Blades land Siepmann in big swap with Hitmen

The Saskatoon Blades got a big boost on the blueline Monday morning, acquiring 19-year-old defenceman Grayden Siepmann from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for 17-year-old defenceman Fraser Leonard, a second-round pick (Spokane) in 2024, a sixth-round pick in 2026 and a second-round pick in 2027.

“Grayden is a player we’ve coveted since the Prospects Draft,” said Colin Priestner, General Manager of the Blades. “An established, top-four, right-shot defenceman like him was at the top of our list in terms of targets this year, so he’s a really important addition to our Club.

“We’ve built up excess draft picks with moves we had to make this summer, so to get a top-end 19-year-old player like Grayden without using a first-rounder was a big win for us now and down the road towards the deadline when those picks are even more valuable.”

Siepmann, a product of Abbotsford, B.C., attended training camp with the NHL’s Boston Bruins this fall.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound rearguard has was originally a first-round pick (13th overall) of the Hitmen in the 2019 WHL Draft. In 151 career WHL Regular Season games, Siepmann has collected 70 points (18G-52A).

He enjoyed a career season in 2022-23, recording 43 points (9G-34A) in 61 games.

Leonard in his rookie season in the WHL, having skated in three games with the Blades. A product of Calgary, Alta., the 6-foot-2, 187-pound defenceman was originally selected by the Blades in the fourth-round (68th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

“This transaction adds to our depth chart in the 2006-born group,” said Garry Davidson, Director of Hockey Operations. “Fraser is a quality 2006 right-shot defenceman, a piece that is missing within our current roster and listed group.

“We’ve also acquired three picks that we believe will benefit us in the retooling of our program.”

Siepmann is expected to make his Blades debut Wednesday, October 11 when Saskatoon visits the Edmonton Oil Kings.