The veterans are venerable in Swift Current, where the Broncos have bolted out of the chute with four consecutive victories.

"Our older players have really done a good job of leading the way," said Broncos GM/head coach Brad McEwen, who replaced the highly-respected Todd McLellan during the off-season.

"And we're getting a lot of people involved in the scoring. From a coaching standpoint, that’s always good to see."

While no fewer than seven Broncos are averaging at least a point per game, overage centre Layne Ulmer, the WHL's player of the week, has inflicted most of the damage with nine goals and seven assists.

The Ottawa Senators' 1999 draft pick is the front-runner in the WHL scoring race, one point up on the Red Deer Rebels’ Justin Mapletoft.

Because they have another year to sign Ulmer, the Sens returned him to Swift Current for further seasoning. The Broncos accepted the proven sniper — he notched 50 goals last season — with open arms.

"There's not too many players of his type in the league," said McEwen.

"He came back with a good attitude and he's really played well."

The Broncos have also excelled on special teams, sniping 10 power-play goals while surrendering only four while short-handed.

"It's just one of those things where the guys have really clicked," said McEwen. "You can talk all you want about your power play, but it comes down to the personnel you put out there."

With Ulmer and defencemen Dean Serdachny and Jay Langager, the Broncos have their limit of three 20-year-olds.

As a result, winger Brett Allan may be traded when he’s deemed healthy.

Allan, a Bentley native and graduate of the Red Deer minor hockey program, underwent ankle surgery in June and should get the green light to resume playing in 10 to 14 days. For McEwen, it will be decision time, although he won't necessarily make a move right away.

"We have to decide whether we want two 20-year-olds up front or two on the back end," said McEwen. "The thing with Brett is he's been an important part of this team for four years."

If the Broncos defeat the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings Thursday, Friday's contest with the 4-0 Rebels at the Civic Centre will be a battle between the only undefeated teams in the league. "We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves," said McEwen.

"I'm not sure we're as  good as our record.”

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 - The Brandon Wheat Kings have suffered every possible type of injury over the past few years. Now forward Mike Wirll is sidelined with a headache. The 18-year-old experienced head pain during a 7-5 season-opening win over Regina, and considering his 1999-2000 season ended in February with a serious concussion and blood clot on the brain, his anxiety was understandable. Wirll visited his neurologist in Regina and although a CT scan revealed nothing of concern, he'll be out of action for close to a month.
"It looks like it's nothing major," Wirll told the Brandon Sun. "I was a little scared because I didn’t know what the headaches were from. But the CT scan was all clear and the doctor says everything is looking up. So I should be back in probably less than a month."

 - The Wheat Kings are leaving their fate in the hands of two 17-year-old netminders. For now, at least. Brandon has released 20-year-old Shaun Fleming, acquired from Regina in early September, leaving rookies Geoff McIntosh and Krister Toews to mind the store.

 - Another rookie goaltender, Brett Jaeger, received his WHL baptism by fire in the Medicine Hat Tigers’ 3-2 overtime win in Moose Jaw Sunday. When Tigers veteran stopper Kyle Kettles received a slashing major and ensuing game misconduct in the first period, Jaeger came off the bench and stopped 26 of 27 shots the rest of the way.
"Maybe that’s the best way for a rookie goaltender to enter the league," winked Tigers assistant coach Randy Wong.
"Don't give him a chance to think, just get him in there." Jaeger is no stranger to success. He was an AJHL all-star with the Drayton Valley Thunder last season.