Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
The Saskatoon Blades begin their 2025-26 Western Hockey League (WHL) season on the road Friday with a Highway 11 tilt against the Prince Albert Raiders at the Art Hauser Centre. Tonight’s 7:00pm puck drop marks the first of eight meetings this season between the interprovincial rivals.
Emotions were high to end the season between these two clubs in March. The Blades and Raiders went head-to-head at the Art Hauser Centre in the final game of the regular season with the East Division Title up for grabs. A late goal by the Raiders sealed the 4-3 victory, knocking the Blades down to sixth place in the Eastern Conference while waving them off the ice afterwards. Saskatoon had the upper hand in this year’s preseason, beating the Raiders three out of four meetings.
The Blades announced their leadership group for the upcoming campaign on Thursday. 20-year-old forward Tyler Parr was named the 64th captain in franchise history, while fellow 20-year-old winger Rowan Calvert, Calgary Flames draft pick Hunter Laing, and sophomore defenceman Brayden Klimpke flank him as alternate captains.
The New Guys
Blades fans will get their first look at 20-year-old forward Dominik Petr and veteran blueliner Tristen Doyle. Petr was acquired by the Blades at the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft in May from the Brandon Wheat Kings. The 6-foot-3 centreman scored a career-high 47 points (15G, 32A) in 55 games last year with Brandon, giving him 92 points (32G, 60A) in 122 career WHL games across two seasons with the Wheat Kings. Doyle was acquired by the Blades from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in July. The former WHL first-round pick brings 188 games of experience with him to the Bridge City. The Blades have seven rookies on their opening night roster, four of which have yet to make their WHL debut.
Far From Home
Laing, along with 19-year-old netminder Evan Gardner and 2007-born winger David Lewandowski, are away at their respective National Hockey League (NHL) training camps. Laing is at Flames main camp while Gardner is set for action in his second straight Blue Jackets camp. This fall marks the first NHL training camp for Oilers 2025 fourth-round pick Lewandowski after the organization selected him at the NHL Entry Draft in June.
The Opposition
The Raiders are also missing several key players in their lineup due to NHL camps. 20-year-old captain Justice Christensen cracked Detroit Red Wings main camp on Wednesday, while forward Max Heise is at San Jose Sharks camp. Prince Albert will look to veteran forward Aiden Oiring to lead the offence tonight, as well as sophomore defenceman and first overall pick of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft Daxon Rudolph.
Rowan Calvert is 11 points away from 100 in his WHL career
Dominik Petr is eight points away from 100 in his WHL career
Jack Kachkowski is ten games away from 100 in his WHL career
Tristen Doyle is 12 games away from 200 in his WHL career
Evan Gardner needs six more wins for 50 in his WHL career
Fans can watch tonight’s game for FREE on Victory+ TV. Click HERE to make your free account today.
Voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk will have the call on 600 CJWW. Coverage begins at 6:45pm with the pre-game show hosted by Lazaruk.
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