Unlike the NHL, junior hockey can feel like a whirlwind. Players are only eligible to play from ages 16 to 21, meaning that only the special few remain with a team for five years; more commonly, players are only around for two or three seasons before going off to play in the NHL or find new opportunities elsewhere. The Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Saskatoon Blades saw several fan-favourites leave during the 2024-25 season, leaving the team with a brand new look partway through the year.
But, according to Troy Gillard, the play-by-play voice for the Red Deer Rebels, that’s part of what makes junior hockey so special. It’s always exciting to cheer for the players who will go on to become household names, but “you also get these guys that have worked their tails off in the WHL, go off to play university or college hockey for three or four more years, and then go on to lengthy professions, and they’re doing well for themselves that way. And then you get to know other guys who you just never quite know where their journeys are going. I love the unique stories that come with being around a junior hockey club. All of those things meshing together is what keeps me coming back.”
Many fans can relate to Gillard’s point of view. No matter where a player goes or how long they stay, it’s always special to have them pass through their hometown arena. As the Blades gear up to hit the ice again in September, here’s a reminder of those who spent some time in Saskatoon last season and where they’ll play in 2025-26.
Offseason Moves
Frantisek Dej
At 6-foot-5, Frantisek Dej is an imposing forward, which is exactly why the Blades brought him on board following the 2024 World Junior Championship. The Slovakian had spent a season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in 2023-24, but returned home when the team decided to use their import spots on Latvian goalie Linards Feldbergs and Swiss defender Elia Pedrotti. Dej got a second chance in North America with Saskatoon, but it was admittedly underwhelming; after 15 games, he had just two assists. Injuries were an issue, but it wasn’t enough to commit to another Import spot, so the 19-year-old was allowed to return home again. He’s set to join HC Banska Bystrica for the 2025-26 season.
Morgan Tastad and William James
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