By Elizabeth huber /

The Swift Current Broncos recently underwent minor roster changes with the first trade of the season in early November.

As the Broncos faced a laundry list of injuries on their forward lineup, the team adopted Mathew Ius an 18-year-old right-winger from the Everett Silvertips.

Ius has taken over the jersey number of European import center Oliver Jokel.

The 17-year-old found himself re-assigned to his junior team in Kosice, Slovakia after putting in a pointless 14 games with the Broncos this season.

As Broncos GM/head coach Dean Chynoweth began switching up the team dynamics, eight of the Broncos forwards were either on or just recently off the injured list.

To name a few, centres Jordan Peddle and Cody Eakin and right-winger Jan Dalecky, the other European import, were battling concussions and Matt Tassone nursed a 
shoulder injury.

“Since we are missing key offensive players, I think there is an awareness amongst the whole group that we might not have the same ability to put points on the board and score goals, so there is the added responsibility (for all players) to play offensively,” said Broncos assistant coach Tim Kehler.

“It is not just defencemen — goaltenders and forwards take it upon themselves to be a little sharper,” he added.

The Broncos picked up Ius from the Silvertips, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2009 Western Hockey League draft.

Ius’ role with the Silvertips served as a checking forward and penalty killer. Following the Nov. 6 trade, Ius was looking for more offensive playing time.

“Due to our present injury situation, we felt it was necessary to address it and pick up a player with WHL experience,” 
Chynoweth said.

“Matt fits that role, he is a bigger body that skates well and competes hard,” he commented about the 6-2, 210-lb. right-winger.

Since the transactions occurred, Eakin — the Broncos poster-boy — returned to the ice with a renewed exuberance to play.

He opened up the Broncos scoring in his first game back against the Prince Albert Raider on Nov. 5.

Eakin then exploded for hissecond hat-trick of the season in Brandon.

Unfortunately, the team’s short road trip ended with a pair of losses to the Wheat Kings and Regina Pats, closing the door on its five-game winning streak.

NOTES: The Canada/Russia ADT challenge stops in Swift Current on Wednesday, November 26. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. ... Dean Chynoweth, along with friends and family, celebrated his father Ed’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 8. Ed is considered to be one of the major pioneers of junior hockey in Canada.