blair Atcheynum]]
*[[Warren Babe]]
*[[Ryan Bast]]
*[[Ken Baumgartner]]
*[[Rollie Boutin]]
*[[Willie Brossart]]
*[[Colby Cave]]
*[[Jakub Čutta|Jakub Cutta]]
*[[Kimbi Daniels]]
*[[Jake DeBrusk]]
*[[Ron Delorme]]
*[[Ed Dyck]]
*[[Gary Emmons]]
*[[Kris Foucault]]
*[[Dallas Gaume]]
*[[Glenn Gawdin]]
*[[Larry Giroux]]
*[[Josh Green (ice hockey)|Josh Green]]
*[[Dillon Heatherington]]
*[[Aleksi Heponiemi]]
*[[Ian Herbers]]
*[[Chris Herperger]]
*[[Shane Hnidy]]
*[[Milan Hnilička|Milan Hnilicka]]
*[[Joel Hofer]]
*[[Bill Hogaboam]]
*[[Earl Ingarfield Jr.]]
*[[Jason Jaffray]]
*[[Trent Kaese]]
*[[Sheldon Kennedy]]
*[[Ladislav Kohn]]
*[[Don Kozak]]
*[[Maxime Lajoie]]
*[[Dan Lambert]]
*[[Lane Lambert]]
*[[Brad Larsen]]
*[[Jim Leavins]]
*[[Brett Lernout]]
*[[Adam Lowry]]
*[[Beck Malenstyn]]
*[[Dean Malkoc]]
*[[Dean McAmmond]]
*[[Trent McCleary]]
*[[Ryan McGill]]
*[[Todd McLellan]]
*[[Jim McTaggart]]
*[[Craig Millar (ice hockey)|Craig Millar]]
*[[John Negrin]]
*[[Lawrence Nycholat]]
*[[Jaroslav Obšut|Jaroslav Obsut]]
*[[Bill Oleschuk]]
*[[Ben Ondrus]]
*[[Colton Orr]]
*[[Ed Patterson]]
*[[Lane Pederson]]
*[[Paul Postma]]
*[[Kelly Pratt (ice hockey)|Kelly Pratt]]
*[[Pokey Reddick]]
*[[Jeremy Reich]]
*[[Michal Rozsíval|Michal Rozsival]]
*[[Terry Ruskowski]]
*[[Joe Sakic]]
*[[Geoff Sanderson]]
*[[Andy Schneider (ice hockey, born 1972)|Andy Schneider]]
*[[Dave Schultz (ice hockey)|Dave Schultz]]
*[[Cam Severson]]
*[[Trevor Sim]]
*[[Nathan Smith (ice hockey, born 1982)|Nathan Smith]]
*[[Zack Smith (ice hockey)|Zack Smith]]
*[[Brent Sopel]]
*[[Stuart Skinner]]
*[[Rocky Thompson]]
*[[Ryan Tobler]]
*[[Bryan Trottier]]
*[[Layne Ulmer]]
*[[Sergei Varlamov]]
*[[Dale Weise]]
*[[Ian White (ice hockey)|Ian White]]
*[[Bob Wilkie (ice hockey)|Bob Wilkie]]
*[[Jeremy Williams (ice hockey)|Jeremy Williams]]
*[[Tiger Williams]]
*[[Dody Wood]]
*[[Tyler Wright]]
*[[Joe Zanussi]]
}}

=== Retired numbers ===
The Swift Current Broncos retired the jersey numbers of the four players who died in the 1986 team bus crash.<ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;"
!#
!Player
|- style="text-align:center;"
|'''8'''
|Trent Kresse
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''9'''
|Scott Krueger
|- style="text-align:center;"
|'''11'''
|Brent Ruff
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|'''22'''
|Chris Mantyka
|}

== Coaches ==
{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;"
!#
!Coach
!Years
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1
|[[Graham James (ice hockey)|Graham James]]
|1986–1994
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|2
|[[Todd McLellan]]
|1994–2000
|- style="text-align:center;"
|3
|Brad McEwen
|2000–2003
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|4
|[[Randy Smith (ice hockey)|Randy Smith]]
|2003–2004
|- style="text-align:center;"
|5
|[[Dean Chynoweth]]
|2004–2009
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|6
|[[Mark Lamb]]
|2009–2016
|- style="text-align:center;"
|7
|[[Manny Viveiros]]
|2016–2018
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|8
|Dean Brockman
|2018–2021
|- style="text-align:center;"
|9
|Devan Praught
|2021–2023
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|''†''
|Taras McEwen
|2023–present<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chl.ca/whl/article/mcewen-named-broncos-interim-head-coach/#:~:text=Swift%20Current%2C%20Sask.,the%20Broncos%20and%20Winnipeg%20ICE. |title=McEwen named Broncos Interim Head Coach|website=chl.ca |date=November 29, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="3" |''†'' Interim coach
|}

