Swift Current Broncos’ first-round draft pick Brady Birnie’s first impression of Bronco nation started with a hearty dose of cowbell, and he hopes to keep that trend going.

The Regina product was snagged 21st overall Wednesday morning in the first round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

Growing up a fan of the rival Pats, the Broncos prospect said the first impression of Swift Current’s fan base came at the Brandt Centre in the spring of 2018.

"It was in the Mastercard Memorial Cup when the Pats hosted it. Swift had to win to advance, and it was like a half-Swift, half-Regina audience. Whenever Swift scored, man, it was so loud - bells everywhere.”

The Broncos were edged 6-5 in the Memorial Cup Round Robin game, falling short of a berth in a tie-breaker. But, they did win over the prized prospect, who was in his second year of Pee Wee at the time.

“Ever since that game, I just realized that Swift Current fans are so passionate."

Having seen how the small market thrives with high-level hockey just adds to the experience for Birnie. Not only did coming to Swift Current tick a couple of very important boxes for him, but he says being viewed as an important piece of the team’s future is beyond special.

“It was a lot of emotions I felt - I was just very excited. One of my things I really wanted was to go to a great organization, and get a great opportunity. I think I got both of those by going to Swift Current,” he said. "It's one of the best feelings. I can't even really explain it in words. Having people and an organization have that much trust and want in me is just a great feeling."

Combining the regular-season and playoffs this past year with the Regina Bantam AA Monarchs, Birnie was top three across the board in the province.

He recorded a total of 62 goals (T-3rd), had 76 combined assists (1st), and had 138 points overall (2nd) in 34 games.

"I feel like I can bring a good amount to [the Broncos]. I think I'm pretty solid in the offensive zone. I think I'm a playmaker - I can make passes, I have the ability to score and find open teammates,” the forward noted, while adding that he feels his game also thrives in the defensive zone.

“I also have the ability to play strong in the D zone if that means just chipping a puck out to the centre slashing through, or blocking a shot on the penalty-kill, and I feel like I'm just going to work hard whenever I'm on the ice."

Birnie’s offensive explosion this season nearly tripled his point total from his first year of Bantam with the Monarchs - he combined for 48 total points that campaign.

Though, he did comfortably more than triple his goal total of 16 in 32 games. That ability to will the puck into the back of the net was an area the playmaker said he felt saw the biggest amount of growth this year.

"I feel like my shot improved a lot this year. Last year I wasn't confident with my shot on certain places on the ice to shoot from. But, this year I felt way more confident just rip pucks from out wide. I think that helped a lot,” he said.

Moving forward, Birnie said the biggest off-ice area he’s targeting is bulking up his current 5-foot-6, 120-pound frame.

As for on the ice, the Broncos’ first-rounder said that moving into the Regina Pat Canadians’ program at the Midget AAA level will him round into a two-way player.

"I'm highly offensive, so with [head coach Darrin Mckechnie] and the Pat Canadians next year, they emphasize a lot on the defensive zone. I think that'd be a great opportunity to improve my defensive zone play."

For the time being though, the 14-year-old said it’s a matter of letting the draft day experience fully sink in.

"It's just been crazy. When my name was first announced, my phone was buzzin’. I think I got like 80-some texts, I got calls from people, and it was just crazy, man. I'm still trying to think about what happened."