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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Crowded Crease; Three Net-Minders Guarding the Blades Pipes this Season

March 9, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


We're just days from dropping the puck on what's sure to be a historic season for the Saskatoon Blades, and the coaching staff is doing all it can to make sure the players are ready for the challenge ahead.

24 games may not seem like a long season, but this marathon-turned-sprint campaign becomes all the more real when you consider it's compressed into 46 days. That's not to mention the players and staff are crammed into a bubble environment, with all games taking place at the Brandt Centre in Regina.

Mathematically, that's one game every 1.92 days - which means the Blades have more matches than off-days, and therefore rest and recovery will be extremely important and in short supply.

Of the 26 players rostered inside the bubble, three of which are goaltenders. Each will surely get their share of the crease over the next seven weeks, considering the Blades have five instances with games on back-to-back nights.

Let's dive into each of the three netminders guarding the pipes for the Saskatoon Blades this season.

#73 - Nolan Maier

One of the most well-known goaltenders throughout the entire WHL, Nolan Maier has built a solid reputation for himself over his career as a Blade. The Yorkton, SK product will surely be relied upon, having four seasons and 139 games under his belt as a 19-year-old. Maier brings a consistent mix of experience and intelligence to the ice, along with a proven winning-formula having a 79-46-8-4 career record.

"Honestly, we're just going in to be competitive," said Maier when asked about what it's like practicing with two other goaltenders. "Everyone in this organization around this team wants to win, so I think whoever's going to be playing the best and give our team the best chance to win is going to be the guy that's going to (start)."

Maier is also approaching history, with just seven more wins required to set a new franchise record. Tim Cheveldae is the current record holder with 85 victories spanning from the mid-to-late 1980's.

"It's exciting," added Maier. "I never really thought about that or kept up with that stat, but hearing that this morning on the bus ride was a really cool feeling. I know there's a lot of great goalies who come out of Saskatoon and being close to that benchmark and high on that list is pretty special to me."

#30 - Koen MacInnes

Commonly known as 'Koko' around the lockerroom, Koen MacInnes is looking to build of an impressive rookie campaign in blue and gold. The 18-year-old owned a 0.901 SV% and 2.84 GAA last season, including three shutouts to compliment his 14-5-1-0 record.

If endurance was ever in question, he proved he's fit for the task in January of 2020 when he started nine straight games after Nolan Maier came down with an injury.

"I think that stint help me understand what it takes to be a starter," MacInnes explained during the off-season. "It was the most physically challenging stretch I've ever experienced. Looking back I realize how blessed I am to have gotten a chance to play that stretch of hockey because I now better understand how to conserve energy and repair my body."

The "M&M" duo is arguably the most potent goaltending tandem in the league, and are under the watchful eye of newly hired goaltending coach Jeff Harvey. Both netminders are expected to share a bulk of the crease this season.

#33 - Ethan Chadwick

Drafted in the 3rd round (47th overall) in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, Ethan Chadwick will be a key component to the Blades crease in the future. Although he has yet to make his WHL debut, the 2004-born keeper was called up for back-up duties several times last season, and has worked closely with Maier, MacInnes, and goaltending coach Jeff Harvey in the past.

The hometown kid has impressive numbers as he graduates to the WHL as well, with a 0.910 SV% and 2.70 GAA with the Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA in 2019-20. Although the 2020-21 season was cut short, he was brilliant in three starts, going undefeated with a 0.958 SV% and 1.00 GAA. Chadwick's play earned him a nod for the SMAAAHL's Goaltender of the Month award for November.

While Maier and MacInnes will likely take the vast majority of playing time this season, don't be surprised to see Chadwick get his shot.

The Saskatoon Blades open the 2021 regular-season on Saturday, March 13, acting as the visiting team against the Swift Current Broncos at 4:00pm CT. The Blades home opener is set for Sunday, March 14, battling the host Regina Pats at 4:00pm CT.

Click here to view the full schedule.

All Blades games will be broadcast on WHL Live. Season and Flex ticket members are eligible for a discounted pass. Please check your email inbox or contact the Blades office to redeem. Games will also be broadcast on the radio at 98 COOL FM with the voice of the Blades, Les Lazaruk. Stay tuned for a list of establishments that will be showing the broadcasts.

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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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