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Saskatoon Blades

Preview: Raiders at Blades - September 25th - Season Opener

September 25, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


SASKATOON - The day we have all been waiting for since the end of last season is finally here! The Blades kick off their 2015-2016 WHL season at home against the Prince Albert Raiders.

"Everyone's excited, day's finally arrived, a lot of preparation for this weekend. I think we're ready and there's lots of excitement in and out of the dressing room. It's gonna be a fun game." said Blades defenceman Brycen Martin who came back from the Buffalo Sabres training camp on Wednesday.

The Blades enter into tonight's action as one of the hottest teams in the WHL. After losing their first preseason game in overtime to the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Blades reeled off our straight wins both in home-and-home sets with the Prince Albert Raiders and Swift Current Broncos. The players know however, they can't look too much into their preseason success.

"We know that the regular season is different but we know that we can win now." said Josh Paterson.

Another major bright spot for the Blades was they play of there year centre Cameron Hebig and 20-year old Connor Gay. The duo led the WHL in preseason scoring with Hebig amassing an impressive 12 points in four games while Gay finished second with 1 goal and 8 assists in his three contests. They will start on the top line along side winger Ryan Graham who has recently returned from Minnesota Wild Camp.

After a disappointing 2013-2014 campaign, the boys in blue seem to be poised for a breakout year, finally emerging from the two year rebuild. With fresh, young faces in the lineup, the Blades are eager to back in the saddle and get back to their former glory. This young talent includes the likes of Cameron Hausinger, the first ever american drafted and signed player by the Blades, Jake Kustra, a local defenceman who brings grit and physicality, even for a player of his age, and Lukus MacKenzie, the 6'1, 196lb 16-year old from Calgary. The Blades are younger, faster, stronger, and better and are ready to show off what they've got.

Looking at the matchup on the ice, the Blades and Raiders are fierce, bitter rivals, combining for extremely entertaining match ups every time they face off. The teams split last season each earning four wins. It's sure to be another exciting matchup as the Blades kick off their WHL season in style!

2015 PRE-SEASON LEADING SCORERS:

Cameron Hebig: 4GP-7G-5A-12PTS

Connor Gay: 3GP-1G-9A-9PTS

Nick Zajac: 4GP: 3G-5A-8PTS

2015 PRE-SEASON SPECIAL TEAMS:

PP: 38.9% (1st); PK: 83.3% (8th)

2014-15 LEADING SCORERS:

Brett Stovin: 72GP-29G-21A-50PTS

Sam McKechnie: 67GP-22G-20A-42PTS

Cameron Hebig: 72GP-18G-22A-40PTS

2014-15 SPECIAL TEAMS:

PP: 21.7% (9th); PK: 75.3% (21st)

GAME NOTES:

OFF THE TOP: The Blades enter tonight's action as one of the hottest teams in the WHL, reeling off four straight wins after an OT loss in their opener, the Blades having nothing but confidence headed into tonight. Last season against the Prince Albert Raiders, the teams split the season series evenly, each taking four regulation wins. In the 2015 preseason, Saskatoon swept the home-and-home, beating PA by a combined score of 14-9 (6-3 & 8-6).

LAST GAME (PRE-SEASON #2) - SEPT. 12, 2014: Cameron Hebig, Connor Gay, and Nick Zajac combined for 15 points in a come from behind 8-6 win in Warman. The Blades powerplay was clicking as they went 3 for 4.

ROOKIE REVOLUTION: The Blades currently have 8 rookies on their roster (Cameron Hausinger, Josh Paterson, Lukus MacKenzie, Logan Christensen, Jake Kustra, Anthony Bishop, Brayden Uhrich, and Libor Hajek).

RED HOT: Cameron Hebig comes into tonight's game on a tear after leading the preseason scoring by a wide margin with 12 points (7G, 5A) in 4 games. 20-year old Connor Gay follows right behind with 9 points (1G, 8A) in 3 games. The dynamic duo enjoyed success alongside Nick Zajac, however, four year veteran Ryan Graham will play on the other wing tonight.

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: The Blades introduced Nick Zajac as the 56th captain in team history yesterday afternoon. The 20-year old from Headingley, MB has spent his entire career with the Saskatoon Blades, playing in 250 games and amassing 100 points (35G, 65A). Saskatoon will also go with 6 alternate captains. Mitch Wheaton, Connor Gay, and Ryan Graham will wear the As at home while Brycen Martin, Josh Uhrich, and Cameron Hebig will sport the A on the road.

HOME COOKIN': The Bridge City Bunch has been stocking up on local talent over the last few years and on the current roster it shows eight players from Saskatchewan and four from Saskatoon. What is even more impressive is these are impact players. 2/3 of the top line (Hebig, Gay) and 2nd line centre Sloboshan are from Saskatoon, while both goaltenders hail from Saskatchewan, Brock Hamm from Saskatoon, Nik Amundrud from Melfort. Along with Josh Uhrich, Nolan Reid, Jake Kustra, the Blades are certainly proud of their local talent.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS: On Wednesday, the team released 20-year old defenceman Isaac Schacher. Schacher was one of four over-agers vying for the three spots. Schael Higson was suspended one game after a kneeing major in the last preseason game against Swift Current.

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