Blades complete New Year’s Ever blockbuster acquiring superstar Suzdalev from Pats
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades beat the clock before midnight on New Year’s Eve acquiring Washington Capitals forward prospect Alexander Suzdalev (’04) and a 2025 sixth-round pick (REG) from the Regina Pats. Headed Regina’s way is rookie forward Zach Moore (’06), import defenceman Samuel Barcik (’05), rookie defenceman Dayton Deschamps, a 2025 fourth-round pick (SAS), a first-round pick in 2026 (SAS), and 2026 third-rounder (SAS).
“We feel Alex is one of the most exciting junior hockey players in the world,” said Blades general manager and president Colin Priestner, “His performance in the playoffs against us last year was incredible and his excitement to return to the WHL and come to Saskatoon made this an easy decision for us.”
Blades’ fans got a good taste of what the superstar sniper is all about last season who gives the team five NHL drafted players on their roster. The 6-foot-3 winger was one of the league’s most dangerous scorers in his rookie 2022-23 season scoring 38 goals and 86 points in 66 regular season contests. Where Bridge City Faithful got a real sense of what the 19-year-old can bring was in the Blades’ first round playoff series against the Pats. The Khabarovsk, Russia product potted three goals and ten points in the seven-game series that ultimately went Saskatoon’s way.
“He is an elite shooter and has extremely high hockey IQ and vision,” stated Priestner, “The fact he played two seasons on a line with Connor Bedard (one in Sweden during 2021 season) shows he’s able to produce with other high-end players. His skill level is off the charts and we’re very excited to see how he fits in our top-six. I think it opens up a lot of intriguing possibilities for Brennan Sonne and his coaching staff at even-strength and on the powerplay.”
Suzdalev was drafted in the third round (70th overall) by the Capitals at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. After playing three preseason contests with the AHL’s Hershey Bears at the start of the 2023-24 season, Suzdalev was loaned to Mora IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan, the second tier Swedish hockey league. Through 13 games in the country he grew up playing, Suzdalev’s produced two goals and one assist.
Moore was drafted by the Blades in the second round (34th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. The Saskatoon, SK native has one goal and two assists through 36 career WHL games. Barcik was the Blades’ lone import draft pick last summer, leading Saskatoon rookies in points with six (1G, 5A). Deschamps has ten points (5G, 5A) in 16 games with the Saskatoon Blazers U18AAA squad. The Blades wish all three men the best in their newest chapter.
“Zach and Samuel both did everything we ever asked of them as rookies on a veteran-laden team and neither was a player we had any intention of moving,” said Priestner,” However, when this opportunity presented itself we knew that Regina needed to be compensated fairly in order to move Alexander to us and these two players, along with our unsigned prospect Dayton Deschamps, being in the deal made it possible”.
This is the second deal the Blades and Pats have made this season, previously acquiring 2005-born defenceman Carter Herman from Saskatchewan’s capital.
“It’s never easy to make a trade like this in your own division to a rival team so I really want to thank Alan Millar and the Pats for working together on a trade as they are going younger and they highly coveted the players and picks they acquired,” said Priestner, “We did a similar deal with Hajek and Hebig going to them when they were all-in during the 2017 Memorial Cup year and sometimes it can work out very well for both sides, even if you are trading with one of your biggest rivals.”
The Blades are ecstatic to welcome the Suzdalev family to the organization and look forward to working with Alexander as the club pursues their first championship banner in franchise history.
