Not like the NHL, junior hockey can really feel like a whirlwind. Gamers are solely eligible to play from ages 16 to 21, that means that solely the particular few stay with a group for 5 years; extra generally, gamers are solely round for 2 or three seasons earlier than going off to play within the NHL or discover new alternatives elsewhere. The Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Saskatoon Blades noticed a number of fan-favourites go away through the 2024-25 season, leaving the group with a model new look partway by the 12 months.
However, in response to Troy Gillard, the play-by-play voice for the Pink Deer Rebels, that’s a part of what makes junior hockey so particular. It’s at all times thrilling to cheer for the gamers who will go on to change into family names, however “you additionally get these guys which have labored their tails off within the WHL, go off to play college or faculty hockey for 3 or 4 extra years, after which go on to prolonged professions, they usually’re doing properly for themselves that method. And you then get to know different guys who you simply by no means fairly know the place their journeys are going. I really like the distinctive tales that include being round a junior hockey membership. All of these issues meshing collectively is what retains me coming again.”
Many followers can relate to Gillard’s standpoint. Irrespective of the place a participant goes or how lengthy they keep, it’s at all times particular to have them go by their hometown area. Because the Blades gear as much as hit the ice once more in September, right here’s a reminder of those that spent a while in Saskatoon final season and the place they’ll play in 2025-26.
Offseason Strikes
Frantisek Dej
At 6-foot-5, Frantisek Dej is an imposing ahead, which is precisely why the Blades introduced him on board following the 2024 World Junior Championship. The Slovakian had spent a season within the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in 2023-24, however returned dwelling when the group determined to make use of their import spots on Latvian goalie Linards Feldbergs and Swiss defender Elia Pedrotti. Dej acquired a second probability in North America with Saskatoon, nevertheless it was admittedly underwhelming; after 15 video games, he had simply two assists. Accidents had been a difficulty, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to commit to a different Import spot, so the 19-year-old was allowed to return dwelling once more. He’s set to affix HC Banska Bystrica for the 2025-26 season.
Morgan Tastad and William James
For the primary time in almost 20 years, the WHL admitted an growth group, granting the Penticton Vees the twenty third spot within the league. That meant an growth draft, and it was anybody’s guess as to who the group would choose from every group. Nevertheless, Saskatoon determined to get one thing in return for shedding a participant, and as a substitute of merely letting the Vees choose somebody, despatched defenceman Morgan Tastad and prospect Ethan Weber to the brand new group in change for a second-round choose within the 2025 WHL Draft. Not lengthy after, the Blades made one other commerce with the Vees, sending ahead Willy James for a mid-round choose, which was used to maneuver up into the primary spherical and choose Kain Martinuk fifteenth total.
For each gamers, it’s a constructive change of surroundings. “For Willy James, it was an incredible probability at a refresh,” Blades basic supervisor Colin Priestner after the deal was introduced, “He had an incredible begin to the 12 months for the primary 10 video games, after which (suffered) a number of accidents and simply by no means acquired on observe with us. There’s so many younger guys coming in which are signed, so we didn’t need him to be in a numbers sport.” As for the defensive-minded Tastad, he wasn’t anticipated to push for a prime pairing spot in Saskatoon, however in Penticton, he’ll be one of the vital skilled defenders on their blue line. Each gamers will return of their new uniforms on Feb. 25, 2026, when the Vees go to Saskatoon for the primary time.
Hudson Kibblewhite
Simply over a month in the past, the Blades made their ultimate roster transfer earlier than coaching camp, sending 18-year-old ahead Hudson Kibblewhite to the Lethbridge Hurricanes for the 19-year-old defenceman Tristan Doyle, together with a number of picks going both method. It could appear hypocritical to commerce away Tastad as a result of he wouldn’t have many alternatives on this 12 months’s blue line, then purchase a veteran defender a couple of months later, however Priestner defined, “We completely love and have big confidence in our rising four-man D group at 2007…and we felt it was essential so as to add one veteran defenceman to that group to insulate them and provides them the chance to thrive of their roles since we didn’t have any 19 or 20 12 months year-old defencemen returning with (Grayden) Siepmann and (Ben) Saunderson graduating.”
As for Kibblewhite, he’ll hopefully take one other step in his improvement after two seasons of accidents and inconsistency on Saskatoon’s backside six. “I believe Kibblewhite has had an up-and-down first half with accidents, however there’s a ton of upside there with him,” Priestner stated again in January following the flurry of deadline strikes. If he can keep wholesome, he has an incredible probability to play some massive minutes with a retooling Lethbridge group that misplaced Brayden Yager to the American Hockey League (AHL), Leo Braillard to Switzerland, and Miguel Marques to the NCAA.
