The Swift Current Broncos (7-0-0-0) take one of the best starts in franchise history into two home games this weekend.

With all the talk about Swift Current's dominant top line of Tyler Steenbergen, Aleksi Heponiemi, and Glenn Gawdin, the Broncos have been getting some key contributions throughout the lineup.

One of those sources of secondary scoring on the roster is 19-year-old winger Kaden Elder, who has seven points (3 G, 4 A) in his first seven games of the 2017-18 WHL regular season.

Elder attributes solid two-way play, starting in the defensive end, as the root of his scoring.

"I think the defensive part - playing strong in my own zone - has definitely led to chances and opportunities for me to get more points this year," Elder said. "Working on my defense and playing on the defensive side first is huge for my game."

Another reason for both Elder's and the team's success through seven games has been the commitment to their systems - something the Saskatoon-born forward shared is vital.

"Buying into the system is my thing. I work on my defense all the time, and I like to make sure I get the puck out, make smart plays, and contributing offensively is awesome as well. Buying into the system is huge for the team. If you don't buy in, then it's hard to play the game in a league like this."

Proof of selflessness in the systems is found in the Broncos' penalty-killing numbers - a stat Swift Current has excelled in since the 2017 WHL Playoffs.

After finishing the regular season with the WHL's second-worst penalty kill (72.7%), the Broncos tightened up the defensive special teams game during their 14-game playoff run, ending the playoffs as the league's most effective penalty-killing team (86.8%).

Now in the 2017-18 regular season, the Broncos still boast a fourth-best percentage of 85.7% in the WHL.

"I think we just stuck to what we know," said Elder. "We grind out, and we're all in - we're blocking shots, we're making desperate plays, and I think that's going to keep us up there if we keep doing that."

A rare visit from the Vancouver Giants is on the schedule tonight

Broncos associate coach Ryan Smith says the recent rebuild of the Giants has added some excitement to the infrequent, once-yearly match up.

"They're trending in the right way," Smith said. "They've had a couple of years where they've gone young, and I think they're starting to reap the benefits. This is the first game of their road swing, so we want to hold on to home ice."

Listen live on The Eagle 94.1 FM with Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 6:30 p.m. - puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.