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WHL Saskatoon Blades

By the Numbers: First-Half Evaluation

January 25, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The 2021-22 Western Hockey League season has been filled with challenges, but the Saskatoon Blades have found a way to chisel out a strong first half and position themselves in a good position for a deep playoff run.

After the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a shortened "hub" season with no playoffs last year, the league is setting its sights on returning to the spring fling, and head coach Brennan Sonne and company are likely to be on the guest list.

Let's take a gander at some of the numbers that are shaping a special season in Saskatchewan's largest city.

1 - Kyle Crnkovic's rank in league scoring

The organization hit the nail on the head when they drafted current alternate captain Kyle Crnkovic number ten in the 2017 WHL Draft. Almost five years later, the five-foot-seven forward is the top scorer in the WHL. In 37 games, the Chestermere, AB product has a team-high 23 goals, and 57 points, two more than second-place Matthew Savoie of the Winnipeg ICE. The career Blade has maintained a point-per-game pace the past three seasons, and could catch eyes for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft this summer.

2 - The round Tristen Robins was drafted in the NHL

The Blades fellow alternate captain may have been selected in the second-round of the NHL Entry Draft, but his play since has possibly made teams regret not picking him earlier. The Clear Lake, MB native was drafted 56th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2020 draft - a pick they acquired from the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenceman Brenden Dillon at the NHL Trade Deadline.

The Sharks have got to love what they have seen since making the pick. The smart and speedy forward has used his immense skill set to rank third in league scoring, with 52 points in 35 games. In his last six games, the right-handed shot has torched teams with 18 points. The future Blades alumni is in his final WHL season, and is making a great argument he's ready to begin his career as a standout professional.

4 - The Blades position in the Eastern Conference

Saskatoon is currently in a dogfight for second place in the East Division. The Blades are tied with the Moose Jaw Warriors with 44 points, positioning them in a tie for fourth in the Eastern Conference and eighth overall. However, the Blades do have a four-point lead on the fourth-place Brandon Wheat Kings. Also, the Blue and Gold have three games in hand against the Warriors, leaving destiny in their hands as to whether they'll grab sole possession of that second spot.

4 - Current win streak

The New Year didn't start off how the Blades wanted it, losing 4-1 at home against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Since the loss though, the Blades have been out of this world, winning four straight games. The first two came from a home-and-home series against the Swift Current Broncos on January 14th and 15th. The first game saw forward Tristen Robins pot a hat-trick in his return to the lineup, helping his team secure a 6-4 victory at Innovation Credit Union Iplex in Swift Current. At Sasktel Centre the following night, Vaughn Watterodt's first career goal and Nolan Maier's 28 saves secured a 4-1 victory for the Blades.

Next was a dominant display against the Medicine Hat Tigers at home, with four different forwards scoring a pair of goals, winning 9-2. The fourth game the Blades didn't stop the goals coming, beating the top of the CHL's Winnipeg ICE 7-2 at SaskTel Centre as well. Their longest win streak of the year has been five, and the Blades will have a chance to tie it when they welcome Brandon to SaskTel Centre on January 28th.

7 - Number of players with double-digit goals on the team

Some teams struggle with only getting goals from a select few individuals. This isn't the case for the Blades this year. Alternate captains Tristen Robins, and Kyle Crnkovic, along with fellow forward Brandon Lisowsky all have 20-plus goals. Forward Jayden Wiens has a career-high 12 goals on the season, while Belarusian-rookie Egor Sidorov has tucked 10 with his already deadly shot.

Blades recent acquisitions Noah Boyko has 13 ticks in the goals column, while Warman, SK's own Josh Pillar has 11. Pillar, a Minnesota Wild prospect, was acquired via trade at this season's trade deadline from the Kamloops Blazers. The skilled and creative forward is performing at over a point-per-game as well this season.

13 - Amount of wins Maier needs to break WHL record

Starting goalie Nolan Maier has solidified himself as one of the Blades' top goalies in franchise history. Selected by the Blades in the second round the same year as Crnkovic, Maier has been the teams starter for the last five seasons. A career .904 save percentage thus far, Maier has amused 108 total career wins along with it, placing him in a tie for 9th all-time with current Flyers netminder Martin Jones. The WHL wins record is 120, shared by Tyson Sexmith and Corey Hirsch, meaning the Yorkton, SK product only needs 13 more scratches in the "W" column to be along at the top.

27.6 - Powerplay percentage this season

With all the offensive talent on the Blades roster, it's no surprise their powerplay has been one of the most lethal in the entire Western Hockey League. Sitting at 27.6 percent - second only to only Winnipeg - fan-favourite Tristen Robins helps lead the way with a team-high ten powerplay goals. Jayden Wiens is second with seven, while Kyle Crnkovic is third with six. The Blades have notched at least one goal with the extra man in seven straight games.

99 - Career games for defenceman Charlie Wright

Career Blade Charlie Wright has immersed himself into one of the most consistent and reliable defenders in the WHL. About halfway through his third campaign, the 6-foot-1 blueliner has a career-high 12 points in 35 games. The stifling left-shot defender's next game will be his 100th in the WHL, which is scheduled for this Friday vs. the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Olds, AB also recently ranked 140th in the NHL's midterm prospect rankings.

235 - Career games for Rhett Rhinehart

Former first-rounder of the Prince Albert Raiders Rhett Rhinehart had an eventful journey to find a home just down the road. The 6-foot-4 blueliner has logged minutes for three different clubs, two games with the Raiders, before competing in Prince George for parts of three campaigns as a Cougar. At the 2020 trade deadline, the Cougars shipped the Lloydminister, AB force back to Saskatchewan, where he has laced up for the Blades ever since.

With one of the most consistent and reliable goalies in Nolan Maier between the pipes, a sturdy and burly defensive core, and contributions up front from all forwards, this team is priming up for a deep playoff run.

Bringing in skilled pieces such as forwards Josh Pillar, Kyren Gronick and Noah Boyko, and rock-solid blueliners such as Ryan Nolan, only solidifies those beliefs. The Blades are in the thick of it right now for second place in the East Division, and will need to continue their recent success in order to get home-ice advantage in the postseason.

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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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