Saskatoon Blades - Feed

Blades announce 2025-26 team award winners

tchubey — Wed, 20 May 2026 01:12:24 +0000

The Saskatoon Blades held the annual year-end, Season Ticket Holder Barbecue Tuesday, reflecting on a season that left long-lasting memories. The club recognized the efforts of several Blades players from the 2025-26 season, unveiling individual team awards at the event.

Blades select nine players in 2026 WHL Prospects Draft

tchubey — Thu, 07 May 2026 21:51:51 +0000

Edmonton, AB - The Saskatoon Blades welcomed nine players to the organization at the 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft. The Bridge City Bunch selected five forwards, three defencemen, and one goalie through nine rounds. Six players drafted were Canadian and three were American. The week started with a deal between the Blades and Prince George Cougars on Wednesday prior to Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft. Saskatoon acquired the Cougars 2026 first-round pick of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick in the CHL Import Draft. Entering the WHL Prospects Draft, the Bridge City Bunch owned the 18th overall pick, originally belonging to the Cougars. With the Brandon Wheat Kings on the clock at 15th overall, the Blades made a trade to bring the pick into their possession. Saskatoon traded the 18th overall pick and a 2026 third-round selection (67th overall) to the Wheat Kings in exchange for the 15th overall pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick (102nd overall). The Blades selected skilled winger Teagan Dernisky with the selection. https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052200398547767496 “I think when you watch a player like a Brandon Hagel type for the Tampa Bay Lightning right now, a Team Canada player at the last couple major tournaments for them, that’s the right sort of comparable,” said Blades Director of Scouting Dan Tencer. The remainder of the draft took place Thursday. The Blades drafted their first defenceman of the draft in the second round in right-handed shot Hayden Harvey. Selected at 32nd overall, the Edmonton, AB native scored 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in 29 games with the CSSHL's OHA Edmonton U15 Prep program. The 5-foot-11 defenceman scored a goal and five assists in six games at the 2026 John Reid Memorial Tournament. Harvey also represented Team Alberta Grey at Alberta Cup, scoring two assists in five games and tacked on 14 penalty minutes. https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052429658545967253 Saskatoon waited 63 selections before making the next pick. In between picks, the Blades swapped several WHL Prospects Draft selections with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Saskatoon acquired a pair of seventh-round picks in 2026 for a 2028 sixth-round selection and 2029 eighth-round pick. The picks traded to the Bridge City Bunch were the 154th and 160th overall selections. The sixth-round pick acquired by the Hurricanes originally belonged to the Regina Pats. https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052448190927159372 A long wait led to drafting two players within a seven-pick span in the fifth round. At 95th overall, the Blades drafted their first American of the draft in 5-foot-11 forward Mason West. Not long after at 102nd overall, the Blue and Gold welcomed local forward Joshua Koehler from the Saskatoon Stallions of the Saskatchewan AA U15 Hockey League (SAAHLAA). The 5-foot-9 winger tallied 28 goals and 50 assists in 22 games with the Stallions. Koehler played seven games with the Stallions U18 AA squad as an affiliate player (AP) and notched three assists. https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052461465110745201 https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052463354942521815 The Blades used the seventh-round picks acquired earlier in the day to select 6-foot defenceman Jack Arseniuk and American goalie Blake Pickens. Arseniuk scored seven goals and ten assists for 17 points in 29 games with RINK HA Winnipeg U15 Prep of the CSSHL. The Winnipeg, MB native added a pair of goals and assists at the 2026 John Reid Memorial Tournament. Pickens played for Prior Lake Youth Hockey in Minneapolis and was named Goalie of the Year. In ten spring hockey games with the MN Lakers 14U AAA, Pickens has a 4-2-0-0 record with a .924 save percentage (SV%) and 2.57 goals against average (GAA). https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052481538244419606 https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052484760753328615 The Blades drafted 6-foot-1 forward Brayden Lindsay two picks later in the eighth round. The Tumbler Ridge, BC native scored 23 goals and 13 assists for 36 points in 30 games with the CSSHL's Pacific Coast Academy U15 Prep. Lindsay added two goals and one assist in four games for Team White at the BC U16 Cup. https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052487048393904541 The Blades drafted another American in defenceman Rylen Schneider in the eighth round (175th overall). The Edina, MN native potted two goals and 22 assists in 59 games with Shattuck St. Mary's 14U AAA south of the border. https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052491233671672169 The Blades final pick of the draft selected 5-foot-7 forward Carson Brown from the CSSHL's Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep. The left-handed shot scored 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points in 30 games. https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/2052499449860211195

Blades, Hurricanes swap WHL Prospect Draft picks

tchubey — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:33:53 +0000

Edmonton, AB - The Saskatoon Blades have acquired a pair of seventh-round picks in the 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for 2028 sixth-round selection and 2029 eighth-round pick. The picks traded to the Bridge City Bunch are the 154th and 160th overall selections. The sixth-round pick acquired by the Hurricanes originally belonged to the Regina Pats.

