The Swift Current Broncos struck a deal Thursday to add another forward, sending defenseman Graeme Craig to the Saskatoon Blades for veteran forward Brent Benson.
The move comes two days after reassigning 16-year-old forward Dakota Odgers back to his midget team, which left the Broncos with only 12 forwards.
Benson, 19, has three assists and a minus-four rating in 11 games with the Blades this season. The 5’11’’, 192-lbs Weyburn native was the sixth overall pick in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
Craig, 19, was in his fourth WHL season with the Broncos after being selected in the third round of the 2008 draft. He had one assist and a plus-two rating in 11 games this season.
“Benson is a very versatile top six forward with plenty of experience which our current group of forwards could learn a lot from,” said Broncos General Manager and Head Coach, Mark Lamb in a team media release. “Craig has been a solid player for the Broncos for over three years. To acquire a player like Benson, you have to give up great talent and with our young depth on defence we were able to acquire him (Benson).”
The Broncos roster now includes five former first round draft picks. Former first round picks include: Reece Scarlett (12th, 2008, Broncos), Brent Benson (6th, 2008, Saskatoon Blades), Colby Cave (13th, 2009, Kootenay Ice), Dillon Heatherington (11th, 2010, Broncos), Brycen Martin (2nd, 2011, Broncos).
It will not be long before either player faces his former team. The Broncos will host the Blades on Friday in the two teams' third meeting this season.
