HUMBOLDT — Connor Casparie has been a big presence this season in several different ways for the Humboldt Broncos.
“Connor has brought a lot of leadership skills to our team,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said. “He competes with 110 per cent every game and has been another reason why our penalty kill has been so strong this season. He’s a player that’s feared by many on the opposition and does a lot of the little details of the game very well. We are happy he’s a Bronco and a big part of our success.”
A 6-foot-2, 187-pound forward, Casparie doesn't shy away from physical play. He leads the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with 237 penalty minutes in 43 games, as of Sunday. Earlier this season Casparie and Humboldt’s own Noah Barlage teamed up for a memorable highlight as their combination hit deposited a Yorkton opponent into the Broncos’ bench.
The appreciation the Broncos have for Casparie and his style of play could be seen in how his teammates celebrated when he scored his first goal of the season. Video of the goal was posted on the Humboldt team’s Facebook page with a description stating, “Moments like theses are what you play for! Connor Casparie would go through a wall for his teammates, picks up his first career SJHL goal.”
Both of Casparie’s goals this season have come in the new year. He has five points in 43 contests with the Broncos. Casparie is counted on for his responsible play on the other end of the ice. He is an important penalty killer for the team. As of Sunday, the Broncos’ penalty kill was ranked first in the SJHL at 90.9 per cent.
“Penalty killing to me is one of the most prideful roles on a hockey team and to be a big part of that is very pleasing,” Casparie said. “I think we have large success in that area because of our great coaching staff giving us the right plan to execute.”
Hailing from the B.C. coastal community of Powell River, Casparie, who turned 20 in January, got his feet wet in junior hockey at the ‘B’ level with the Nanaimo Buccaneers. The Nanaimo coach when Casparie served as an affiliated player was Curtis Toneff, who went on to the Broncos’ assistant coach before heading to a bench boss gig with Merritt of the B.C. Hockey League.
“Curtis was actually my first coach that gave me a shot in junior when I was 15, 16 in Nanaimo for the Buccaneers,” Casparie said. “He helped me with my junior career in a big way to get me into the next level and years later I landed with him once again here in Humboldt.”
Toneff had moved onto Humboldt when Casparie played his 17-year-old season with the club in 2019-20. He saw action in 11 games for the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League last season in a campaign shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. In mid-September, Casparie was acquired by the Broncos.
He has been having fun in Saskatchewan. Casparie said in Craig and Joanne Koski he has “the best billets in the game.” He said, “they have made me feel at home since the first day I stepped foot in their lives back in September.” As for the rest of the community, Casparie said:
“For me, the most enjoyable part about playing in Humboldt is how our town rallies behind our team and supports us day in, day out and gives us lots of motivation to be successful and to keep being a top team in our league.”
The Broncos last week
Monday, Feb. 21 in Kindersley
Humboldt 7, Kindersley 1
Broncos Scorers: Braiden Koran (2), Connor Casparie, Rhett Gibson, Alex Morozoff, Cage Newans, Connor McGrath
Klippers Scorer: Cash Arntsen
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 18 saves on 19; Matthew Presenti, Kindersley, 27 on 34
Attendance: 1,602
Notes: The Broncos led 1-0 and 3-1 at the intermissions before scoring four goals in the third period. Humboldt was 3-for-8 on the powerplay. McGrath had four points, while Newans and Koran each had three. With free admission thanks to the sponsorship of Terry’s No Frills and Farm World, the Elgar Petersen Arena was packed with enthusiastic Broncos fans. “The Family Day game was a great experience, to see that many fans at the EPA was really cool,” said Humboldt forward Ethan Zielke, who had two assists. “It was an electric atmosphere, and it gives the boys a big boost of energy when we have that many fans behind us.” A Skate with the Broncos was held after the game. Zielke enjoyed interacting with the fans and said, “Signing autographs and taking pictures makes you feel pretty cool if I’m being honest. It’s good too see some younger kids getting into the game of hockey.”
Wednesday, Feb. 23 in Humboldt
Humboldt 6, Melville 0
Broncos Scorers: Alex Morozoff (2), Noah Barlage, Braiden Koran, Cage Newans, Connor McGrath
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 29 saves on 29; Alexis Giroux, Melville, 28 on 32; Ty Shumanski, Melville, 13 on 15
Attendance: 630
Notes: Humboldt scored three goals on four powerplay opportunities. The Broncos scored twice in each period. Tyler Kutschinski and Alec Saretzky each had two assists for Humboldt.
Saturday, Feb. 26 in North Battelford
Humboldt 7, Battlefords 1
Broncos Scorers: Jerzy Orchard (3), Matthew Perkins (3), Samuel Marburg
North Stars Scorer: Wilson Steele
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 28 saves on 29; Austin Schwab, Battlefords, 35 on 42
Attendance: 827
Notes: After a 1-1 first period, Humboldt scored twice to take a 3-1 lead before the second intermission. The Broncos scored four times in the third period. After only two penalties were handed out over the first two period, things got feisty in the third after Newans took a hit on the back wall. With many players becoming involved, the officials assessed 194 penalty minutes among 10 players in the final minute. For the game, Humboldt was assessed 17 infractions for 99 minutes. Battlefords had 24 infractions for 129 minutes. Perkins had five points on the night.
Impressive Week
Offence and defence were impressively on display for the Humboldt Broncos last week. Goaltender Rayce Ramsay tied the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League record for wins in a
single season with his 39th victory. That matches the total posted by ex-Broncos netminder Pat Mazzoli in 1989-1990.
Last week the Broncos outscored the opposition 20-2. The Humboldt team outshot its foes 123-77. As of Sunday, Broncos forward Connor McGrath led the SJHL with 80 points in 53 games.
Normand Signed
The Humboldt Broncos have signed Jordan Normand for next season. The 17-year-old forward from Warman had 41 points, with 14 goals, in 36 games for his hometown U18 AAA Wildcats through Sunday.
“Jordan is a very gifted two-way centreman. His play away from the puck is as big a part of his game as with it, which really showcases his hockey sense,” said Broncos head coach Scott Barney said on the team’s website. “He’s had a great season offensively and we are excited to add him to the Broncos’ roster next season.”
Normand has played one game with Humboldt this season. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2019 SJHL Draft.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (42-13-0-0, second best in the league) host the Kindersley Klippers (23-28-1-1) on Wednesday. They are on the road Sunday to play the Notre Dame Hounds (24-23-3-2) in Wilcox. Humboldt’s final game of the regular season is March 11 in Kindersley.
