Dean Brockman’s reputation as a junior hockey coach began and was built as a Bronco.

Brockman won three Royal Bank Cup national titles, an Anavet Cup regional championship and was named coach of the year four times during his 17 year tenure with the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos.

The former bench boss of the Saskatoon Blades is a Bronco again, but in a different league and different community.

Brockman is the new head coach and director of hockey operations with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. The appointment was announced during a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Swift Current.

Brockman is excited about the challenge of rebuilding a team that went all in this past season to win the WHL championship saying the goal is to return to that level as soon as possible. He said that would take a team effort both on the ice and off.

He takes over from Manny Viveiros who left the job after two seasons to join the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach.

Brockman was let go after four years with the Saskatoon Blades and was head coach for the last two seasons. He said he was fortunate to be a part of the Blades organization but can’t wish them luck since they are now going to be competing against each other. It won’t take Brockman long to renew acquaintances against his former team as the Blades and Broncos will meet in a regular season opening home-and-home series.