Blades sign American-born forward Gavin Clark to WHL Standard Player Contract

Saskatoon, Sask. – The Saskatoon Blades are happy to announce the signing of 2008-born American forward Gavin Clark to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Standard Player Agreement.

“Gavin is another American player we’re really excited about,” said Blades director of scouting, Dan Tencer, “He was up here around the team a bit last week and it felt like a very natural long-term fit to solidify an already strong 2008-born group of players and prospects.”

The 16-year-old from Newport Beach, CA has 11 goals, 19 assists, and 30 points in 26 games this season with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U AAA squad south of the border. Clark averaged over a point-per-game in 2023-24 with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U AAA team, scoring 36 goals and 40 assists in 59 games.

“He’s a player with tremendous size who brings a relentless physical competitiveness to the ice,” said Tencer, “He sees the game very well and makes positive possession and offensive plays in all zones. With a demonstrated history of scoring at all levels and exceptional feedback from his current and past coaches, we’re really excited about the future with him.”

The 6-foot-2 forward committed to the NCAA’s Merrimack College in August. The NCAA Division I Council voted November 7 that players who have skated in one of the three Canadian Hockey Leagues (CHL) — the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the WHL — will be permitted to play NCAA hockey effective Aug. 1, 2025. Previously, CHL players had been considered professionals and barred because of the NCAA’s amateurism rules, in part because some CHL players have signed NHL entry-level contracts.

The Blades are excited to welcome the Clark family to Blade City and look forward to working with Gavin as he continues his hockey journey.