Expectations growing ahead of Blades season

The WHL season is right around the corner, and teams around the league are putting together the final pieces.

Rosters still need to be trimmed down, and cuts will still have to be made with just over a week until the first puck of the season drops.

Brennan Sonne, head coach of the Saskatoon Blades, said the team has a lot of veteran players returning from last year’s roster, which will help give the team a jump-start as coaches don’t need to teach all their schemes and systems to an entirely new crop of players.

Overall, Sonne said he’s liked how players have been performing through the Blades’ camp and pre-season.

“Certainly impressed,” Sonne said. “I like how our goalies played, too. It’s really positive around here.”

Sonne said everyone is working and competing hard, as the players are well aware the team’s roster still has to be trimmed down.

“It has been difficult. There are some job fights going on right now,” he said.

Sonne says expectations are higher this season than last, largely due to the Blades’ older roster.

“Go and see the average age and where teams finish,” Sonne said. “The older the team, the higher they finish in standings and the further they go in playoffs.”

Sonne said he is optimistic, but wouldn’t say where he expects the team to finish this season.

“We believe we have a really good team that can push. So yeah, I’m excited. I think we’re bigger, we have a great mix up front of size and speed and skill, and we’re older, so honestly, the expectations are higher, and we’re excited about that,” Sonne said.

With the season so close, those feelings of optimism and excitement are spreading around the locker room.

“The vibe around the dressing room, the vibe around the team — even in the coach’s office — it’s extremely positive. We’re pumped,” Sonne expressed.

The Blades will play two more pre-season games against the Prince Albert Raiders before opening the regular season in Prince Albert on Sept. 23.