WHL Graduates
Ben Saunderson
Saunderson first donned the blue and gold on March 26, 2021, and over the following 4 seasons, he grew to become one of many Blades’ most dependable defencemen, mixing arduous work with robust defensive positioning. He threw massive hits, shut down prime opposing forwards, and ensured his teammates had probably the most alternatives to thrive. He additionally had some talent with the puck, too, totalling 10 objectives and 87 factors over 259 video games, along with his most-productive season coming simply this previous 12 months, the place he put up 36 factors in 67 video games. However what made him actually a particular participant was his dedication to serving his neighborhood. He at all times made time to talk to children and provides again in any method he might, which earned him the ‘C’ for 2024-25 and the Neighborhood Minded Award on the finish of the season.
Saunderson initially dedicated to Quinnipiac College for the 2025-26 season, however over the offseason, he switched his dedication to the College of Saskatchewan. “I’m tremendous excited [to be joining the Huskies], I’ve been in Saskatoon for 5 years now with the Blades, and it appears like a second dwelling to me,” he stated following the announcement. “The Huskies are only a first-class group, and I’m tremendous proud to be part of it. I’ve heard nothing however good issues concerning the education facet and the group, their profitable historical past, and clearly, a very good 12 months final 12 months made it arduous to depart town.”
Grayden Siepmann
Siepmann was acquired from the Calgary Hitmen in 2023-24 to assist in giving the Blades a longtime top-four defenceman as they pushed to assert their first Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise historical past. It took a while for him to regulate to his new group, however as soon as the playoffs started, he was able to go. Siepmann’s 9 factors in 16 video games tied Saunderson for third amongst defencemen earlier than Saskatoon was despatched dwelling by the Moose Jaw Warriors within the semi-final.
Siepmann caught round for the 2024-25 as one among Saskatoon’s three 20-year-olds and continued to offer a constant offensive risk from the blue line. In 68 video games, he put up a career-high 10 objectives and 48 factors, then led the group with two objectives in 4 playoff video games. Like many different WHL graduates, he dedicated to the NCAA, becoming a member of the College of Minnesota-Duluth. He’ll be the group’s solely freshman defenceman subsequent season, however he has some wonderful mentors in Adam Kleber and Brady Cleveland as he navigates his first season of faculty hockey.
Tanner Scott
The ultimate Blades graduate additionally spent the least period of time in Saskatoon. Tanner Scott was acquired from the Victoria Royals, the place he performed from 2020 till the commerce. “I’m very shocked, clearly,” he stated after the commerce. “I used to be imagined to be a five-year man there…(however) I really like the chance right here, I really like my new linemates, and it looks like we discovered some chemistry instantly.” Scott recorded 142 factors in 245 video games with the Royals for a 0.58 point-per-game (PPG) tempo over his profession there, however in Saskatoon, he put up 20 factors in 33 video games, leaping as much as 0.61 PPG. An upper-body harm saved him off the ice through the playoffs, which put a damper on his ultimate video games within the WHL. Nevertheless, his future continues to be shiny, as he’s off to Bowling Inexperienced State College together with a number of different WHLers.
Commerce Deadline Departures
Blades’ followers are doubtless too acquainted with the group’s exodus of gamers final January, nevertheless it’s worthwhile to recollect the gamers that helped form the roster to what it’s immediately.
Two massive names headlined the Blades’ flurry of strikes: Brandon Lisowsky and Tanner Molendyk. Each gamers had made a house in Saskatoon and had been massive components of the playoff push in 2023-24 that led to heartbreak, however each will reside on with the franchise. Lisowsky left for the Royals with 143-career objectives, the fourth-highest whole in franchise historical past, and Molendyk emerged as one of the vital dynamic defencemen within the WHL, resulting in the Blades renaming their annual Defenceman of the 12 months to the Tanner Molendyk Award.
Each discovered differing levels of success after leaving Saskatoon. Lisowsky remained a point-per-game participant, recording 18 objectives and 31 factors in 32 video games with the Royals. Though he didn’t earn the NHL contract he hoped for, he’s off to Colorado School to proceed his hockey profession within the NCAA. Molendyk grew to become a significant piece for the Drugs Hat Tigers’ championship-winning group and almost captured a Memorial Cup earlier than falling simply quick to the highly effective London Knights. He’s now off to start out his professional profession with the Nashville Predators and is slated to affix their AHL group, the Milwaukee Admirals.
4 different gamers left the Blades roster at the moment. Misha Volotovskii joined Molendyk in Drugs Hat and is about to return to the Tigers as one of many group’s 20-year-olds. Lukas Hansen was despatched to the Hitmen, and though his time was fraught with accidents, he, too, is about to return as one among Calgary’s leaders. Lochlan Tetarenko additionally struggled with accidents final season and solely performed 5 video games with the Portland Winterhawks after the commerce. He’ll be itching to reassert his place within the lineup after lacking most of 2024-25.
