15-year-old Broncos prospect prepares to enter WHL hub

Brady Birnie’s dream has always been to play in the WHL.

But the 15-year-old Regina product never could have imagined what the start of his first season could look like.

Birnie was taken in the first round (21st overall) by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2020 WHL bantam draft.

“To have the opportunity now to go to the bubble at 15 years old, it’s going to be an opportunity and an experience I’ll never forget,” Birnie told 980 CJME’s Greg Morgan Morning Show.

NEWS: The Broncos have signed 2020 first-round pick Brady Birnie to a WHL Standard Player Agreement.

Details: https://t.co/GVfQ8dmc9x pic.twitter.com/9jyJg54HY0

— Swift Current Broncos (@SCBroncos) May 1, 2020

Birnie is one of the players the Broncos will be bringing into the WHL hub in Regina. He’s currently a member of the Regina Pat Canadians AAA under-18 team.

Games are set to begin on March 12 at Evraz Place. Seven WHL teams will use the University of Regina as a home for the next few months.

“It’s going to be tricky (keeping busy). Lots of workouts in the dorm room, video games to keep you busy and we’re in school right now so I have a lot of schoolwork I’ll have to be doing,” Birnie said.

He also said any day the Broncos don’t have a game, there’s a practice booked.

As a 15-year-old, Birnie isn’t sure how many games he will dress for in the hub. But he’s got the support from his family and friends if he does get the opportunity to play with Swift Current.

“They’re very excited for me and they wished me the best of luck,” he said.

The Broncos are to be joined in the East Division bubble by the Regina Pats, Moose Jaw Warriors, Saskatoon Blades, Prince Albert Raiders, Winnipeg Ice and Brandon Wheat Kings.

The WHL’s Central Division — comprising the five Alberta-based teams — was to begin play Friday. Those teams are to play home games in their own arenas.