Blades sign Team Slovakia centre František Dej to standard player contract
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades are happy to announce the signing of 2005-born centre František Dej to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Standard Player Agreement.
“František brings two years of World Junior experience making team Slovakia as an 18 and 19-year-old,” said Blades general manager and president, Colin Priestner, “We were able to add him thanks to a rule where former CHL players who played in a previous season are eligible to be picked up by one of the other leagues, and Dej has been playing in the top men’s league in Slovakia. We looked over all the potential names across the CHL over the past two years of players who did not return after their first season, and Dej was the top candidate for what we were looking for.”
The Bratislava, SVK native scored one goal and two assists with Slovakia at this year’s World Junior Championship in Ottawa, ON. After four goals and 12 assists in 50 games with the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’ (QMJHL) Sherbrooke Phoenix last season, Dej returned to his home country for the 2024-25 campaign. The 19-year-old forward’s notched two assists in 15 games this season with HK Dulca Trencin of the Slovak Extraliga, the top pro league in Slovakia.
“Dej is a 6-foot-5 centre who wins a lot of faceoffs, has edge and toughness, and can play in all different situations,” said Priestner, “He was quite a handful for teams at the World Juniors given his size and willingness to engage. We are really excited to have him for the second half.”
Dej is expected to join the team Friday in Calgary for their game against the Hitmen.
The Blades want to welcome the Dej family to Blade City, and look forward to František joining the Blue and Gold on the ice.
