Saskatoon Blades - Feed

Williams drafted by Maple Leafs in fifth round of 2026 NHL Entry Draft

Steve Horne — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:18:29 +0000

Buffalo, NY – Super Cooper is flying hire over Toronto, ON, and he's not alone. The 18-year-old centre was drafted in the fifth round (158th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday. The Leafs drafted teammate and fellow Calgary, AB native Zach Olsen in the third round (73rd overall) earlier in the day. Williams is the eighth Blade in franchise history to be drafted by the Leafs, joining defenceman Marty Feschuk (1974), Blades Hall of Famer Wendel Clark (1985), forward Mark Holick (1986), defenceman Mark Raiter, forward Mark Deyell (1994), forward Brandon Lisowsky (2022), and Olsen (2026). Williams was drafted by the Blades in the second round (41st overall) at the 2023 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft. Before arriving to the league, Williams captured the 2024 Telus Cup with the Alberta Elite Hockey League's (AEHL) U18 Calgary Buffaloes. The left-handed shot was named an Eastern Conference finalist for Western Hockey League (WHL) Rookie of the Year in 2024-25. Williams scored 21 goals and 36 assists for 57 points in 68 games his rookie campaign to help push a young Blades squad to a 37-23-4-4 record and postseason berth. It was the most points scored by a Blades rookie in the last quarter century. The Calgary, AB native finished second in team scoring this past season after his second straight 57-point campaign (23G, 34A). The 6-foot-1 centre scored arguably two of the biggest goals for the Blades in the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Williams tied Game 6 of Round 1 against the Edmonton Oil Kings with seven seconds left to force double overtime at SaskTel Centre. Despite the Blades losing Game 6, the man known as "Super Cooper" tied Game 7 2-2 with 5:08 remaining in regulation to force overtime on the road. The game-tying goal ultimately led to a series victory for the Bridge City Bunch, the first ever on the road in franchise history. Williams finished the postseason with two goals and four assists in 11 games through two rounds. Williams represented Team Canada for the first time in August 2025 at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The two-way centre scored a goal and finished with a +1 rating in three games at the tournament. Williams also represented Team East on behalf of the Blades at the inaugural WHL Prospects Game in February 2026 alongside teammates Olsen and Brayden Klimpke. Williams dished two helpers in a 5-4 overtime victory. Three Blades were selected in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Klimpke was selected in the fourth round (117th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens.

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The 2026 NHL Entry Draft marks the ninth year in a row a Blades-drafted player has heard their name called to the stage. 2026 - Toronto Maple Leafs - F Cooper Williams (158th overall) 2026 - Montreal Canadiens - D Brayden Klimpke (117th overall) 2026 - Toronto Maple Leafs - F Zach Olsen (73rd overall) 2025 – Edmonton Oilers – F David Lewandowski (117th overall) 2024 – Columbus Blue Jackets – G Evan Gardner (60th overall) 2023 – Anaheim Ducks – F Egor Sidorov (85th overall) 2023 – Nashville Predators – D Tanner Molendyk (24th overall) 2022 – Toronto Maple Leafs – F Brandon Lisowsky (218th overall) 2021 – Chicago Blackhawks – F Colton Dach (62nd overall) 2020 – San Jose Sharks – F Tristen Robins (56th overall) 2019 – Chicago Blackhawks – F Kirby Dach (3rd overall) 2018 – Washington Capitals – F Eric Florchuk (217th overall)

