WHL bantam draft provides new hope for Saskatoon Blades

Watch above: May 7, 2015 promises to be one of the biggest days yet for the new regime Saskatoon Blades. Kim Thue looks at what the Blades’ plans are for the WHL bantam draft.

SASKATOON – May 7, 2015 promises to be one of the biggest days yet for the new regime Saskatoon Blades. It’s draft day.

“You build around your draft,” said Bob Woods, the Blades head coach and general manager.

“It’s such an important part of the organization and we’ve put a lot of work into it.”

For a second straight year, the Saskatoon Blades won the WHL draft lottery, but for a second straight year, they don’t own the pick.

This doesn’t mean the hockey club won’t be major players. For the first time since 2010, the Blades own a first round selection. In fact they own two, the 12th and 18th overall picks, as well as the 16th pick in the second round.

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With that type of ammunition, Woods and company could make some noise.

“There are lots of options. Maybe try to move up or maybe move up in the second round as well,” said Woods.

“There are a lot of things you can do and we’re looking at every possible scenery to see what benefits us the most.”

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It’s clear the Blades have the resources to make some noise during draft day, but what is it that the Bridge City bunch will be looking to accomplish? What type of players will be brought in to help turn this franchise around? What type of players will become future pillars of the organization?

“Everyone has heard of ‘Blade Factor’ and that’s a pretty big grading on our scouting list,” explains Woods.

“The character is big. Watching players and how they play in situations. If they make a mistake, how do they handle it? If they are down five goals, how do they play? If they are up five goals, how do they play? We’re going to try to find the best players that fit for us.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The character is big. Watching players and how they play in situations. If they make a mistake, how do they handle it? If they are down five goals, how do they play? If they are up five goals, how do they play? We're going to try to find the best players that fit for us."

The WHL bantam draft goes May 7 and the future success of the Saskatoon Blades could be dependent on what happens that day.

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