WHL Saskatoon Blades

Preview: Blazers at Blades - December 11th

Published on December 11, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


With the roster shifted, the questions is: Can the Blades find consistency and end their four game losing streak? As Don Hay and the Kamloops Blazers make their biennial trip to Saskatoon, the Blades are looking to get back on track.

OFF THE TOP: Saskatoon is back in action after nearly a week off since their last game. Their most recent test came against the Brandon Wheat Kings last Saturday night in Brandon. The Blades put up a hard fought effort to claw back within a goal late in the second period but couldn't complete the comeback as Brandon came away with the 5-3 victory. Wyatt Sloboshan recorded a goal and an assist, while Brock Hamm made 43 saves in the loss.

BLAZERS vs. BLADES: This is the first and only meeting of the season between the Blades and Blazers. Kamloops won the lone matchup last season against the Blades. Four unanswered goals including two in the final minute gave the Blazers the victory. Former Blade Matt Revel scored twice for Kamloops. Nikita Soshnin, Ryan Graham, and Cameron Hebig each registered a point in the loss.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS: The Blades continued to shake up their roster this week. Earlier, they sent RW - Josh Uhrich to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a 5th round pick in 2016. On Thursday, the Blades made a pair of trades involving goaltenders, Jake Morrissey was traded to the Vancouver Giants for a 7th round pick in 2016. This move was made to make room for their newest acquisition, 6'6", Nashville Predators prospect, Evan Smith. Smith, a 7th round NHL pick in 2015, was acquired, along with a 5th and 9th round pick in 2016, for a 3rd round pick in 2018. Smith will join the team on Monday, in the meantime, Saskatoon has recalled Dorrin Luding from the Cariboo Cougars of the BCMML.

ROOKIE REVOLUTION: With the call up of G - Dorrin Luding, the Blades currently have 7 1999-born players on their roster.  Along with Hausinger, Paterson, MacKenzie, Christensen, Kustra, and Leslie, these rookies are earning valuable minutes for the Blades who will be looked upon as the future of the team going forward.

CRACKING THE LIST: The NHL's Central Scouting service released their updated "Players to Watch" List, Blades import defenceman Libor HAJEK made the list with a 'B' rating. This ranking projects HAJEK as a 2nd/3rd round draft candidate. The 2016 NHL draft eligible has 14 points (3g-11a) in 27 games this season for the Blades.

APPROACHING A MILESTONE: Blades captain Nick ZAJAC will play in his 279th career game in the WHL tonight, all with the Blades. He currently sits 14th on the Blades all-time games played list. Nick will tie Jason Christie for 13th on the all-time list tonight. If Zajac reaches the 300 game plateau (which he is on pace to hit in late January) he will be one of eight Blades to reach the milestone. Zajac has 42 goals, and 76 assists in his WHL and Blades career.

UP NEXT: Saskatoon will have a day off before taking on the Regina Pats on Sunday. Game time is at 4PM.

MILESTONES/STREAKS:

Cameron Hebig has 11 points (3G-8A) in his past 11 games.

Cameron Hebig is 4 points away from 100 career.

Wyatt Sloboshan has 7 points (4G-3A) in his past 9 games.

Ryan Graham is 6 games away from 200 career in the WHL.

Connor Gay is 7 games away from 200 career in the WHL.

AGE BREAKDOWN:

1995 (3): Nick Zajac, Mitch Wheaton, Connor Gay

1996 (2): Ryan Graham, Bryton Sayers

1997 (6): Brock Hamm, Mason McCarty, Cam Hebig, Nikita Soshnin, Terrell Draude, Wyatt Sloboshan

1998 (5): Nolan Reid, Luke Gingras, Libor Hajek, Anthony Bishop, Schael Higson

1999 (7): Cameron Hausinger, Josh Paterson, Lukus MacKenzie, Logan Christensen, Jake Kustra, Jantzen Leslie, Dorrin Luding

GEOGRAPHICAL BREAKDOWN:

SK (8): Brock Hamm, Terrell Draude, Connor Gay, Cam Hebig, Nolan Reid, Bryton Sayers, Wyatt Sloboshan, Jake Kustra

AB (7): Ryan Graham, Lukus MacKenzie, Mason McCarty, Josh Paterson, Mitch Wheaton, Schael Higson, Janzten Leslie

MB (2): Nick Zajac, Logan Christensen

BC (3): Anthony Bishop, Luke Gingras, Dorrin Luding

AK (1): Cameron Hausinger

RUS (1): Nikita Soshnin

CZE (1) : Libor Hajek

LEADING SCORERS:

Cameron Hebig: 28GP-12G-18A-30PTS

Connor Gay: 26GP-9G-14A-23PTS

Nick Zajac: 28GP-7G-11A-18PTS

Ryan Graham: 28GP-9G-8A-17PTS

Wyatt Sloboshan: 26GP-7G-10A-17PTS

Libor Hajek: 28GP-3G-11A-14PTS

DRAFTED PLAYERS: Mitch Wheaton (DET - 5th, 2013)

SPECIAL TEAMS:

PP: 17/120 - 14.2% (21st)PK: 108/129 - 83.7% (3rd)

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics

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