As of Sunday, the 6-foot, 205-pounder is fourth on the team and 12th in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in scoring. The 20-year-old has four goals and 17 points in 16 games. Last season Koran had an assist in five games before the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down after tallying 35 points in 54 contests in 2019-2020 as a rookie.
“He plays a top six role on our club this season and is actively involved in both our power play and penalty kill,” Humboldt head coach Scott Barney said. “He’s very strong along the walls and creates room for his linemates with his physical play. It’s great to see his growth in the offensive zone this season. He’s a player that every coach wants to have in his line up.”
This season Koran has had six multipoint games. He has recorded two assists four times, including in a 4-3 overtime victory against Weyburn on Saturday that extended the Broncos’ winning streak to six games. What has allowed him to put up points this season? “The work I put in through the off season to get stronger and faster, as well as help from my linemates,” said Koran, whose linemates have included Alec Saretzky, Connor McGrath, and Logan Kurki – who are all among the SJHL’s top four scorers.
As well as his offensive prowess, Koran helps the nationally ranked Broncos succeed with his leadership. He is an assistant captain for the second straight season.
“He will do anything you ask of him,” Barney said. “Works extremely hard on and off the ice and is great in the community.
Koran is enjoying life with the Broncos this season. With a 12-4-0-0 record as of Sunday, Humboldt was tied with Flin Flon (12-5-0-0) for first in the SJHL.
“We have a great group of guys that work hard day in and day out,” Koran said. “Also, they’re just a lot of fun to be around.”
He came to the Broncos in 2019 after two Junior B seasons with his hometown Dynamiters. Throughout his time in Humboldt, Koran has lived with the Rene and Devin Cannon family, who he has praised for making him feel at home. The best part of playing for the Broncos?
“My entire experience in Humboldt has been amazing from my teammates to my coaches to my billet families,” Koran said. “It’s just so hard to pick just one thing.”
After this season – his final junior campaign – Koran hopes to play college hockey and see where that takes him. He is considering studying business.
The Broncos last week
Friday, Oct. 29 in Battlefords
Humboldt 5, Battlefords 1
Broncos Scorers: Matthew Perkins (3), Myles Quinn, Alec Saretzky
North Stars Scorer: Dave Prymak
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 24 saves on 25 shots; Michael Harroch, Battlefords, 31 on 36
Attendance: 653
Notes: After a 1-1 first period, the Broncos scored two goals in each subsequent frame. Perkins and Saretzky each had three points on the night. Saretzky, Ethan Ziekle and Lucas Ceccarelli each had two assists. Myles’ goal was his first in the SJHL. The rookie turns 18 next week. “Not too often we get wins down there so it was a big win for our club,” head coach Scott Barney said. “Things are rolling the right way. We got some big goals at the right moment. It was a big win overall for our club to keep the momentum going into Saturday.” Backing up Ramsay was affiliated player Noah Martens of the Junior B Delisle Chiefs.
Saturday, Oct. 30 in Humboldt
Humboldt 4, Weyburn 3 OT
Broncos Scorers: Logan Kurki, Cody Hough, Matthew Perkins, Connor McGrath
Red Wings Scorers: Ty Mason, Nikolas Sombrowski, Shayde Peterson
Goalies: Rayce Ramsay, Humboldt, 17 saves on 20 shots; Jackson Fellner, Weyburn, 40 on 44
Attendance: 660
Notes: Perkins scored the game winner. Weyburn led 1-0 after the first period. Humboldt scored three in the third, including two on the powerplay, to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. The Red Wings’ two third period goals – the last one with the man advantage – sent the game to overtime. Kurki had three points. Koran and Kurki each recorded two assists. Bronco Landen Stromme and Weyburn’s Cooper Chisholm fought in the second period. Each team was 2-for-4 on the power play. Kristjan Johnson of the Junior B Saskatoon Quakers backed up Ramsay.
Notes
The Broncos enter this week on a six-game winning streak. They are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10. … In Monday’s Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 Weekly Rankings, the Broncos maintained their 16th ranking nationally. … The Broncos (12-4-0-0) and Flin Flon (12-5-0-0) sat at the top of the league standings with 24 points. Humboldt led the Global Ag Risk Solutions Division over Battlefords (9-5-1-1) by four points. … Rookie Matthew Perkins netted a hat trick on Friday and the overtime winner on Saturday. The Balgonie product enters the week having scored a goal in each of his last four games. Perkins has seven goals and 14 points in 15 games. “Matthew has been really good the last five games,” Broncos head coach Scott Barney said. “He’s moving his feet. He’s a bit more engaged. A big thing is he’s not going as long a shifts, so he has more power to give in that time when he’s on the ice. Another big thing is we’re challenging him to shoot more when he has the opportunity. He has a great shot as seen here in the last three or four games. … He’s got a strong hockey IQ and has been a big part of our success over this stretch.” … As of Monday, Broncos Logan Kurki and Connor McGrath top the SJHL points race with 24. Kurki has 10 goals, while McGrath has scored eight. Teammate Alec Saretzky has a league-best 12 goals and ranks fourth in points. … Goalie Rayce Ramsay leads the league with 12 wins.
This Week
The Humboldt Broncos (12-4-0-0) host the Kindersley Klippers (8-8-0-0) on Tuesday. The Broncos visit Weyburn (3-7-3-0) on Friday and Estevan (11-3-0-1) on Saturday.
