The Saskatoon Blades would like to recognize the accomplishments of alumni in the professional hockey coaching world.Ten individuals that either played with or coached the Saskatoon Blades were in the North American professional coaching ranks during the 2008-09 season. Among these, two were National Hockey League head coaches and two were National Hockey League assistant coaches.
A Blades defenseman during the 1980-81 season, Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock guided his team to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight season, finishing as runner-up to the Pittsburgh Penguins after beating the same Penguins team a year ago. The Red Wings won the Central Division regular season pennant, finishing second in the Western Conference standings. One of the assistant coaches on the Red Wings staff was former Blades Head Coach Brad McCrimmon (1998-00).
The President's Trophy winners, the San Jose Sharks, were led by Head Coach Todd McLellan, a Blades forward for four seasons (1983-1987). Trent Yawney (Defenseman 1981-1985), an assistant coach on the Sharks staff, was a teammate of McLellan's during his time with the Blades. The Sharks were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks.
Lane Lambert (Forward 1981-1983), head coach of the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, led the team to the West Division regular season pennant, before bowing out in the playoffs to the Houston Aeros in the West Division Final.
Jason Christie (Forward 1986-1990) was an assistant coach with the AHL's Chicago Wolves during 2008-09 season. The Wolves finished sixth in the West Division and missed the playoffs.
Jared Bednar (Defenseman 1990-91), head coach of the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, guided the team to a Kelly Cup Championship, beating the Alaska Aces in the finals. The Stingrays finished the regular season in second place in the South Division.
Glen Gulutzan (Forward 1991-92), head of the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers, took the team to the National Conference Finals, losing out to the Alaska Aces. The Wranglers ended the regular season in second place in the Pacific Division.
Kevin Kaminski (Forward 1984-89) won the CHL Coach of the Year after leading the Mississippi RiverKings to the Northeast Division title. The RiverKings lost out in the semi-finals of the Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs to the Colorado Eagles.
Finally, Terry Ruskowski, who served as head coach of the Blades for two seasons (1989-91), finished up his sixth season as head coach of the CHL's Laredo Bucks. The Bucks ended the regular season in second place in the Southeast Division, before losing out in the quarter finals of the playoffs to the Odessa Jackalopes.
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