SASKATOON – Nobody is guaranteed a place on next season’s Saskatoon Blades roster. Every spot has to be earned. That’s why the team has called up a handful of rookies, so the staff can get an early look at what kind of talent is coming down the pipeline.
Prospects like Payton McIsaac, Tyler Lees, Matthew Mosher, and Joel Grzybowski will spend the remainder of the season with the Blades.
Payton McIsaac is one of the Blades top prospects. Saskatoon selected the Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. product 39th overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. McIsaac has already suited up in seven games with the boys in blue this season. Getting the opportunity to play in the WHL has been a “dream come true” for the 15-year-old defenceman.
“I’ve been going to WHL games since I was probably six years old,” said McIsaac. “I’d get tickets from my grandparents every year.”
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McIsaac has got a taste of what life is like in the WHL. Now his goal is to earn a full time spot on the Blades roster next season.
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Nobody saw more rubber than Joel Grzybowski in Saskatchewan’s Midget AAA Hockey League this season. The 16-year-old goalie led the league in saves, while posting a rock solid 92.6 save percentage in 33 games with the Saskatoon Blazers. Grzybowski has shown that he can excel in Midget AAA, but now he’s out to prove that he can play in the WHL.
“I’ve been setting goals my whole life. Ever since I started playing goalie, I always set my goal to the next level, and this is the next level I want to achieve.”
Just because the Blades are carrying a few extra rookie call ups, doesn’t necessarily mean that the young guns will get to suit up. The team is still determined to win its final three games of the regular season, so if the youngsters want to see some playing time, they’ll have to earn the right to do so in practice.
“Can they handle the pressure? The strength? Will the be able to battle with these guys or will the get out muscled? “said Blades head coach and general manager, Bob Woods. “They’re going to realize really quick where they are, and how far they have to go to play at this level.”
The Blades will play their third last game of the regular season on Wednesday night on the road against the Regina Pats.