Broncos Staying Close-Mouthed About Goaltending

Humboldt Broncos coach & GM Dean Brockman has always kept as much out of the public eye as possible. From the start of training camp to their final game in the playoffs, injuries are rarely specified (and when they are, not always accurately). Everything is lower-body or upper-body, even early on in the season. The term “flu” gets used a lot even if it is actually an injury or a player is being benched. When Dean brings a player in, it is usually on the hush-hush. He doesn’t like bringing too much attention to the team or giving another team an advantage of preparing too early. Dean has asked me quite a few times not to mention players coming over in trades etc. It’s how he rolls. The same can be said for goaltender Deven Dubyk. He has been dropped by the Moose Jaw Warriors and officially cleared waivers a couple days ago so he is back in Humboldt for a second time. He didn’t get a chance to play the first time around but that should change shortly. I asked Dean yesterday if Dubyk would be playing tonight and he said he’s only practiced once so he’ll have to assess the situation today. In fact, as of the time I’m writing this, he’s still not listed on the team’s roster on the website.

In Humboldt’s 4 road losses this season, they outplayed their opponents in 3 of the games. It’s not a secret that the oppositions goaltending has outplayed Humboldt’s in those 4 losses. I’m sure Matt and Tyler would admit that the road games haven’t been their best. Brockman is looking to shore that position up with the 20 year old.

Dubyk is a native of Minitonas, Manitoba and played parts of 4 seasons in the WHL with Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. He appeared in just 3 games this season and sported a 2-1 record with a 4.00 GAA and .900 save percentage. He also had a short stint with the Swan Valley Stampeders of the MJHL before that. The 6’2″ 170 pounder brings WHL experience but primarily as a back up. It will be interesting to see how he does at this level.

In another move, Humboldt has brought in 17 year old centre Dylan Fluter from the Tri-City Americans. Fluter played for the Battlefords Stars of the SMAAAHL last year where he was 3rd in scoring on the team with 11 goals and 19 assists in 42 games. Dean said the move was necessitated because of all the injuries to his team early on. Fluter picked up an assist in his first game with the Green & Gold on Wednesday in their 7-2 victory over Kindersley.

Humboldt will look to stay perfect at home when they face the 2nd place Battlefords North Stars tonight. It is the first meeting of the season between the 2 clubs. The Broncos currently trail the North Stars by 3 points in the standings and have 1 game in hand. Game time is 7:30 at the Elgar Peterson Arena.