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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Lisowsky Improving All Aspects of Game in Second WHL Season

January 27, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The Saskatoon Blades have many key figures contributing to their success this season, and one guy, in particular, is 17-year-old forward Brandon Lisowsky.

The 5-foot-9 winger has shot up the NHL Central Scouting charts, receiving a midterm rank of 87 earlier this month. "Liso" as many like to call him, says his shot is one of his biggest strengths.

"I've practiced my shot since I was four or five years old." said the Port Coquitlam, BC product. "It's something I do, out of 365 days I probably do it at least 350 times a year."

In 37 games this season, the skilled winger already has 21 goals, placing him second on the team behind alternate captain Kyle Crnkovic's mark of 23. There's no doubt Lisowsky hopes to have his name called to the stage come the NHL Entry Draft in July, and is putting in the work to get there.

Blades head coach Brennan Sonne has great praise for Lisowsky's game, saying it's been a pleasure working with the BC-born forward.

"From day one, it was really easy to see for me, that he had a skill set that's elite." said Sonne. "His shot, his explosiveness, his nose for scoring goals, it was all fairly obvious. He reminded me a lot of Oliver Bjorkstrand when I coached against him. When Liso has that explosiveness, and when he's looking at the net and shooting lots of pucks, they're gonna go in because he has that high-level skill."

The Blades winger isn't settling for just having a lethal shot, though. Lisowsky says there are other aspects of his game he would like to improve on as the NHL Entry Draft draws closer.

"I can score goals and stuff but I think playmaking and setting guys up is something I want to work on," added the former Blades first-round pick. "A lot of (scouts) tell me that I should work on changing speeds and changing angles, how I skate and just become more dynamic. That's something I think can separate me from the rest of the players."

These are areas Lisowsky has addressed recently, and he implemented a few new measures to his game in last weekend's two-goal performance against Winnipeg.

"Even out here working on specific skills these last two days, I'm feeling really good improvement," he added. "I've been trying to do it in these last couple of games too and trying to implement them into my game."

Coach Sonne says Lisowsky has taken on numerous challenges and roles this season, and he continues to rise to the occasion.

"Liso's ability to adapt to situations that I've put him in has been really encouraging," said Sonne. "Going from the half-wall on the powerplay, to bumper on the powerplay, to this group to that group, to playing on the right-wing to playing on this left-wing, to playing with this line to playing with that line and he's taken it in stride. It hasn't distracted from the team focus and what he needs to do to be a contributor to the team."

Lisowsky is one of four Blades to earn a nod by NHL scouts in the most recent charts. Fellow forwards Egor Sidorov (121) and Kyren Gronick (131), along with blueliner Charlie Wright (140), make up a talented young cast of contributors who are on professional radars.

"Everyone has their individual goals, and what they want to get done whether it's playing pro hockey, getting drafted, or getting a contract as a 19, 20-year-old. (These four) have taken that and it hasn't trumped what the team is trying to get done," continued Sonne. "Their individual goals are obvious and we talk about them all the time, but it's never taken away from trying to get better as a team."

Lisowsky says having three other players recognized by NHL Central Scouting on the team is helping push every player to be their best.

"We push each other," he added. "Not just those guys, but everyone. Even guys who want contracts and stuff. Everyone pushes each other, but definitely us four. We want to move up those rankings and push each other in practice."

The Blades are in the heat of a playoff race for second-place in the East Division, currently tied with the Moose Jaw Warriors with 44 points. Meanwhile, the Brandon Wheat Kings don't lurk far behind, positioned at fourth, just four ticks back. Saskatoon's next game just so happens to come against Brandon this Sunday.

Although Lisowsky has caught the attention of personnel working for professional hockey clubs, his focus remains within the team, and doing what he can to being a WHL Championship to The City of Bridges.

"(The attention) is cool to look at, but I'm trying to focus on the team and focus on the task at hand," he said. "Every day, coming to the rink, coming to the gym, I'm just focusing on the moment. That's what my mindset is."

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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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