Watch above: The Saskatoon Blades are still considered a young team this season. Jack Haskins reports on a 16-year-old forward whose set on becoming an impact player.
SASKATOON – The Saskatoon Blades are still considered young in their rebuild. Josh Paterson is one of those prospects who are not only set on making the team but becoming an impact player for the hockey club.
Paterson, who is from Edmonton, got his first taste of a WHL training camp in 2014 but he is now eligible to play at 16 years of age.
“It’s a lot more fun knowing that you can be part of something, like a team that’s good and moving forward in their rebuild,” said Paterson.
READ MORE: Cameron Hausinger hoping to earn spot on Saskatoon Blades roster
The Blades selected Paterson 25th overall in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.
He knew that if he wanted to compete at this level of hockey, he would have to bulk up. Over the past 16 months, he’s packed on 14 pounds of muscle and is now over 190 pounds.
“He’s such a smart player and he has ability and now that he has the size and strength, all that’s going to accumulate to some pretty great success here,” said Bob Woods, the Blades head coach and general manager.
The forward has made it clear he will do whatever it takes to make this team. That means, going all out at every practice.
But what he is really looking forward to is showing his stuff in an actual game.
“I can’t wait to play the next couple pre-season games. It’s always fun being in the game and having that chance to win,” said Paterson.
Paterson may get that opportunity to help the Blades pick up their first win of the pre-season as Saskatoon heads to Prince Albert Friday to take on the Raiders.
Jack Haskins contributed to this story
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