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The ultimate participant moved was possibly probably the most complicated, as Ben Riche was main the Blades with 54 factors earlier than he was despatched to the Prince George Cougars. “From the second I stepped in, (I felt like a Blade),” he stated, after main the WHL in preseason factors. “I got here in just a little bit early, and I did a children’ camp, which is sweet to return meet a number of the guys. They had been very welcoming. An important group, and it’s tremendous constructive and an incredible ambiance within the room.”
Regardless of trying like the proper Blade, the Cougars made a suggestion Saskatoon might hardly refuse, sending Hunter Laing, prospect Luke Dumas, and two draft picks for the breakout star. Nevertheless, Riche solely managed 20 factors in his final 27 video games in Prince George, plus three factors in seven playoff video games. His robust begin noticed him ranked 174th by NHL Central Scouting for the 2025 Draft as an overager, however he was dropped off after his slower second half. Initially, he had dedicated to Quinnipiac College for 2026-27, however a less-than-ideal end to final season could have modified his thoughts, and he moved up his enrolment date to this fall.
Blink and You’ll Miss It
Austin Elliott
One of many first gamers to depart the Blades final season, veteran netminder Austin Elliott was an unlucky sufferer of circumstance. Though he was coming into his 20-year-old season and had began for Saskatoon for the previous two campaigns, he misplaced his spot to standout rookie Evan Gardner. It didn’t make sense for Saskatoon to make use of one among their three overage spots on a backup goalie, so he was launched in October after going undefeated in three video games.
Over within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Knights had an identical state of affairs with their goalies. Rookie Alexei Medvedev was set to make his OHL debut alongside 20-year-old backup Owen Willmore, who backed up Michael Simpson to a 2024 Championship. However for a group one other title run, their crease lacked expertise, which Elliott had loads of after serving to Saskatoon declare first place within the WHL the earlier season. So, Whitmore was launched to make room for the previous Blade, and Elliott went on to place up historic numbers with the OHL powerhouse. Over 33 begins, he misplaced only one sport, which got here after 12 begins, and within the playoffs, he was almost good en path to a second title for London.
Elliott capped off his exceptional season with a Memorial Cup title with London and an invitation to attend the Dallas Stars improvement camp in the summertime. He’s now off to varsity at UMass-Lowell, the place he and two different freshmen will compete for the beginning job this season. Whereas competitors shall be stiff, nobody else has had a 2024-25 season like Elliott, which can give him the within observe for the job. And who is aware of? Perhaps an NHL contract will comply with earlier than too lengthy.
Logan Cunningham
There’s no disgrace in forgetting Logan Cunningham’s time with the Blades. After taking part in with Victoria and the Edmonton Oil Kings, the 19-year-old goalie joined Saskatoon in the beginning of the 2024-25 season to again up Gardner. However, after only one sport, he was traded to the Tri-Metropolis Individuals, the place he didn’t see a single begin earlier than becoming a member of the Devon Xtreme within the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). Regardless of recording a .914 save share over 12 begins, it appears he wasn’t happy there, and in January 2025, he signed with the British Columbia Hockey League’s (BCHL) Vernon Vipers, the place he completed the season. Nevertheless, he could also be heading again to Alberta, because the Xtreme not too long ago introduced they’d traded him to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. He’s nonetheless eligible to return to the WHL for yet another season, however that appears unlikely at this level.
Cameron Sytsma
Cameron Sytsma joined the Blades early in 2024-25 from the Everett Silvertips to assist shore up their blueline. However after 15 video games and 0 factors, he was launched and joined the Langley Rivermen within the BCHL, the place he performed one other three video games. At 19 years previous, he might discover one other WHL group, however he might additionally have a look at an NCAA program for this or subsequent season.
Vlastimil Blazek
The Blades’ prime import alternative within the 2024 draft, the Czech ahead by no means discovered his sport in North America. He skated in simply 15 video games, recording two assists, and was a frequent wholesome scratch earlier than he was quietly launched forward of the 2024-25 commerce deadline in January. He joined Kärpät’s program in Finland, taking part in one other 5 video games between the U18 and U20 groups earlier than the season ended. On the time of publication, Elite Prospects has not listed Blazek as an lively participant for 2025-26.
Gearing Up for the New Season
Final season was a rising one for the Blades, but they remained aggressive all through the season, forcing their method into the playoffs regardless of promoting off most of their prime expertise on the deadline. The younger core is now in place, headlined by Cooper Williams and David Lewandowski and supported by a cohort of younger, proficient gamers all through the lineup. Gardner can also be more likely to return, giving the Blades the most effective goalies within the league, and he’ll assist mentor up-and-coming star Ryley Budd. The 2025-26 season could have a lot increased expectations than 2024-25, however given what the Blades did final season, that shouldn’t be an issue for this group.
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