The long and difficult rebuild for the Saskatoon Blades could start to pay off in the 2017-18 Western Hockey League (WHL) season.
The team is well-stocked with young talent, including rookie Kirby Dach who has star potential.
READ MORE: Training camp over for Saskatoon Blades
“Coming into this camp, I knew I was going to be a top player and I needed to show my leadership roles in the dressing room a bit more and I think I accomplished that,” Dach said.
Blades fans got a taste of what Dach brings to the ice last February when he lit up the highlight reel with his first two WHL goals.
He ended up posting 10 points in 19 games as an under-age player and said that experience gave him a taste of what to expect for his first full season with the team.
“It was very valuable for me, just to get my feet wet and understand what the league was about,” Dach said.
“Then coming back here and having the younger guys, only a year younger than me, look up to me, ask me for advice is something pretty cool.”
READ MORE: Saskatoon Blades sign top prospect Kirby Dach
Dach has high expectations for himself, with an eye on racking up 50 or 60 points in his rookie season, but the second-overall pick is keeping things in perspective.
“Those things don’t happen very easily if you’re not winning, so I think winning is the first thing that’s got to come to mind with this team, and understand a winning culture and start building it here,” Dach explained.
The Blades take to the ice Thursday in pre-season action when they travel to Regina to take on the Pats.
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