Blades fill gap in picks through deal with Vees
Edmonton, AB – The Saskatoon Blades have acquired the Penticon Vees fifth round (93rd overall) pick of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft in exchange for 2006-born forward Willy James.
Signed by the Blades in March 2023, James played 69 games with the Blades across two seasons. The Calgary, AB native scored five goals and 16 assists in that span. James registered three assists in 15 playoff games as a rookie in the team’s run to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2024.
The Blades now hold the following picks ahead of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft:
| ROUND | PICK | ORIGINAL TEAM | PLAYER |
| 1 | 22 | Medicine Hat Tigers | |
| 2 | 24 | Penticton Vees | |
| 2 | 35 | Seattle Thunderbirds | |
| 4 | 72 | Regina Pats | |
| 5 | 93 | Penticton Vees | |
| 6 | 118 | Regina Pats | |
| 6 | 129 | Saskatoon Blades | |
| 8 | 170 | Tri-City Americans | |
| 9 | 198 | Saskatoon Blades | |
| 10 | 221 | Saskatoon Blades |
Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft gets underway at 5:00pm CT on Wednesday, May 7. Fans can watch the entire first round for FREE on Victory+.
The U.S. Priority Draft begins Thursday, May 8 at 8:00am CT, followed by the remaining rounds of the WHL Prospects Draft.
