Former first round bantam draft pick Dom Schmiemann is feeling more and more comfortable as a rookie in the Western Hockey League.

The Swift Current Broncos defenceman has been getting additional ice time and opportunity as the season has rolled along.

"I think I'm building every game," he said. "It's taking it one step at a time, being more confident each game and trying to keep playing my game keeping it simple. It's confidence building every game. With games coming more experience I know what to do, the faster I can get it done I believe in myself more."

For the 6'4, 189lbs rookie a physical game is important and something he has been getting more assertive with as the season has progressed.

"I've got to play physical," Schmiemann says. "I have to use my body. If I do that I have more impact o the game."

He has been playing consistently on a pair with 18-year-old Sahvan Khaira that has been getting more ice than a traditional third pair.

"We work well together," Schmiemann said. "We have good chemistry. We are both good puck moving defencemen and have a feel where each other is on the ice."

Swift Current has been getting behind the 8-ball in recent games including 3-0 and 2-0 deficits they had to come back from to force two overtimes on the weekend. That's something they are looking to correct by limiting mistakes.

"We're just making a couple mistakes that bite us in the butt," Schmiemann said. "We just have to stay defensively strong and keep playing our game."

Schmiemann and the Broncos welcome last year's Memorial Cup hosts tonight as the Red Deer Rebels are on town.

You can listen to the game live on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 6:30pm with puck drop after 7pm at the Credit Union iPlex.