HUMBOLDT — Cody Hough is thrilled to be able to take the ice for his third and final season with the Humboldt Broncos.
Last season the defenceman had two goals and five points in six games. In those contests, the Broncos compiled a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League best record of 5-1-0-0. The 2020-2021 campaign was paused in November and then cancelled in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the team is back and, as of Dec. 11, was first in the SJHL standings with a 24-8-0-0 record after beating second place Estevan, 4-1, on Saturday.
“I was extremely happy to get back on the ice with the Broncos this season, especially with all the time off we had,” Hough said.
The 20-year-old from Maple Ridge, B.C. has been an important part of the Broncos’ strong play so far this season. The 5-foot-10, 178-pounder has three goals and 13 points through 31 games. As of Sunday, Hough was second on the Broncos (behind Noah Barlage’s 21, second in the league) and 17th in the SJHL in blue line scoring. He had two power play goals and four power play assists.
“Cody is a dynamic D-man who has some offensive flare to his game,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said. “He competes very hard every shift and makes highly skilled plays with the puck.”
Before heading east to Humboldt, Hough developed his game in the Vancouver North East Chiefs U18 AAA program, where he played with future Broncos teammates Logan Kurki and Michael Harroch, currently playing for Battlefords. He also played a few games as an affiliated player for a couple British Columbia Hockey League teams.
In 2019, Hough picked up his first SJHL point and goal in style as he scored the game winner in overtime at home against Estevan. He finished with four goals and 24 points in 46 games that season. Hough was part of a group of young players who gained valuable playoff experience in 2020. They became important pieces of 2020-21’s unfortunately COVID-halted campaign and this season’s strong start.
“I think what I have enjoyed most about playing for the Broncos is that it feels like the community is always behind the team and it feels like one big family,” Hough said.
While he has been part of successful squads on the ice, Hough has also enjoyed life off it in Humboldt. For all three seasons, he has lived with the Brandow family.
“I’m extremely thankful that they have opened up their household to me and made me feel included from day one my rookie year,” said Hough, whose future plans include going to university to study business.
The Broncos last week
Wednesday, Dec. 8 in Humboldt
Humboldt 5, Notre Dame 1
Broncos Scorers: Braiden Koran (3), Matthew Perkins, Alex Morozoff
Hounds Scorer: Elliot Dutil
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 24 saves on 25 shots; Ryley Osland, Notre Dame, 35 on 40
Attendance: 550
Notes: Notre Dame scored first but it was all Broncos after that. The game was tied 1-1 at the first intermission. Humboldt led 3-1 after the second period. The Broncos were 1-for-5 on the powerplay and killed off all four of the Hounds’ powerplay opportunities. Noah Barlage and Connor McGrath each had two assists.
Saturday, Dec. 11 in Humboldt
Humboldt 4, Estevan 1
Broncos Scorers: Nicksha Eric, Ethan Ziekle, Alex Saretzky, Connor McGrath
Bruins Scorer: Eric Pearce
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 39 saves on 40 shots; Boston Bilous, Estevan, 26 on 28
Attendance: 614
Notes: Humboldt won the season series between the SJHL’s top two teams, 3-1. The Broncos led 1-0 and 2-1 at the intermissions. Humboldt had two empty net goal in the third. Matthew Perkins recorded two assists. Ziekle has scored three times in the last five games.
Notes
The Broncos enter the week leading the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with a 24-8-0-0 record. The nationally ranked team is two points in the standings ahead of Estevan (22-6-1-1), 48-46.
The team announced last week that head coach and general manager Scott Barney has agreed to a three-year contract extension. Assistant coach Curtis Toneff has agreed to a one-year extension.
The Broncos have sent 18-year-old goaltender Brett Mirwald to the Nanaimo (B.C.) Clippers for future considerations. Mirwald started this campaign in the Western Hockey League with the Moose Jaw Warriors. He last played for the Broncos in 2019-2020 as an affiliated player.
As of Monday, Connor McGrath was second in the SJHL with 44 points in 32 games Alex Saretzky was third with 39 points. His 20 goals placed him third in the league in that department as well.
Goalie Rayce Ramsay led the SJHL in wins (23), minutes (1,721), saves (762), and shootout wins (three). He paced Junior A goalies nationally in wins.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (24-8-0-0) hosted the Kindersley Klippers (12-15-0-1) Tuesday to wrap up a three-game homestand. On Friday, the Broncos are in Wilcox to take on the Notre Dame Hounds. The team caps the 2021 portion of its schedule Saturday when the Battlefords North Stars (17-8-4-1) visit. The Broncos’ first game of the new year is Jan. 4 in Melville.
