WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades and Wheat Kings Showcase Top Talent

Published on November 20, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


This Saturday, when the Saskatoon Blades host the Brandon Wheat Kings, 4 of the top 12 ranked 1991 born WHL players will be on the ice including 3 of the top 5.

Earlier this week the Saskatoon Blades had two players on the list of the NHL's Central Scouting Fall Preliminary rankings. Stefan Elliott, a 17 year old defenseman from North Vancouver, BC was ranked 5th in the entire Western Hockey League while Burke Gallimore, a 17 year old forward from Edmonton, AB, was ranked 12th.

For Elliott, the 2008/09 season has been an opportunity to build off a strong rookie campaign that saw his offensive upside turn heads throughout the WHL. Elliott's 40 points (9G; 31A) in 2007/08 are on pace to be easily surpassed this season as he has already picked up a career high 11 goals, to go along with 10 helpers, in just 25 games. His 11 tallies are good for the league lead amongst defenseman while his 21 point total is good for 5th in the WHL.

Gallimore, who was acquired by the Blades in last year's trade deadline deal with the Spokane Chiefs, has rocketed onto the scene as a first year player. After being promoted to the Blades top line with Derek Hulak and Edmonton Oiler draft pick Milan Kytnar, Burke has posted a team best 12 goals thanks in large part to three 2 goal games. Gallimore was also voted by fans as the Northridge Developments player of the month in November using the Subway Poll Question on the homepage of saskatoonblades.com.

Meanwhile, playing for the black and gold of Brandon, forwards Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie were ranked 3rd and 4th respectively in the preliminary rankings and have been leading the top ranked offensive charge for the Wheat Kings this season. For Schenn, the game will be a homecoming as he, along with older brother and Toronto Maple Leafs star blueliner Luke, both hail from the Bridge City. Glennie, born in Winnipeg, MB, has steadily climbed through the WHL rankings after being a 2nd round draft pick of the Wheaties (29th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft.

The game will also be a chance to see two of the top teams in the Eastern Division continue their battle for playoff positioning. The Blades are currently the 10th ranked team in all of Canada while the Wheat Kings, who were the early pick of many to lead the division this season, have the best ranked offense in the East with an average of 3.78 goals for per game.

Tickets to the game can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 938.7800 or by visiting ticketmaster.ca. Hockey fans are reminded that the Blades offer discounts on groups of 10 or more fans that allow savings of up over 30% off walkup.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 20, 2008


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