SASKATOON – Saskatoon Blades left winger Ryan Graham has shown steady improvement throughout his Western Hockey League (WHL) career. This year could be his break out season.
Graham is gearing up for his fourth full season with the Blades and is ready to take the next step after attending his second NHL training camp.
“It was a fantastic experience for me,” Graham said of the time he spent at the Minnesota Wild’s training camp.
“I learned a lot up there and I think I developed a lot as a player.”
Bob Woods, the Blades general manager and head coach, is expecting a big year from Graham.
“I just got to see him the last weekend, he looks really strong and I expect a big year out of him.”
READ MORE: Saskatoon Blades veteran Nick Zajac enters his final WHL season
Graham is coming off his most productive season, scoring 20 goals and adding 15 assists, but this year, he is striving to be a more complete player.
“I want to get stronger, faster, improve on all areas of my game,” said Graham, who added his play in the defensive zone can always get better.
It’s a point reiterated by Woods.
“The area I think to take the next step is just tightening up his defensive play,” said Woods.
The puck drops on the Blades 2015-16 season this Friday when they host the Prince Albert Raiders in the first game of a home-and-home series. Game time is 7:05 p.m. CT.
Jack Haskins contributed to this story
Comments