WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Set to Retire All-Time Franchise Point Leader Frank Banham's Number 39

February 1, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon, SK - No Saskatoon Blade will ever wear number 39 again after Saturday, March 9th, 2024.

The franchise's all-time leading scorer Frank Banham will have his number immortalized from the rafters at SaskTel Centre where he created memories that live with fans to this day.

"Frank is not only one of the best players that's ever played for the Saskatoon Blades, but one of the most dominant forwards the league has ever seen," said Blades general manager and president Colin Priestner. "We felt Frank's jersey retirement was long overdue as he holds several franchise records and his 83 goals in the 1995-96 season is the ninth most ever scored in a single year by a WHL player."

Born in Calahoo, AB, the former forward played all 278 career WHL games in the Bridge City across four seasons between the 1992-93 and 1995-96 campaign. The 48-year-old scored 190 goals and 370 points in the WHL, both the highest in franchise history. In his final season in 1995-96, Banham broke the franchise record for the most goals in a season, lighting the lamp 83 times for a record that holds up to this day.

The skilled sniper enjoyed tons of playoff success in the bridge jersey era. Banham helped lead the Blades to the WHL Final in 1994 with eight goals and 19 points in 16 game, before falling to the Kamloops Blazers in Game 7. Making the playoffs every year as a Blade, Banham collected 18 goals and 42 points in 37 postseason matchups.

After being drafted 147th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Banham suited up in 32 NHL games, mainly with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The fan-favourite scored nine goals and 11 points in 27 games with the California squad, before suiting up in five more games with the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2002-03 season. In 2001, Banham represented Team Canada at the Spengler Cup that went all the way to the final, finishing the tournament with four goals in five games.

"Frank embodied every aspect of what it means to be a Saskatoon Blades, and that tone carried to teams that have come after him decades later," said Priestner, "He was a huge part of the Blades' identity throughout the mid-90s and is beloved by fans in our city. We're very excited to honour his legacy and what he's done for our organization."

Banham's pro career took him all around the world and lasted until the end of the 2015-16 season where he finished with Fehervar AV19 "C" of the International Central European (ICE) Hockey League (formerly known as the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga or "EBEL"), which serves as the top tier league in Austria.

The former Blade will be joined by teammates from his time in Saskatoon, family, and friends. Come celebrate the legendary career on Frank Banham on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 when the Blue and Gold welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings!

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