GM acknowledges responsibility as Swift Current Broncos work to move ahead

by David Zammit

Swift Current Broncos general manager Chad Leslie says he bears responsibility after head coach Dean DeSilva resigned Friday following two breaches of the Western Hockey League’s standards of conduct.

Leslie addressed media and fans early Friday afternoon at the InnovationPlex, saying the organization must be accountable for what happened.

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“It should be me that’s under scrutiny with this,” he said. “It’s extremely disappointing, and the recurrence of it is frustrating. I’ve always held myself accountable, and by no means am I shirking responsibility.”

DeSilva’s resignation marks the second time in two years a Broncos head coach has violated WHL conduct rules. The club parted ways with Devan Praught on Nov. 29, 2023, after he also breached league standards. Leslie noted that, in addition to the team’s own hiring vetting, the WHL uses a third-party company to screen candidates.

Leslie said he hopes the back-to-back incidents do not affect community support, business partnerships or player and coach recruiting.

“You always worry about it, because it’s happened under my watch,” he said. “We take things head-on, we communicate with our players, and we don’t sweep things under the rug. Families need to feel comfortable sending their kids here.”

All players, coaches, staff, management, ownership, league personnel and officials are required to follow the WHL’s standards of conduct at all times and must sign an acknowledgement form.

“It’s self-explanatory in regard to how we conduct ourselves appropriately when we’re responsible for young children and young adults,” Leslie said.

He added he has been in close contact with players and the coaching staff as they navigate the uncertainty behind the bench.

“My message is to continue to do their job, play, have fun, work together and stick together,” he said. “Sometimes in these situations it’s not a bad thing to get on the road and spend that time with each other.”

Swift Current hosted Moose Jaw on Friday night, beating the Warriors 4–3 in a shootout and will begin an eight-game road trip that starts Nov. 21 in Saskatoon and ends Dec. 5 in Spokane, Wash.

No formal search for a new head coach has begun. Assistant coach Regan Darby will serve as interim head coach, although Leslie says people have already expressed interest.

“For the situation we’re in, and dealing with it appropriately, I have not started to go down that path,” he said.

— with files from CJME News

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