Klimpke drafted 117th overall by Canadiens at 2026 NHL Entry Draft

Steve Horne — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:28:40 +0000

Buffalo, NY – Teammates on the Saskatoon Blades, Brayden Klimpke and Zach Olsen are now on opposing sides of an original six NHL rivalry. Klimpke became the second Blade to hear his name called at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday, selected in the fourth round (117th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens. Olsen was drafted one round earlier by the Toronto Maple Leafs at 73rd overall. Klimpke is the fifth Blade in franchise history to be drafted by the Canadiens, joining goalie Ed Humphries (1773), defencemen Darren Dietz and Dalton Thrower (2012), and forward Nikita Scherbak (2014). A late 2007 birthday, this year marks the first time the Calgary, AB native is eligible for the NHL draft. The 6-foot-1 defenceman had a breakout year in his sophomore Western Hockey League (WHL) season. Following an impressive 2024-25 rookie campaign with three goals and 23 assists for 26 points in 59 games, the left-handed shot was named an alternate captain ahead of the 2025-26 season. Klimpke scored a career-high 47 points (4G, 43A) while playing all 68 regular season games for the Blue and Gold. The NHL Draft-eligible defenceman shined in the postseason to help the Blades advance to the second round, upsetting the third-seeded Edmonton Oil Kings in Round 1. Klimpke registered a goal and three assists in the seven-game series against Edmonton, eliminating the Oil Kings 3-2 in Game 7 overtime. In 11 postseason games, Klimpke registered five points (1G, 4A) while averaging around 30 minutes a night against the opposition’s top lines. Klimpke’s efforts earned him the Tanner Molendyk Award for the team’s defenceman of the year and team’s MVP Award. Klimpke cracked NHL Central Scouting’s Rankings three times this season. The 18-year-old finalized at 74th overall amongst North American Skaters in April, five higher than his midterm ranking in January. Blades forward Cooper Williams hopes to complete the Calgary trifecta with his name called at the draft on Saturday.

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The 2026 NHL Entry Draft marks the ninth year in a row a Blades-drafted player has heard their name called to the stage. 2026 - Montreal Canadiens - D Brayden Klimpke (117th overall) 2026 - Toronto Maple Leafs - F Zach Olsen (73rd overall) 2025 – Edmonton Oilers – F David Lewandowski (117th overall) 2024 – Columbus Blue Jackets – G Evan Gardner (60th overall) 2023 – Anaheim Ducks – F Egor Sidorov (85th overall) 2023 – Nashville Predators – D Tanner Molendyk (24th overall) 2022 – Toronto Maple Leafs – F Brandon Lisowsky (218th overall) 2021 – Chicago Blackhawks – F Colton Dach (62nd overall) 2020 – San Jose Sharks – F Tristen Robins (56th overall) 2019 – Chicago Blackhawks – F Kirby Dach (3rd overall) 2018 – Washington Capitals – F Eric Florchuk (217th overall)

Olsen drafted by Maple Leafs in third round of 2026 NHL Entry Draft

Steve Horne — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:55:08 +0000

Buffalo, NY – Saskatoon Blades forward Zach Olsen is headed to "The Six." The 6-foot-2 was the first Blade to hear their name called at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, NY, selected 73rd overall in the third round by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Olsen is the seventh Blade in franchise history to be drafted by the Leafs, joiningdefenceman Marty Feschuk (1974), Blades Hall of Famer Wendel Clark (1985), forward Mark Holick (1986), defenceman Mark Raiter, forward Mark Deyell (1994), and forward Brandon Lisowsky (2022). Olsen was Saskatoon's first selection at the 2023 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft, drafted in second round 29th overall. The right-handed shot made his WHL debut on Mar. 23, 2024 at SaskTel Centre in front of a home crowd of 13,000+. The Calgary, AB native scored 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 60 games during his rookie campaign in 2024-25. In 57 games this past season, Olsen set new career highs with 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points, tacking on 79 penalty minutes. On Dec. 9, 2025 visiting the Moose Jaw Warriors, Olsen became the first Blade to score four goals in a period since the Internet Era began in the WHL. The speedy power-forward scored four goals in a 10:44 span during the second period en route to a 9-3 victory. The 18-year-old winger made his mark in the 2026 WHL Playoffs scoring two goals and four assists in ten games. Olsen's physicality and tenacity was a crucial factor in the Blades defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings in Round 1 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Saskatoon entered the series as the sixth-seed in the Eastern Conference and downed the 2022 WHL Champions in Game 7 overtime. After losing in the second round to the Prince Albert Raiders, Olsen represented the maple leaf for the first time in his career at the IIHF U18 World Junior Championship. Olsen potted two goals in five games at the tournament.