‘Like a Brandon Hagel’ | Blades move up to select Dernisky in first round of WHL Prospects Draft

tchubey — Thu, 07 May 2026 03:05:10 +0000

Edmonton, AB - The Saskatoon Blades are proud to announce the selection of skilled winger Teagan Dernisky with the 15th overall pick of the 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft. The selection was made in Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft on Wednesday. Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft took place Wednesday night. Entering the evening, the Bridge City Bunch owned the 18th overall pick in the draft, originally belonging to the Prince George Cougars. With the Brandon Wheat Kings on the clock at 15th overall, the Blades made a trade to bring the pick into their possession. Saskatoon traded the 18th overall pick and a 2026 third-round selection (67th overall) to the Wheat Kings in exchange for the 15th overall pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick (102nd overall). "I think when you watch a player like a Brandon Hagel type for the Tampa Bay Lightning right now, a Team Canada player at the last couple major tournaments for them, that's the right sort of comparable," said Blades Director of Scouting Dan Tencer. Dernisky was selected by Saskatoon 15th overall after leading the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) U15 league in scoring with 43 goals and 55 assists for 98 points in 30 games with Yale Hockey Academy. The Delta, BC native continued his scoring ways in three postseason games with a trio of goals and assists for six points. "Nothing but excitement," said Dernisky on being drafted by the Blades, "I just can't wait to get going with Saskatoon. Nothing but excitement, I'm ready to go." The 5-foot-7 speedster was an animal in tournament play during the 2025-26 season. In six games at the 2026 John Reid Memorial Tournament, the left-handed sniper scored five goals and six assists for 11 points. Dernisky dropped three goals and three assists in four games with Team Red at the 2026 BC U16 Cup. "We're super excited to get Teagan," said Tencer, "Obviously, we traded up to get him and felt very strongly about his potential, and we can't be more excited about his upside with us in the future." Breaking down the pick live on Victory+ TV, the WHL's Brad Ginnell called Dernisky the "rat" of the opening round. While not an endearing compliment to most, Dernisky said it's exacly what he was hoping to hear. "I definitely take that as a compliment. I loved when he said it. It was such a great compliment to me. It's what I've been comparing myself to, like a Brad Marchand or Brandon Hagel. I look up to those guys so much. For him to say that meant a lot to me." The 2026 WHL Draft marked the first time the Bridge City Bunch selected in back-to-back first rounds in consecutive years since 2019 and 2020. Dernisky joins the 2025 15th overall pick Kain Martinuik, the 2022 21st overall pick Isaac Poll, and 5th overall pick Tanner Molendyk in 2020 as the organization's latest first round picks. The remaining rounds of the WHL Prospects Draft take place Thursday, May 7 at 10:00am CT. Saskatoon's next selection is in the second round at 32nd overall. Fans can follow along in real time online HERE.

Blades, Cougars swap first-round import draft picks

tchubey — Wed, 06 May 2026 20:55:14 +0000

Edmonton, AB - The Saskatoon Blades have struck a deal ahead of the 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft. The Bridge City Bunch have acquired the Prince George Cougar's first round selection in the 2026 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft in exchange for a first round pick in the 2027 CHL Import Draft. Held annually in the first week of July, the final order and date for this summer's CHL Import Draft is yet to be finalized. The 2026 WHL Prospects Draft gets underway at 6:00pm CST tonight. Round 1 coverage begins at 5:30pm CST for FREE on Victory+ TV, hosted by the WHL's Cami Kepke and Brad Ginnell. The remaining rounds of the draft take place Thursday, May 7 at 10:00am CST. Fans can follow round 2 and onwards in real time online HERE.

Voting open for 2025-26 Fan Choice Award

tchubey — Tue, 05 May 2026 16:26:27 +0000

The 2025-26 season featured plenty of memorable moments, and it’s time to honour the players who wore the Saskatoon Blades logo through this year’s incredible run. The Blades Team Awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 19 at the annual Season Ticket Holder BBQ. Make your voice heard and vote for your favourite Saskatoon Blade from the latest campaign. The Fan’s Choice Award is chosen completely by you. Whether it be your favourite goal-scorer, hardest hitter, or community ambassador, the decision is yours! Click here to cast your vote!

Calling all season ticket holders to RSVP for our year-end BBQ

tchubey — Fri, 01 May 2026 21:00:06 +0000

It was another amazing year for the Saskatoon Blades and none of it would've been possible without you, Season Ticket Holders!

We want to see you one more time to wrap up the 2025-26 Western Hockey League (WHL) season. All season ticket holders are invited to the Season Ticket Holder BBQ for a night to connect with fellow fans, enjoy great food, and hear from the team members of the team.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, May 19 Doors Open: 5:00pm Supper Served: 5:30pm Hotstove Session: Approximately 6:00pm Hotstove Guests: Associate General Manager Steve Hildebrand, and Head Coach Dan DaSilva

This event is open to all Saskatoon Blades Season Ticket Holders. Please be sure to RSVP before Wednesday, May 13th by contacting your ticket representative.

