The WHL overage limit has claimed another Swift Current Bronco.

They released Arthur Miller just before Tuesday's deadline to cut down to three overage players on the roster.

"Very difficult situation," said Broncos Coach/Director of Player Personnel Manny Viveiros. "We felt we had four quality players and four quality young men. It was a difficult decision, but we were left with no other choice."



Miller played 106 games with the Broncos and had 24 points over that span.

"It's part of this business you certainly don't like," Viveiros said. "We have the utmost respect for Arthur Miller and what he's done for this organization. Especially last year how he matured and played for us in the second half of the year and especially in the playoffs."

Despite Miller's departure, the Broncos want him to know this will always be a home for him.

"Never an easy decision but we wish him the best," Viveiros said. "He knows that he is a Bronco for life. We've always got his back no matter what and we're always going to be there for him. He's going to be OK. He's a good hockey player and hopefully someone else in the league sees that and gives him an opportunity."

Miller and Chaulk played together for Regina on a team that won the province and played nationals. Now they have been competing each other to stick with the Broncos.

Each WHL team is only allowed to keep three overage players on the roster. While Glenn Gawdin and Logan Flodell appeared to be shoe-ins for Swift Current, Conner Chaulk gets the third spot thanks in part to the position he played and how well he played it. Chaulk fills the second line centre position, while most of their other centres beyond Glenn Gawdin are young and inexperienced.

"You look at the top teams in all leagues and they're all built through the middle," Viveiros noted. "We felt what Conner brings to us he's one of those guys where I could put him anywhere in our lineup and he'd be absolutely fine. He's a first line penalty killer and he's involved in last-minute situations so it's invaluable for us. We're certainly glad we have him on our hockey team."

Chaulk has two game winning goals and three assists in five games this season. The Broncos do want to get more offence out of him this season compared to his 23 point production for someone in their early 2-s-

"We're not just asking Conner to play defence," Viveiros said. "When he's on the ice we get out of our zone a lot quicker. We do expect him and some others to produce more than they did last year."

Teams had until midnight to claim Miller and then he will become a junior free agent.