Olsen attended the 2026 NHL Draft Combine earlier this month and was voted as the most underrated prospect in this year's draft, according to a poll conducted by The Athletic earlier this month. The remainder of the 2026 NHL Entry draft continues Saturday. Fellow Blades Cooper Williams and Brayden Klimpke hope to hear their names called alongside teammates Olsen on Day 2 of the 2026 Entry Draft.

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The 2026 NHL Entry Draft marks the ninth year in a row a Blades-drafted player has heard their name called to the stage. 2026 - Toronto Maple Leafs - F Zach Olsen (73rd overall) 2025 – Edmonton Oilers – F David Lewandowski (117th overall) 2024 – Columbus Blue Jackets – G Evan Gardner (60th overall) 2023 – Anaheim Ducks – F Egor Sidorov (85th overall) 2023 – Nashville Predators – D Tanner Molendyk (24th overall) 2022 – Toronto Maple Leafs – F Brandon Lisowsky (218th overall) 2021 – Chicago Blackhawks – F Colton Dach (62nd overall) 2020 – San Jose Sharks – F Tristen Robins (56th overall) 2019 – Chicago Blackhawks – F Kirby Dach (3rd overall) 2018 – Washington Capitals – F Eric Florchuk (217th overall)

Blades hire Lang as team’s new equipment manager

Steve Horne — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:50:54 +0000

Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades are excited to announce Hunter Lang as the club’s new equipment manager. Lang has a wealth of experience in similar roles. The Sherwood Park, AB native spent the past three seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) as the head trainer and equipment manager for the Cowichan Valley Capitals between 2023-2026. The 22-year-old served as the Edmonton Oil King's assistant equipment manager between 2019-2022, which culminated in a Western Hockey League (WHL) Championship in the 2021-22 campaign. "I am extremely excited to be a part of such a great organization with a long history of great success from players to staff," said Lang, "I can't wait to be apart of the Blades organization." Lang took over for Brady Lake, who served as the Blades equipment manager for the past two seasons. We want to thank Brady for his relentless work ethic and contributions to the organization and wish him well on his next chapter. Welcome to Blade City, Hunter!

