HUMBOLDT — In his first season with the Humboldt Broncos, Ethan Zielke has earned the trust of his teammates and the coaching staff.
“We feel comfortable any time we put Ethan Zielke on the ice,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said. “Him and Lucas Ceccarelli have been outstanding on the penalty kill. They play many minutes there. End of the game, we send Ethan Zielke out to take major, important faceoffs. These are things most people won’t notice, but for us he’s a very important player for the Humboldt Broncos. I couldn’t say more about what he has done this year for our club.”
An 18-year-old from Calgary, Zielke has five goals and 26 points in 42 games this season. From Dec. 17 until Sunday, the 5-foot-10, 179-pounder had 11 points in as many games. While Zielke is among the top 20 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League rookies in scoring this season, Barney said that is only part of what the two-way centreman brings to the team. The head coach said Zielke is “arguably one of the best face-off guys in the SJHL” and is strong defensively.
“Any time of the game, we can put him out there against the other team’s top line and you know he’s going to do a great job,” Barney said.
Zielke said because the defensive aspect of hockey is not as exciting as the offensive side it can sometimes be forgotten. “I enjoy it because I know it’s important,” he said. “I take pride in doing my defensive job and I know it doesn’t go unnoticed by my teammates or coaching staff. Whether it’s taking an important draw at the end of the game or blocking a shot to save a goal, it’s all needed to win games and I love winning.”
The Broncos have done a lot of winning this season. With Zielke playing a role, the Broncos lead the SJHL with a 34-11-0-0 record and were on a six-game winning streak, as of Sunday. It is not just Zielke’s two-way play that has helped the Humboldt team.
“Even though he’s a rookie, he’s been a leader from day one with his attitude and work ethic every day in practice,” Barney said. “He has a passion for hockey and a big drive to be better. He pushes his teammates very hard at the same time. He’s a big part of our leadership group here going forward. We are very fortunate to have him on our team here.”
Zielke is enjoying life in Humboldt. He billets with Trevor and Nancy Baert and their three children Kade, Carter, and Nora.
“My favourite part about being a Bronco is the community,” Zielke said. “We have a ton of support and the fans at our games are electric. When we volunteer in the community, people are always talking to us about our games and congratulating us on our wins. It’s encouraging knowing you have a supportive and invested community behind you.”
The Broncos last week
Tuesday, Jan. 25 in Humboldt
Humboldt 4, Notre Dame 2
Broncos Scorers: Connor Casparie, Jerzy Orchard, Braiden Koran, Lucas Ceccarlli
Hounds Scorers: Kevin Anderson, Brendan Kerr
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 39 saves on 41 shots; Austin Elliott, Notre Dame, 23 on 27
Attendance: 613
Notes: After a 1-1 first period, in which the Hounds scored shorthanded, Humboldt scored a trio of second period markers to seize control of the contest. Broncos head coach Scott Barney said after killing off a number of penalties in the first period the team kept its feet moving in the second and that played a role in its success. Casparie scored, his first of his SJHL career, at even strength to start things off. Orchard lit the lamp on the powerplay to score his first as a Bronco. Ceccarlli scored shorthanded. The Hounds got one goal back, shorthanded, in the third. Humboldt defenceman Quinn Myles recorded two assists.
Friday, Jan. 28 in Humboldt
Humboldt 4, Yorkton 1
Broncos Scorers: Alex Morozoff, Braiden Koran, Cage Newans, Connor McGrath
Terriers Scorers: Steven Norum
Goalies: William Dyke, Humboldt, 28 saves on 29 shots; Kael DePape, Yorkton, 36 on 40
Attendance: 694
Notes: Kishaun Gervais and Broncos captain Kade Olsen dropped the gloves in the third period. Humboldt defenceman Nicksha Eric had two assists. Yorkton opened the scoring on a powerplay. Humboldt had tied things up 1-1 by the first intermission. With two second period goals, the Broncos led 3-1 at the second break. They added another goal in the third.
Saturday, Jan. 29 in Humboldt
Humboldt 4, Weyburn 3
Broncos Scorers: Noah Barlage, Alec Saretzky, Cage Newans, Landen Stromme
Red Wings Scorers: Ty Mason, Ethan Whillans, Kirk Mullen
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 28 saves on 31 shots; Jackson Fellner, Weyburn, 33 on 37
Attendance: 613
Notes: Humboldt led 2-0 after the first period. With a trio of goals in the second, Weyburn went ahead, 3-2. Humboldt’s own Noah Barlage tied things up in the third on a powerplay. Saretzky scored the game winner. Stromme scored his first goal of his SJHL career.
Shootout Success
Saturday was a big night for Humboldt Broncos rookie forward Landen Stromme.
The 18-year-old from Choiceland scored his first Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League goal that night in a victory. Then in the Broncos annual player and staff shootout, Stromme won the event.
The night before the players and staff were auctioned off. LeRoy’s Connor McGrath, who leads the SJHL in scoring, earned the top bid - $2,400. Head coach Scott Barney, a former National Hockey League forward, had the second highest bid at $1,500.
The event raised a total of $23,675. Half went to the team. The first-place payout was $3,551.25.
“Shootout was great for the fans, players, families and billet families,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said. “It gets the players’ faces seen without the helmets on and shows some of their character as well. At the same time, it’s a great fundraiser for the organization and we are very grateful for that.”
Third Jerseys Unveiled
On the weekend, the Humboldt Broncos wore their new third jerseys. The green, gold and white uniforms resemble the squad’s original 1970-1971 uniforms, which they received from the Swift Current Broncos, who they were affiliated with.
“Everyone was super excited when we saw them,” Broncos forward Cage Newans said. “It was definitely worth the wait. All the boys have been super anxious to see and wear the jerseys.”
Recruits signed
The Humboldt Bronco announced the signing of two 2004-born players for next season. One of them was Humboldt’s own McLaren Paulsen, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward for the U18 AAA Regina Pat Canadians. He has nine goals and 22 points in 35 games this season. He has played one game with the Broncos.
“Over the last four years since I have been in Humboldt, it’s been great to see his progress as a player with the work he puts in on and off the ice,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said on the team’s website. “His work ethic in the weight room has translated to his game on the ice where he’s a two-way power forward and consistent leader.”
The Broncos also inked defenceman Tristan Serrao of Calgary. He has eight points in 30 games for the U18 AAA Calgary Northstars. Barney described him as a smooth skater who plays the game with an edge.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (34-11-0-0, league best) host the Battlefords North Stars (23-10-4-1) on Tuesday. The next day they played in Kindersley (18-23-1-1). The Broncos were back at the Elgar Petersen Arena on Saturday to host the Hawks. The Notre Dame Hounds (15-18-3-1) visit on Feb. 9.
