(submitted photo/Marla Possberg)

By Ben Tompkins

Top 150 Scouting Rankings

Broncos’ Van Blaricom recognized as potential future NHLer

Jan 16, 2024 | 5:29 PM

A young Humboldt Broncos forward has been recognized for his past successes and future potential as a professional hockey player.

The National Hockey League Central Scouting recently released its mid-term rankings heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, which featured one player from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

His name is Matthew Van Blaricom and he is just 17 years old.

“I was pretty pumped; it’s a big opportunity and I’m excited that I’m being rewarded for what I’ve been doing here, so that’s really nice to see,” he told northeastNOW. “We were kinda waiting for it, but it was a little bit of a surprise and obviously we were kind of hoping for it and it was something that was definitely nice to see.”

Van Blaricom has become a household name in the SJHL, as in just shy of 70 games, the Southey, Sask. product has competed in the SJHL/MJHL Showcase, committed to Div I University, won a gold medal with Team Canada, and put up just under 80 points.

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(Submitted photo/Marla Possberg)

For someone who is hoping to make the NHL one day, that’s quite a good start ahead of their 18th birthday.

“The plan is to make the NHL. This is definitely a big step for now and then hopefully, I can build off this and get to where I want to be from here, so definitely a big honour,” Van Blaricom added.

As of now, the 5-11, 174-pound forward will just continue to focus on one day at a time and do what he’s done to get to this point.

“Just keep playing my game, don’t change anything up, just keep playing how I am and just keep going throughout here,” he said.

Ultimately, the dream is to be the best of the best, maybe even on a specific team.

The man with the fifth most goals in the league this season, trailing only 20-year-olds in that category, has modelled his game after one of the best goal-scorers in hockey history, who just so happens to be on his favourite club.

“I’m hoping for the Washington Capitals; that’s my been my favourite team. But I mean, wherever I go, I’ll be happy,” Van Blaricom mentioned. “I’m a big Alex Ovechkin guy.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8