2026 NHL Draft Profile | Zach Olsen, Saskatoon Blades

Steve Horne — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:49:33 +0000

From the outside, Zach Olsen's rise through the NHL Draft ranks might have some scratching their heads. The bare stats don't necessarily fly off the page- but as Olsen's coaches, teammates and opponents will tell you, goals and assists don't tell the full story. In fact, in a recent poll by The Athletic's Scott Wheeler, the Saskatoon Blades winger was voted the most underrated player in the 2026 NHL Draft class by his peers. "He's always moving," Blades star and fellow draft-eligible forward Cooper Williams said. "He's big and he's strong, and when you add his speed to it, he's hard to stop in puck battles, and he's just always competing as hard as he can." https://twitter.com/scottcwheeler/status/2067013040051032424 In a sophomore season that saw him switch from centre to right wing, Olsen posted 18 goals (including three game-winners) and 16 assists for 34 points in 57 regular-season games, along with a team-leading 79 penalty minutes. Blades Head Coach Dan DaSilva sees shades of gritty Washington Capitals alternate captain and Stanley Cup champion Tom Wilson in the youngster's game. "He's such a presence when he's on the ice. The opponent knows when Tom Wilson is on the ice, and our opponents know when Zach's out there, " DaSilva explained. "He can play up and down your lineup. He can play a fourth-line checking role, where you need someone to just be responsible defensively, bring energy, and get on the forecheck, and then he can also play in the top six, on your top line, where he's on the forecheck, creating time and space for his teammates, getting them the puck and getting open and getting to the net, and he can finish really well. He's really a complementary player to anyone he's playing with." Clocking in at 6-foot-1.25 and 207 pounds, Olsen prides himself on the work he's put in to round out his 200-foot game without losing his sandpaper approach. "I definitely like to get gritty and get dirty," Olsen added. "I like to go to the dirty areas, go to the corners, get to the net front, and kind of just try to get under people's skin. I know my physicality, definitely, is a huge part of my game, and I know in the NHL there are lots of physical guys out there, so I think it'll translate well." https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2068809172402262021 The Calgary, Alta. product tacked on another six points (2G-4A) in 10 playoff games to upset the Edmonton Oil Kings before falling to the eventual Eastern Conference Champion Prince Albert Raiders and got the call to Team Canada for the first time shortly afterwards. Olsen notched a pair of goals in five games for Canada at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship, scored for Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game and has raised his NHL Central Scouting ranking to 36th among all North American skaters. He placed in the top 20 in five of 15 tests at the 2026 NHL Combine, including a fifth-place finish in anaerobic fitness- peak power output (watts/kg). And he's doing this while managing additional health factors. Olsen was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was in the second grade. "I got super, super sick," Olsen said. "My parents noticed even weeks before that, that something was going on with me. I wasn’t acting like myself. I was drinking lots and lots of water, going to the bathroom a lot, and so one day, my mom decided that it’d be best if we'd take me to the Children’s Hospital. They ended up running some tests and found out that I have Type 1 diabetes. So it was definitely scary at first, kind of learning what diabetes is, and I didn’t know if I’d be able to play hockey." Like many young athletes who've faced a similar diagnosis, Olsen dialled into Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi's journey. He leapt back into elite hockey and even captured a CSSHL U18 Championship with Calgary's Edge School before making the jump to the WHL. Now, he's part of a wave of aspiring professionals carrying the torch. Olsen and his Blades teammate, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner, have advocated for diabetes awareness in Saskatoon and met with local schoolkids to share more about the condition and how it's simply become a part of their game day routines. "(It) feels like I've had it my entire life, so it's kind of just another thing I do," Olsen shrugged. "Got to make sure my blood sugar is right, make sure I'm eating right, just little things like that. (I) just want to help show other younger kids, maybe who are getting diagnosed and they don't know what it is and if they can play, that it's not over and there's always more, and you can keep doing what you do." That leadership extends to the Saskatoon locker room, where DaSilva says Olsen has established himself as a young man that his teammates look up to. "He's a guy that is beloved by his teammates," DaSilva added. "He's a guy that can hold court and everyone's kind of drawn to. He's just got that, you know, great positive energy. He's just emerged as a leader amongst the younger guys, but now, obviously, with some of our older players departing this year, we're going to need guys to step up, and we'll definitely be looking to Zach to do that." Olsen, along with teammates Williams and defenceman Brayden Klimpke, will be glued to the draft boards this weekend. Round 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft begins on Friday, June 26, at 5:00 p.m. MT, with Rounds 2-7 running the following day.

Blades announce 2026 preseason schedule

Steve Horne — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:03:46 +0000

Saskatoon, SK – The Western Hockey League (WHL) announced the 2026 preseason schedule on Monday. The Saskatoon Blades hit the ice five times for exhibition play in the fall. Action begins Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 2:00pm CST with a rookie game at SaskTel Centre against the Prince Albert Raiders. The Bridge City Bunch continue the preseason on Friday, Sept. 4 at InnovationPlex versus the Swift Current Broncos at 7:05pm. Warman Home Centre Communiplex will once again feature the Blades hosting the Raiders on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7:00pm. The Highway 11 rivals lock horns for the final time on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Art Hauser Centre for a 7:00pm puck drop. Saskatoon’s preseason concludes at SaskTel Centre against Maddox Schultz and the Regina Pats at 7:00pm on Saturday, Sept. 12. The 2026-27 WHL regular season schedule will be unveiled Tuesday, June 30.

