2024-25 WHL Season Preview: Saskatoon Blades

Welcome to The Hockey News 2024-25 season preview series. From August 29 to September 20, THN's WHL duo will examine some of the biggest storylines facing each team this season. Today's edition is focused on the Saskatoon Blades, who look to repeat their 2024 Eastern Conference Final appearance.

2023-24 Statistics:
Regular Season Record: 50-13-2-3, 105 Points (1st East Division)
Playoffs: Defeated Prince Albert 4-1
Defeated Red Deer 4-0
Defeated By Moose Jaw 4-3
Key Departures: Trevor Wong (F), Charlie Wright (D), Easton Armstrong (F)
Key Additions: Tristan Mitchell-McEllhone (F), Ben Riche (F), Jack Lavallee (D)

It would be difficult to list all of the important departures from Saskatoon in one line but that is the price to be paid for making a deep playoff run. As one of just three teams to reach 100 points in 2023-24, the Blades were a force all season but were taken down in the third round by the eventual WHL Champions, the Moose Jaw Warriors.

With that being said, one of the major returnees for Saskatoon is defenceman Tanner Molendyk. The Nashville Predators prospect played a major role on the blue line last season, and with captain Trevor Wong aging out, will be leaned on even more heavily to lead the up-and-coming players on the team.

Along with Molendyk, the other remaining piece of last year's leadership group is Brandon Lisowsky. Spending all 227 career WHL games in Saskatoon, Lisowsky will also be in strong contention for the Blades now-vacant captaincy, even wearing the "C" in pre-season play.

As a result of five of seven of the Blades' top scorers moving on, Saskatoon will have to rely on their influx of youth. 2008-born defenceman Nathan Guenther (brother of Dylan) looks to break into the WHL coming of a productive U17 season, as well as 2007-born forward Hudson Kibblewhite, who is eager to have himself a breakout sophomore season.

In goal, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner will likely be looked on as the starter, and rightfully so. Posting a .927 save percentage and 1.91 goals against average over 30 games is no easy feat, and in tandem with Austin Elliott, Saskatoon should have a formidable goaltending duo this season.

While Saskatoon may not reach the heights they did in 2023-24, they will still be in the thick of the playoff picture and may even scrap their way to home-ice advantage for a series.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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