WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Ink 2008-Born Prospects Olsen, Williams, and Budd, Complete "Calgary Connection"

Published on June 8, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon, SK - The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the signings of 2008-born forwards Zachery Olsen and Cooper Williams, alongside 2008-born goalie Ryley Budd to Western Hockey League (WHL) Scholarship and Development Agreements.

All three Calgary, AB products were drafted by the organization during the second-round of the 2023 WHL Prospect Draft in early May.

"We're very excited to be signing three high-quality kids today," said Blades general manager Colin Priestner, "They will be a big part of our continued pipeline of home grown prospects that will keep us competitive every year. It's a great feeling to know we have such high-end young men coming up every year. Even as we compete for league championships, we can keep our commitment to our fans to build through the draft."

Olsen was selected 29th overall after putting up 34 points (13G, 21A) in 30 games with Edge School U15 Prep in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). The Calgary, AB product also tacked on 68 penalty minutes.

"I've heard great things about the organization, so seeing them choose me and signing me, I'm super excited," said Olsen.

The 6-foot, right-handed shot added four points (2G, 2A) in as many playoff games, and had a solid showing in five games at the 2023 Alberta Cup on Team Alberta Green with three points (1G, 2A).

"Zach has an impressive poise and maturity about him on and off the ice," said Blades director of scouting Dan Tencer," On the ice he plays with power, pace and a consistent impact in all three zones that you can count on every shift, especially in big games. Off the ice, he brings a positive energy and desire to work that is infectious. This is oversimplified but I can't think of a better way to state it; he's just a winner. His trajectory is exciting, he's been a player for two years now that has been better with each subsequent viewing and we're very confident in the impact he's going to have at the WHL level and beyond."

Williams was drafted down the line at 41, averaging nearly a goal-per-game this season with the Calgary Bisons U15 AAA squad in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL). The 5-foot-11 sniper finished with 32 goals and 69 points in 33 games, adding 20 penalty minutes to his name.

"It's a great organization," said Williams, "Coming here to play, I want to win, and this is a place to do that."

Williams came through when it mattered most notching seven goals and 21 points in nine playoff games, registering two assists in five outings alongside Olsen with Team Alberta Green.

"Cooper has dynamic skill, soft hands and high-end offensive creativity," said Tencer, "He's a guy that you can count on to make everyone around him better. He's one of those guys that you know will bring that down the line in a WHL uniform because he competes with everything he has and isn't afraid of pressure or big moments. His year-over-year progression was amongst the most substantial of any draft-eligible prospect this season."

Immediately after drafting Williams the Blades picked Budd with the 42nd overall selection to complete the "Calgary Connection". The 5-foot-11 goalie earned a 8-10-0 record with the Calgary Northstars U15 AAA team of the AEHL, boasting a .916 save-percentage and 3.34 goals-against-average (GAA), with two shutouts under his belt. The left-handed glove stole the show at Alberta Cup for Team Alberta Red going 1-2-0 while holding a .941 save-percentage and a 2.33 GAA.

"It's super special," said Budd, "Ever since draft day I've been super excited about the Blades. I've been trying to learn as much as I can about the city and the team and now that I get to officially be a part of it is super exciting."

"We were having internal conversations about Ryley being our target at the goaltending position going back to early November and every step of the way throughout the year he continued to impress us," said Tencer, "Our goaltending coach Jeff Harvey is a big part of that, and Ryley's name came up from him in every scouting conversation all season. He's an explosive skater, a tremendous athlete and competes immensely for pucks and second chance saves. He's also one of the most positive and mature young prospects that we've ever interacted with. We're big believers in the entire package."

The Blades would like to welcome the Olsen, Williams, and Budd families to the organization and community, and look forward to helping all three individuals achieve their goals under the guidance of Brennan Sonne's coaching staff.

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 8, 2023


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.

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