Full 2026 WHL Preseason Schedule

Visitor	Home	Date	Time	Location
Seattle	Everett	August 30	1 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
Tri-City	Portland	August 30	2 p.m. PT	Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Portland, Ore.
Tri-City	Wenatchee	August 31	2 p.m. PT	Town Toyota Center – Wenatchee, Wash.
Prince Albert	Saskatoon	September 1	2 p.m. ST	SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, Sask.
Medicine Hat	Lethbridge	September 1	7 p.m. MT	VisitLethbridge.com Arena – Lethbridge, Alta.
Swift Current	Regina	September 1	7 p.m. ST	Brandt Centre – Regina, Sask.
Penticton	Kamloops	September 2	7 p.m. PT	Sandman Centre – Kamloops, B.C.
Moose Jaw	Regina	September 2	7 p.m. ST	Brandt Centre – Regina, Sask.
Vancouver	Seattle	September 4	12 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
Spokane	Portland	September 4	3:30 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
Regina	Brandon	September 4	7 p.m. CT	Assiniboine Credit Union Place – Brandon, Man.
Red Deer	Calgary	September 4	7 p.m. MT	7 Chiefs Sportsplex – Tsuut’ina Nation, Alta.
Kelowna	Kamloops	September 4	7 p.m. PT	Sandman Centre – Kamloops, B.C.
Moose Jaw	Prince Albert	September 4	7 p.m. ST	Art Hauser Centre – Prince Albert, Sask.
Edmonton	Prince George	September 4	7 p.m. PT	Tumbler Ridge Arena – Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Saskatoon	Swift Current	September 4	7 p.m. ST	InnovationPlex – Swift Current, Sask.
Tri-City	Everett	September 4	7 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
London (OHL)	Victoria	September 4	7:05 p.m. PT	Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre – Victoria, B.C.
Seattle	Spokane	September 5	2 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
London (OHL)	Victoria	September 5	4:05 p.m. PT	Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre – Victoria, B.C.
Portland	Everett	September 5	6 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
Kamloops	Kelowna	September 5	6:05 p.m. PT	Prospera Place – Kelowna, B.C.
Lethbridge	Medicine Hat	September 5	7 p.m. MT	Co-op Place – Medicine Hat, Alta.
Swift Current	Moose Jaw	September 5	7 p.m. ST	Southland Co-op Centre – Assiniboia, Sask.
Calgary	Red Deer	September 5	6 p.m. MT	Marchant Crane Centrium – Red Deer, Alta.
Brandon	Regina	September 5	6 p.m. ST	Chief Denton George Memorial Multiplex – Ochapowace, Sask.
Prince Albert	Saskatoon	September 5	7 p.m. ST	Warman Home Centre Communiplex – Warman, Sask.
Tri-City	Wenatchee	September 5	6 p.m. PT	Town Toyota Center – Wenatchee, Wash.
Edmonton	Prince George	September 6	12 p.m. PT	Tumbler Ridge Arena – Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Wenatchee	Vancouver	September 6	12 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
Seattle	Everett	September 6	4 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
Regina	Moose Jaw	September 8	7 p.m. ST	Temple Gardens Centre – Moose Jaw, Sask.
Kamloops	Penticton	September 8	6:35 p.m. PT	South Okanagan Events Centre – Penticton, B.C.
Kelowna	Penticton	September 9	6:35 p.m. PT	South Okanagan Events Centre – Penticton, B.C.
Red Deer	Lethbridge	September 10	7 p.m. MT	VisitLethbridge.com Arena – Lethbridge, Alta.
Saskatoon	Prince Albert	September 10	7 p.m. ST	Art Hauser Centre – Prince Albert, Sask.
Wenatchee	Seattle	September 11	3 p.m. PT	Toyota Arena – Kennewick, Wash.
Moose Jaw	Brandon	September 11	7 p.m. CT	Assiniboine Credit Union Place – Brandon, Man.
Swift Current	Medicine Hat	September 11	7 p.m. MT	Co-op Place – Medicine Hat, Alta.
Edmonton	Red Deer	September 11	7 p.m. MT	Marchant Crane Centrium – Red Deer, Alta.
Prince Albert	Regina	September 11	7 p.m. ST	Brandt Centre – Regina, Sask.
Portland	Spokane	September 11	7 p.m. PT	Toyota Arena – Kennewick, Wash.
Victoria	Everett	September 11	7:05 p.m. PT	Angel of the Winds Arena – Everett, Wash.
Seattle	Portland	September 12	2 p.m. PT	Toyota Arena – Kennewick, Wash.
Medicine Hat	Swift Current	September 12	5 p.m. ST	LSB Legacy Wickenheiser Centre – Shaunavon, Sask.
Calgary	Edmonton	September 12	6 p.m. MT	Glenn Hall Centennial Arena – Stony Plain, Alta.
Brandon	Moose Jaw	September 12	6 p.m. ST	Temple Gardens Centre – Moose Jaw, Sask.
Kamloops	Prince George	September 12	5 p.m. PT	West Fraser Centre – Quesnel, B.C.
Regina	Saskatoon	September 12	7 p.m. ST	SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, Sask.
Penticton	Kelowna	September 12	6:05 p.m. PT	Prospera Place – Kelowna, B.C.
Spokane	Tri-City	September 12	6:05 p.m. PT	Toyota Arena – Kennewick, Wash.
Victoria	Vancouver	September 12	7 p.m. PT	Jon Baillie Arena – Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Victoria	Vancouver	September 13	2 p.m. PT	Langley Events Centre ARENAS – Langley, B.C.
Wenatchee	Tri-City	September 13	2:05 p.m. PT	Toyota Arena – Kennewick, Wash.
Prince George	Kamloops	September 13	5 p.m. PT	Sandman Centre – Kamloops, B.C.
Lethbridge	Calgary	September 13	4 p.m. MT	7 Chiefs Sportsplex – Tsuut’ina Nation, Alta.

