Blades captain Saunderson commits to NCAA’s Quinnipiac University Men’s Hockey for next season
Saskatoon, SK – Saskatoon Blades captain Ben Saunderson announced his commitment to the NCAA’s Quinnipiac University Men’s Hockey team on Monday.
The fifth-year Blade will compete for Quinnipiac University Athletics to begin the 2025-26 season upon conclusion of his Western Hockey League (WHL) eligibility.
“I’m excited to announce my commitment to Quinnipiac University for the 2025-26 season,” said Saunderson, “I’m in my fifth WHL season with the Blades, and I couldn’t have asked for a better home for the last half decade. I want to thank everyone within the organization who helped me get to this point. I can’t wait to continue my hockey career next fall with Quinnipiac following my final year in the WHL.”
The 6-foot-2 defenceman’s appeared in 219 career WHL games, scoring eight goals and 60 assists for 68 points. Saunderson’s 0.63 points per game (Pts/G) this season is the highest in his career, owning two goals and 15 assists in 27 games.
“No one deserves this opportunity more than Ben,” said Blades general manager, Colin Priestner, “He’s been the model for Blades hockey and development on and off the ice since he was drafted in 2019. He’s been a workhorse on our blue line, and we couldn’t be more excited for Ben to showcase his talents at the NCAA level.”
The Carberry, MB product has 35 playoff games under his belt in the Bridge City. Saunderson’s produced two goals, including a overtime winner in Round 2 versus the Red Deer Rebels last spring, and nine assists in his postseason career.
The NCAA Division I Council voted November 7 that players who have skated in one of the three Canadian Hockey Leagues (CHL) — the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the WHL — will be permitted to play NCAA hockey effective Aug. 1, 2025. Previously, CHL players had been considered professionals and barred because of the NCAA’s amateurism rules, in part because some CHL players have signed NHL entry-level contracts.
The Blades want to congratulate Ben on his commitment to NCAA Division I hockey and look forward to the remainder of his WHL career!
