WHL ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: BRADEN HOLTBY
Braden Holtby spent three seasons playing in the Western Hockey League, manning the crease for the Saskatoon Blades. Now, the Marshall, SK, product is tending the net for the NHL’s Washington Capitals and staring down shooters such as Steven Stamkos, Rick Nash and Sidney Crosby.
The Blades’ ninth-round pick, 161st overall, in the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft, Holtby played 177 career regular-season contests for the Blades, posting 82 wins and seven shutouts. In his final season with the Blades in 2008-09, Holtby won 40 games and was named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star team as he helped the team to an East Division title.
Drafted by the Washington Capitals in the fourth round, 93rd overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft, Holtby spent a year playing for the Hershey Bears of the AHL before making his NHL debut in 2010-11. In 2011-12, Holtby took the spotlight with his excellent performance for the capitals during the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The 6’2”, 203-lb netminder became the Caps’ starter for the 2012-13 season, appearing in 36 games for the Capitals and finished fourth among NHL goaltenders with 23 victories.
Though he may be four years removed from his time in the WHL with the Blades, Holtby still looks back fondly on his WHL career.
WHL.ca caught up with Holtby at the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament in Saskatoon.
CATCHING UP WITH…BRADEN HOLTBY
On being back in Saskatoon for the Blades’ Memorial Cup…
“It’s been pretty special. I haven’t been back in a few years, so being back in this building and watching the team is really nice. It’s good to see people I knew when I was here and be in the atmosphere here.”
On his memories from his time with the Blades…
“Well, my first two years here weren’t too successful on the ice, but there are the moments like your first game, which is pretty special. Most of the memories are about being on the road, spending time with all the guys and being in the locker room. In junior hockey, the camaraderie is so special and the bonding with your team mates is unlike any other level of hockey. Those are the memories that last for me.”
On how the WHL helped him get to where he is today…
“It was so huge. I was lucky to get to play here in Saskatoon and have a guy like Lorne (Molleken) who was so patient with me. He always gave me opportunities, and he’d play me all the time even though sometimes I may not have deserved it. He knew it would benefit me in the long run, and give me the knowledge that I could move forward with and take me in the right direction. I think obviously there are options out there, as far as a development path to follow. But, for players who really want to get to the NHL, I don’t think there is a better path than the Western Hockey League. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything in the world, that’s for sure.”
On catching up with some of his former team mates…
“I talk to guys like Derek Hulak, Adam Morrison and Josh Nicholls, and it’s always good to catch up with the guys you grew up with here. The one bad thing about moving on from junior hockey is you do lose contact with people. But, it’s good to be at an event like (the MasterCard Memorial Cup) and see some of the people you haven’t seen in a while.”
On life in the NHL with the Capitals…
“It’s been good. The first couple of years has been a bit crazy with the call-ups and whatnot. We have a great team and a great group of guys there, and we think we have a team that can compete for a Stanley Cup. Obviously, our playoffs this year didn’t go how we wanted. It has been a lot of fun. A dream come true.”
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