Former Blades captain Wouters inks first NHL contract with Vancouver Canucks

Steve Horne — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:55:32 +0000

Is 2026-27 the year we finally 'C' Chase Wouters in the NHL? If his latest pro contract is any indication, the odds are looking good for the longtime AHL captain and former Saskatoon Blades star. The Vancouver Canucks have signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, two-way contract. "Chase has worked extremely hard to earn this contract," Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson said. "He is a heart and soul type player, someone who doesn’t cheat the game and always goes the extra mile to work on his craft. Detail-oriented and coachable, Chase is a very good hockey player who leads by example. I am impressed with his development and proud of the progress he has made since turning pro. Besides all his work on the ice, he is the first to raise his hand to help others and go above and beyond in the community. His leadership qualities, skill set, and hockey IQ have helped him take another step forward in his hockey journey." The North Battleford, Sask. product was originally drafted by the Blades with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 WHL Prospects Draft. Wouters went on to register 181 points (75G-106A) in 280 regular-season games over parts of six seasons in the Bridge City. Beyond the stats, he proudly served as captain for three seasons and remains the longest-serving 'C' in the Blades' long history. The 6-foot, 182-pound centreman signed with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has spent his entire professional career with the club. Wouters has racked up 120 points (43G-77A) in 338 games in five seasons with Abbotsford and has served as team captain since 2022. He's won the team's Man of the Year award four times and ranks as the franchise leader in regular-season games played (338) as well as playoff matches (38). Wouters posted five points (2G-3A) in 24 outings to help the Canucks hoist the Calder Cup as AHL Champions in 2024-25 and brought the cup to Saskatoon to celebrate shortly afterward. Tuesday's signing marks Wouters' first NHL contract.

