Two members of the Swift Current Broncos wound up on the NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings.

Goaltender Joel Hofer is the 6th ranked goaltender in North American, while defenceman Artyom Minulin is the 142nd ranked North American skater.

“It's nice to be recognized for what I've done this season,” Hofer said. “It doesn't really mean anything at the moment. I know I just have to keep working hard.”

While both players know the work isn't complete, knowing there is an opportunity to be drafted is a strong motivator.

“It's every hockey player's dream to get drafted in the NHL,” Hofer said. “It's going to be used as motivation to keep working harder.”

Hofer is a 17-year-old rookie in the WHL. He has a 5-2-0-1 record in 13 games with a 2.87 goals against average and 0.908 save percentage. He's pleased with the start of his WHL career.

“Pretty good I think,” Hofer said. “This season it's important to be learning about everything I can. Be a sponge out there. Try to take a positive out of anything. I think it's going well.”

Minulin is a 19-year-old defenceman from Russia who attended Minnesota Wild development camp this year. He remains undrafted, but was a prominent member of Russia's World Junior Championship team.

Minulin has 25 points in 40 games this season and a +18 rating.

For Hofer being a rookie has afforded him an opportunity to learn from a couple of established WHL veterans. He took a lot from 20-year-old goaltender Logan Flodell before he was moved to Lethbridge as part of a deal that saw 19-year-old Stuart Skinner join the Broncos.

“Skinner is a big guy out there,” Hofer said. “I think I can learn lots from them. Flodell is smaller than Skinner, but he looked at the game differently and it's nice to see different aspects of the game from different players. Those guys have been good mentors for me.”7

Hofer has also enjoyed working with former WHL goaltender and Broncos goaltending consultant Dave Rathjen.

“Dave has been great for me,” Hofer said. “Every game he's giving me feedback and practice things I need to work on. I'm liking it so far.”

The journey hasn't been simple for Hofer who wasn't initially selected in the WHL bantam draft. He was eventually listed and signed by the Broncos after some strong seasons with the Pursuit of Excellence hockey academy.

“I just always tried to work hard in everything I did,” Hofer said. “I wasn't drafted but I always tried to find the positive out of it. I was lucky to be listed by Swift and I'm grateful ever since. (The academy) made me a better hockey and a better person. I liked it a lot when I was there.”

Broncos prospect Jacob Bernard-Docker was 62nd among North American skaters. He is committed to the NCAA, but remains on the Broncos' list should he ever decide to change course.

Former Broncos forward Riley Stotts is 88th among North American skaters.

Swift Current is in the midst of their US Division road swing. They are 2-1-0-1 on the trip and wrap up in Spokane tomorrow.

“It's awesome,” Hofer said. “It's good bonding time for the guys and I hope we can get a win in Spokane.”

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