==Team records==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; text-align: center; margin-right:1em"
|+ Team records for a single season<ref name="Records">{{Cite web |title=Swift Current Bronco Record Book |url=https://chl.ca/whl-broncos/swift-current-bronco-record-book/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111014526/https://chl.ca/whl-broncos/swift-current-bronco-record-book/ |archive-date=2023-11-11 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Swift Current Broncos}}</ref>
|- style="border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;"
!Statistic!!Total!!Season
|-
|Most points||111||[[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most wins||55||1988–89
|-
|Longest win streak||12||1988–89; [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Longest loss streak ||18|| [[2018–19 WHL season|2018–19]]
|-
|Most goals for||447||1988–89
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Fewest goals for||135||[[2004–05 WHL season|2004–05]]
|-
|Fewest goals against||170||[[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–00]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most goals against||393||[[1986–87 WHL season|1986–87]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="float:left; text-align: center; margin-right:1em;"
|+ Individual player records for a single season<ref name="Records" />
|- style="border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;"
!Statistic!!Player!!Total!!Season
|-
|Most goals||[[Jason Krywulak]]||81||[[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most assists||[[Terry Ruskowski]]||93||[[1973–74 WCHL season|1973–74]]
|-
|Most points||Jason Krywulak||162||1992–93
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most points, rookie||[[Joe Sakic]]||133||[[1986–87 WHL season|1986–87]]
|-
|Most points, defenceman||[[Dan Lambert]]||102||[[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]]
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Best GAA (goalie)||[[Bryce Wandler]]||2.06||[[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]
|-
| colspan=4 style="border-bottom:1px #aaaaaa solid;" | ''Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played''
|}
{| class="wikitable" style= "text-align: center"
|+Career records<ref name="Records" />
|- style="border-top:#061F5C 5px solid; border-bottom:#166936 5px solid;"
!Statistic
!Player
!Total
!Career
|-
|Most goals
|[[Todd Holt]]
|216
|1989–1994
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most assists
|[[Dan Lambert]]
|244
|1986–1990
|-
|Most points
|Todd Holt
|423
|1989–1994
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most penalty minutes
|[[Tiger Williams]]
|854
|1971–1974
|-
|Most games played
|Brent Twordik
|342
|1997–2002
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
|Most saves (goalie)
|Kyle Moir
|6,126
|2002–2007
|-
|Most minutes (goalie)
|Kyle Moir
|12,792
|2002–2007
|}
{{Clear left}}

=== Awards ===
{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

{{col-float|width=33%}}
'''[[Bob Clarke Trophy]]''' (WHL top scorer)
* [[Joe Sakic]]: [[1987–88 WHL season|1987–88]] <small>(tied with [[Theoren Fleury]], [[Moose Jaw Warriors]])</small>
* [[Jason Krywulak]]: [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]
* [[Sergei Varlamov]]: [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]]
* [[Tyler Redenbach]]: [[2003–04 WHL season|2003–04]]
'''[[Four Broncos Memorial Trophy]]''' (WHL player of the year)
* [[Joe Sakic]] (2): [[1986–87 WHL season|1986–87]] <small>(East Division winner)</small>, [[1987–88 WHL season|1987–88]] 
* [[Jason Krywulak]]: [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]
* [[Sergei Varlamov]]: [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]]
* [[Adam Lowry]]: [[2012–13 WHL season|2012–13]]
'''[[Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy]]''' (WHL rookie of the year)
* [[Joe Sakic]]: [[1986–87 WHL season|1986–87]] <small>(East Division winner)</small>
* [[Ashley Buckberger]]: [[1991–92 WHL season|1991–92]]
* [[Aleksi Heponiemi]]: [[2016–17 WHL season|2016–17]]
'''[[Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy]]''' (WHL top defenceman)
* [[Dan Lambert]]: [[1988–89 WHL season|1988–89]]
* [[Michal Rozsival]]: [[1997–98 WHL season|1997–98]]
'''[[Del Wilson Trophy]]''' (WHL top goaltender)
* [[Bryce Wandler]]: [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–2000]]
{{col-float-break|width=33%}}
'''[[Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy]]''' (WHL coach of the year)
* [[Stan Dunn (ice hockey)|Stan Dunn]]: [[1973–74 WCHL season|1973–74]]
* [[Graham James (ice hockey)|Graham James]]: [[1986–87 WHL season|1986–87]] <small>(East Division winner)</small>
* [[Todd McLellan]]: [[1999–2000 WHL season|1999–00]]
* [[Manny Viveiros]]: [[2017–18 WHL season|2017–18]]
'''[[Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy|Doc Seaman Trophy]]''' (WHL scholastic player of the year)
* [[Ashley Buckberger]]: [[1991–92 WHL season|1991–92]]
* [[Adam Lowry]]: [[2009–10 WHL season|2009–10]]
'''[[Brad Hornung Trophy]]''' (WHL most smortsmanship)
* [[Rick Girard]]: [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]
* [[Ian White (ice hockey)|Ian White]]: [[2001–02 WHL season|2001–02]]
* [[Tyler Steenbergen]]: [[2016–17 WHL season|2016–17]]
* [[Aleksi Heponiemi]]: [[2017–18 WHL season|2017–18]]
'''[[WHL Playoff MVP]]''' (Awarded since 1992)
* [[Andy Schneider (ice hockey, born 1972)|Andrew Schneider]]: [[1992–93 WHL season|1992–93]]
* [[Glenn Gawdin]]: [[2017–18 WHL season|2017–18]]
'''[[Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy]]''' (Memorial Cup MVP)
* [[Dan Lambert]]: [[1989 Memorial Cup]]
{{col-float-end}}

==See also==
* [[Ice hockey in Saskatchewan]]
* [[List of ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://chl.ca/whl-broncos/ Swift Current Broncos official website]

{{Swift Current Broncos}}
{{WHL}}
{{Saskatchewan Sports}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Western Hockey League teams]]
[[Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1967]]
[[Category:Swift Current]]
[[Category:1967 establishments in Saskatchewan]]