By Elizabeth Huber /

The pressure is on Swift Current Broncos’ centre Cody Eakin to perform.

Following a summer with the Canadian Under-18 National Junior Team, a number of eyes are on him. The Broncos highly-touted, first-round 2006 Bantam Draft pick also had an outstanding performance when the team met Regina and Calgary in the playoffs.

But don’t feel badly for Eakin; he loves the pressure.

“If I wasn’t playing hockey, I don’t know what I would be doing,” said Eakin candidly.

“I started working out the summer before my (WHL bantam) draft year,” said Eakin, who played ahead of his age group up until his bantam year.

“Ever since then, I have been working out harder and harder every season.”

Going into the eighth regular-season game, Eakin had contributed three goals and two assists.

“He is definitely not afraid to put the work in and so he is admired by his peers because of that,” said Tim Kehler, Swift Current Broncos’ assistant coach. “Players are certainly looking to him as a leader in our group and Cody has that type of personality.”

For Eakin, hockey is already his full-time job. When the 5-11, 174-pound centre isn’t playing hockey, he is thinking sports.

On game day, the routine is fairly standard. There is a pre-game nap and meal before heading down to the rink for a good stretch and warm-up routine, followed by some particulars, like making sure his stick is taped up just right.

“I want to be kind of relaxed when I get out there … because I figure when I am too focused, I hold my stick too tight and pucks can bounce,” he explained.

Having proven his skills last year, Eakin will be called on to provide a bigger offensive role this year, said Kehler.

“With the loss of Levi Nelson and Zack Smith, our two point leaders last year, we are going to be looking to him to pick up the bulk of that point production.“

Eakin may also be looked at to replace Smith, who signed with the Ottawa Senators earlier this year, as a key face-off man.

Throughout recent years, the Broncos have considered speed a top priority.

“We have sacrificed some size certainly to do that, you can see where we are at with (RW Christian) Magnus, Eakin, (LW Brad) Hoban, (C Jordan) Peddle and (C Dillon) Wagner.

“They might not be huge but they can certainly move well,” said Jamie Porter, Swift Current Broncos director of player personnel.

Bronco faithfuls are hoping extra pressure on Eakin equals major offensive fireworks.

BRONCO BITS: Peddle, 17, is giving Eakin a run for his money with three goals and three assists ... The Broncos had their perfect (6-0) start to the season end at the hands of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, who beat Swift Current 5-2 ... G Travis Yonkman and LW Brad Hoban are out indefinitely with shoulder and ankle injuries respectively ... D Joel Rogers’ knee has been causing him some difficulty.