The Humboldt Broncos have the second-most points so far in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League regular season and while it is a pretty big mountain to climb to go any higher, they appear to have a season-long battle on their hands with five other teams to claim a top-four spot and home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs next spring.
Experience might be lacking somewhat for the rookie-laden Broncos, but it is because of the play of these new arrivals that Humboldt is a threat to win on any given night. One of those freshmen is 18-year-old defenceman Jackson Bohan, who has stepped in and assumed a huge role early in his Junior “A” career.
Through 26 games the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Cranbook, B.C., product has contributed 15 points to the Broncos’ offence, which is third highest in the league for goals scored. Bohan is the top producer on the Broncos blueline and included in his output is one goal and six assists while Humboldt is enjoying the man advantage showing he is counted on in various situations.
Bohan gained some experience at the Junior “A” level last year when he appeared in seven games for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League and although he was held off the scoresheet during that time, he did put up impressive numbers while playing with the Kimberley Dynamiters of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League for the remainder of the year. In 39 games with the Dynamiters, Bohan registered 30 points on six goals and 24 assists.
As a 15-year-old, Bohan played at the minor midget level collecting 11 points in 36 games with the AC Avalanche and the following season he moved up to Midget AAA where he posted nine points in 33 games with the Kootenay Ice while also seeing action in a handful of games with the Dynamiters as a 16-year-old.
The future certainly looks bright for the Broncos and with the young talent getting more experience with each passing game they will definitely be a tough opponent this year as well. Bohan is a big part of the story unfolding in Humboldt.