Blades Draft 2007-Born Forward Dustin Willhöft in 2025 CHL Import Draf
July 2, 2025 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
Saskatoon, SK - The Saskatoon Blades drafted German forward Dustin Willhöft in the first round (40th overall) of Wednesday's 2025 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft.
The selection filled the club's third and final import roster spot ahead of the 2025-26 Western Hockey League (WHL) season. Willhöft joins 20-year-old forward Dominik Petr and 2025 Edmonton Oilers draft pick David Lewandowski as import players under the 50-man roster.
"Dustin had an outstanding U18 for Germany alongside Lewandowski," said Blades general manager and president, Colin Priestner, "High speed, creative offensive player who is not the biggest guy but has a huge motor. Every NHL scout we spoke to about him raved about him and felt if not for his height he would have been a fairly high NHL pick"
The 2007-born winger dominated the Deutsche Nachwuchs Liga (DNL) U20 league last season, scoring 33 goals and 58 assists for 91 points in 35 games with Jungadler Mannheim U20. Willhöft added five goals and eight assists in eight playoff games as well.
The 5-foot-8 forward represented Germany on several occasions throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Willhöft played alongside Lewandowski at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, scoring one goal and two assists in four games. The Kohtla-Järve, EST native skated at the U18 World Junior Championships (WJC-18)with Germany, scoring three goals and two assists in five games. A year prior at the WJC-18 D1A tournament, Willhöft captured gold with Germany after recording two goals and six assists in five games.
"Dustin is close friends with David, and David spoke highly about him throughout the season," said Priestner, "We're excited to have another high skilled German player in our lineup."
Willhöft is committed to the NCAA's Boston College Eagles for the fall of 2027, giving him at least two seasons in the WHL.
The Blades want to welcome Dustin and his family to the organization and city of Saskatoon. We look forward to watching him continue his development in the WHL.
Western Hockey League Stories from July 2, 2025
- Broncos Add Two in CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Broncos Name DeSilva 11th Head Coach in Franchise History - Swift Current Broncos
- 142 Players Selected During the 2025 CHL Import Draft - WHL
- Chiefs Select German Goaltender, Forward in 2025 CHL Import Draft Wednesday - Spokane Chiefs
- Five Rockets Prospects Named to USA National Development Camps - Kelowna Rockets
- Six Hurricanes Attending NHL Development Camps - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Giants Select Czech Shutdown Defender Skok in CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Tigers Sign Kor to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Royals Select Three Players in 2025 CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
- Hitmen Select Three at CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- WHL Clubs Select 50 Players from 13 Nations in 2025 CHL Import Draft - WHL
- Rockets 2025 CHL Import Draft Recap - Kelowna Rockets
- Warriors Add Trefny, Eriksen at CHL Import Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Portland Selects Eric Nilson in 2025 CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Select Dmitri Yakutsenak and Alexander Levshyn in 2025 CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Rebels select two at 2025 CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- T-Birds Make 2 Selections in CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hurricanes Select Trio in CHL Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Pats Select Pradel, Ubl and Schams in 2025 CHL Import Draft - Regina Pats
- Wenatchee Wild Select Three in Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Wednesday - Wenatchee Wild
- Blazers Select Two Players in 2025 CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
- Blades Add Tye Scherger as Assistant Coach - Saskatoon Blades
- Silvertips Pick up Vanhanen, Seidl in 2025 CHL Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Americans Add One Defenseman, Two Forwards In 2025 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Eight Oil Kings at NHL Development Camps - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blades Draft 2007-Born Forward Dustin Willhöft in 2025 CHL Import Draf - Saskatoon Blades
- Angel of the Winds Arena to Host NHL Prospects Game with Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks - Everett Silvertips
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Saskatoon Blades Stories
- Blades Add Tye Scherger as Assistant Coach
- Blades Draft 2007-Born Forward Dustin Willhöft in 2025 CHL Import Draf
- Lewandowski Drafted by Edmonton Oilers at 2025 NHL Entry Draft
- Blades Ink their Second Pick of 2025 WHL Prospects Draft Noah Fowler
- Blades Unveil Schedule for 2025-26 Regular Season