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating another exciting season together.

Go Blades Go!

2026 WHL Prospects Draft Preview

tchubey — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:39:41 +0000

The 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft is set to take place from Wednesday, May 6 - Thursday, May 7. Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft will be streamed live for FREE on Victory+ TV on Wednesday, May 6. Fans can track the remaining rounds online in real time the following day. WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR? The Saskatoon Blades drafted 11 players at last year's draft. It was a busy start for the Blue and Gold's management, striking a pair of deals with the Penticton Vees to acquire the 24th overall pick of the draft. Saskatoon also traded for the 15th overall pick from the Swift Current Broncos while Speedy Creek was on the clock, trading in exchange the 22nd overall pick, the 73rd overall pick, and the 93rd overall pick. With the organization's first first round pick since the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, the Blades drafted 5-foot-11 forward Kain Martinuik. Saskatoon drafted five forwards, four defenceman, and two netminders by the end of the 2025 WHL Draft. For a full look at last year's results, click HERE LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026 WHL Prospects Draft The Blades enter the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft with the 18th overall pick courtesy of the Prince George Cougars. The entire selection breakdown for the Blades is as follows: Round 1 Pick 18 (originally PG)

Round 2 Pick 32 (originally VIC) Round 3 Pick TBD (originally MH) Round 5 Pick 95 (originally VAN) Round 8 Pick 162 (originally LET) Pick 175 (SAS)

Round 9 Pick 198 (SAS) Pick 202 (originally PG) Round 10 Pick 221 (SAS) Pick 225 (originally POR) There is no WHL U.S. Priority Draft for the first time since 2019. The WHL U.S. Priority Draft was introduced in 2020 as a two-round draft for bantam-aged players residing in 20 U.S. states and territories to be selected by WHL clubs. Those selections will now merge into the WHL Prospects Draft starting with this spring. For complete coverage of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft and the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, click HERE.

Olsen named to Team Canada’s U18 Men’s World Championship roster

tchubey — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:12:53 +0000

Saskatoon, SK - The Saskatoon Blades are proud to announce forward Zach Olsen has been selected to represent Team Canada at the upcoming IIHF U18 Men's World Hockey Championship. Hockey Canada announced the full 25-man roster on Tuesday.

https://twitter.com/HockeyCanada/status/2046638895513657463

Olsen’s selection to Team Canada comes after a impressive sophomore Western Hockey League (WHL) campaign with the Blades. The NHL Draft-eligible winger set new career highs in goals (18), assists (16), and points (34) in 57 games. Applauded for his tenacity and rugged play, Olsen shined in his second WHL postseason with two goals and four assists in ten games. Five of Olsen's points came in Round 1 against the Edmonton Oil Kings, helping the Blades down the third-seeded Oil Kings in Game 7 overtime to advance to Round 2 against the Prince Albert Raiders.

The IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship brings together the world’s top under-18 players and serves as a key showcase for future hockey stars. The tournament kicks off on April 22 in Bratislava and Trenčín, Slovakia, with Canada taking on Slovakia, Latvia, Norway and Finland in the preliminary round. The tournament concludes with the medal games on May 2. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 16 tournament games, including all Team Canada preliminary-round games, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal games.

Olsen, Wiliams, and Klimpke named in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings

tchubey — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:46:00 +0000

Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades trio of Zach Olsen, Cooper Williams, and Brayden Klimpke have been named to NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings. Olsen jumped to 36th overall amongst North American skaters for the upcoming draft. Previously ranked 43rd at the midway point of the season, the Calgary, AB native scored 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points in 57 games for the Blue and Gold, all career highs. The Western Hockey League (WHL) sophomore amped up his play in the playoffs with two goals and four assists for six points in ten games. Olsen also tacked on 18 penalty minutes in the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. Williams ranked 50th amongst North American skaters. The 2024-25 WHL Rookie of the Year finalist finished second in team scoring after his second season with 57 points (23G, 34A). The 6-foot-1 centre scored arguably two of the biggest goals for the Blades in the postseason. Williams tied Game 6 in Round 1 against the Edmonton Oil Kings with seven seconds left to force double overtime at SaskTel Centre. Despite the Blades losing Game 6, Williams 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. Klimpke also jumped up in the final rankings moving from 79 to 74 amongst North American skaters. The 2007-born defender led the backend in scoring during the regular season with four goals and 43 assists for 47 points in all 68 games. The late 2007-born defender served as an alternate captain for the Blades in his second season with the team and led them to a second round appearance in the postseason. In 11 playoff games, Klimpke scored one goal and four assists for five points. The 6-foot-1 defender was regularly tasked with defending each team's top forward lines and eating a large chunk of minutes all throughout the year.

For NHL Central Scouting’s full midterm rankings, click HERE