WHL Saskatoon Blades

Training Camp Roster Review: Forwards

Published on August 27, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Blades Insider Adam Ehrmantraut breaks down the Blades' forward group situation ahead of the 2019-20 Western Hockey League Regular Season.

Gone from the Blades are forwards Max Gerlach (graduated), Gary Haden (trade with Victoria) and Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen (Europe). Saskatoon now faces the challenge of replacing the 72 goals brought by Gerlach and Haden, along with 29 points from Roykas-Marthinsen.

Kirby Dach is also no certainty to return as he starts his 2019-20 campaign with the Chicago Blackhawks. Dach was one of the Blades top players last season, chipping in with 73 points in 62 games - good enough to represent the league on Team WHL for the 2018 CIBC Canada/Russia Series. Dach was taken by the Blackhawks 3rd overall at the 2019 National Hockey League Entry Draft and is a possibility to crack the Blackhawks roster this fall. Just one 3rd overall pick since 2010 has been in the NHL the following year for the full season; Jesperi Kotkaniemi after the 2018 NHL Draft. Dach will be eligible to play in 9 games with the Blackhawks before burning a year off of his contract. Chicago's 10th game of the 2019-20 season is on October 27th and by that time the Blades will have played 15 regular season games.

20-year-old wingers Ryan Hughes and Riley McKay often rounded out the Blades' top line alongside Dach last season. Now both make up part of Saskatoon's overager situation this year. Hughes was acquired from Portland at the trade deadline last season and didn't miss a beat during his time with Blade City, registering 29 points in 26 games. McKay added a little bit of everything to the Blades' lineup. He led the league with 149 penalty minutes and also notched 27 points. The Blades have a tough decision ahead of them regarding the three 20-year-old spots available. One of Scott Walford, Nolan Kneen, Ryan Hughes and Riley McKay will have to be moved.

Captain Chase Wouters will be looking for new wingers this year after the departures of Gary Haden and Max Gerlach. Wouters had 39 points last season highlighted by a strong second half with 24 points in 31 games. Wouters is also key player on special teams, playing on both the power-play and penalty kill while winning 55.4% of his face-offs. A potential candidate for the job is sophomore Kyle Crnkovic. Like Wouters, Crnkovic had a strong second half last season, registering 25 points in 31 games after just 6 in his first 20 games.

Meanwhile, versatile forward Eric Florchuk will be entering his second full season as a member of the Blue and Gold. Florchuk was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and will be looking to improve on last season's 50-point campaign in pursuit of earning a professional contract. 18-year-old Tristan Robins will also be looking to improve on his rookie season where he registered 25 points in 68 games. Robins was largely in a bottom-six role last season, but finished the playoffs playing key minutes further up in the lineup.

Also contending to return for the Blades are mid-season acquisitions Cyle McNabb and Zach Huber, along with third year Blade and Regina product Randen Schmidt. McNabb, Huber and Schmidt were rotated through the bottom-six last season and will be looking to take on a bigger role in the Saskatoon's depleted forward group.

Other forwards competing for jobs include 2018 6th overall pick Colton Dach, the younger brother of Kirby. For 2018-19 Colton registered 28 points in 32 games while playing Midget AAA with Fort Saskatchewan. He was called up to the Blades late last season but did not dress in a game. 17-year-old Braden Plaschewsky made his WHL debut last season, playing in one game for the Blades. He won all seven face-offs he took against the Seattle Thunderbirds. A draft selection back in 2017, Plaschewsky will be looking to make the jump to the WHL this season after spending last year with the Midget AAA Calgary Buffaloes.

Brady Nicholas will look to crack the Blades roster once again after playing 9 games with the team last season. Invitee Tyler Ho also is looking to be signed by the Blades. He spent the last two seasons with the Vancouver Giants, playing in 76 games. Sammy May and Jayden Wiens are a pair of signed 16-year-olds who will be hoping to defy the odds as late round draft picks to make the team.

Attending their first Saskatoon Blades Training Camp are 2019 WHL Bantam Draft picks Brandon Lisowsky and Hayden Smith. Lisowksy was selected by the Blades 9thoverall and was mentioned as the best goal scorer in the entire 2019 draft. Smith was selected by the Blades at 47thoverall and has been noted as a player with good speed and offensive instincts.

For information on becoming a Saskatoon Blades Season Member, click here or contact the Blades office at info@saskatoonblades.com or by calling 306-975-8844.

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Western Hockey League Stories from August 27, 2019


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