Blades announce 2026-27 Home Opener presented by Go Merlin Ford Lincoln

Steve Horne — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:01:38 +0000

Saskatoon, SK – The first glimpse of the Saskatoon Blades 2026-27 regular season at SaskTel Centre has been revealed. The Blue and Gold welcome fans back to SaskTel Centre for the Home Opener presented by Go Merlin Ford Lincoln on Saturday, Sept 25 at 7:00pm CST against the Prince Albert Raiders. The Bridge City Bunch invade Assiniboine Credit Union Place to begin the season on Friday, Sept, 18 at 6:00pm CST. The 2026 preseason and remainder of regular season schedule are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

2026 NHL DRAFT PROFILE | Brayden Klimpke

Steve Horne — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:41:04 +0000

A lifelong dream for Saskatoon Blades defenceman Brayden Klimpke could become reality in less than two weeks at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. "I think every kid's goal that plays hockey in Western Canada is to hear their name called on (NHL) draft night," said Klimpke, "It's something I've thought about a lot." A late 2007 birthday, this year marks the first time the Calgary, AB native is eligible for the NHL draft. The 6-foot-1 defenceman had a breakout year in his sophomore Western Hockey League (WHL) season. Following an impressive 2024-25 rookie campaign with three goals and 23 assists for 26 points in 59 games, the left-handed shot was named an alternate captain ahead of the 2025-26 season. Klimpke scored a career-high 47 points (4G, 43A) while playing all 68 regular season games for the Blue and Gold. The NHL Draft-eligible defenceman shined in the postseason to help the Blades advance to the second round, upsetting the third-seeded Edmonton Oil Kings in Round 1. Klimpke registered a goal and three assists in the seven-game series against Edmonton, eliminating the Oil Kings 3-2 in Game 7 overtime. In 11 postseason games, Klimpke registered five points (1G, 4A) while averaging around 30 minutes a night against the opposition's top lines. Klimpke's efforts earned him the Tanner Molendyk Award for the team's defenceman of the year and team's MVP Award. Klimpke cracked NHL Central Scouting's Rankings three times this season. The 18-year-old finalized at 74th overall amongst North American Skaters in April, five higher than his midterm ranking in January. Klimpke hopes to be drafted alongside fellow teammates and Calgary natives Zach Olsen and Cooper Williams. "It helps a lot when you've got guys here with you (Olsen, Williams) and kind of go through the experience together," said Klimpke, "We'll be there for each other and there to help out. Round 1 of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft kicks off on Friday, Jun. 26 at KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, NY at 5:00pm MT. Rounds 2-7 start the following day at 9:00am MT.

Blades ink 2010-born goalie Max Hartel to WHL Scholarship Agreement

Steve Horne — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:20:41 +0000

Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades are excited to announce the signing of 2010-born goaltender Max Hartel to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Scholarship and Development Agreement. The Calgary, AB native was drafted by the Blades in the tenth round (221st overall) of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. "Max is a prospect we're very excited about, and he earned this with an exceptional U18 AAA season in Calgary last year," said Blades director of scouting, Dan Tencer, "His ability to read the game is a skill that sets him apart and combined with his technical skill and athleticism, gives him the upside of being an elite goaltender. He is highly driven and focused, and we expect he will continue on the sharp upward trajectory that he's shown over the last two years." Hartel produced one of the best statistical seasons every recorded in the U18 Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL). The 6-foot-1 netminder went 13-6-2 with the Calgary Buffaloes AAA squad. Hartel's .939 save percentage (SV%) was the highest by a 15-year-old netminder in the U18 AEHL since the stat's been tracked in the 1990s. It's also the sixth-highest SV% by any goalie in the league's history during the same time frame. Hartel's 1.94 goals against average (GAA) is the best in AEHL U18 history since the stat's been tracked behind only Garin Bjorklund in 2017-18. Hartel also recorded two shutouts during the regular season, tied for second amongst all AEHL U18 goaltenders. "With Bracken Larocque also at 2010 and Blake Pickens at 2011, we feel very strongly about the young future in our crease," said Tencer. Hartel's stellar play continued into four postseason games with the Buffaloes, going 2-2 with a .919 SV% and 2.74 GAA. Following his U18 campaign, Hartel gained valuable experience on the main roster during the Blades 2026 playoff run to the second round. We’re excited to welcome the Hartel family to the organization and look forward to watching Max continue his development under the guidance of head coach Dan DaSilva and goaltending coach Jeff Harvey.