Saskatoon duo ready to hear their names called during WHL Bantam Draft

Saskatoon will be well represented early on in Wednesday’s WHL Bantam Draft thanks to a dynamic duo out of the Contacts AAA program.

Forwards Brayden Yager and Riley Heidt are both expected to hear their names called early in the virtual draft, which is set to get underway at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The pair have developed quite the chemistry together, playing for the Midget AAA Contacts this past season. Before this season, the two played together with the Martensville Marauders minor hockey program.

“We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember now, and we’ve played together for a long time here, so it’s awesome,” Heidt said of his teammate Yager.

Both Yager and Heidt produced at nearly a point-per-game pace during the 2019-20 season, with Yager leading the pair, scoring 18 goals and 42 points in 44 games. Those stats were good for third on the Contacts.

Meanwhile, Heidt’s 17 goals with 37 points in 44 games slotted him fifth on the team in scoring.

Both 2005-born prospects also spoke about their push for ‘exceptional status’ this season. The two applied to join the WHL early, but were denied the request. B.C.’s Connor Bedard was accepted, and will be chosen first overall in Wednesday’s draft.

The two said they learned a lot with the application process, and are excited to spend another year playing with the Contacts.

“It was good to be a part of the process. I was pretty lucky that Hockey Canada considered my application, and allowed me to go through the process,” Yager said. “Connor Bedard is a great player, and he deserves it.”

On the other hand, Heidt said he’s looking to use the failed request as motivation as he continues his hockey career.

“I’m just going to use it here as further motivation to get better. It was a great process, I’m glad I’ve been able to put my name between a lot of those guys that applied for it.”

On multiple mock drafts for Wednesday’s bantam draft, the two names of Riley Heidt and Brayden Yager end up high on many draft boards.

Although the Saskatoon Blades pick at number 5, both Heidt and Yager said the thought of playing for their hometown team would fulfill a dream come true.

“It’s been a dream ever since I’ve been a little kid to play on the Blades. It would be awesome,” Heidt said.

Yager echoed Heidt’s comments, and spoke about his familiarity around the organization.

“I think that would be pretty cool to play at home, in front of my family and friends,” Yager said. “I got to know the Blades staff and organization. They’re unbelievable people.”

Yager’s father, Cam also spoke about his son’s future, and the thought of his impending selection in Wednesday’s draft.

“It’s been really good to be able to watch him develop and hopefully we put him in a position to have some success,” he said. “You always have these hopes and dreams. We’re really excited about it. It’s been fun to be a part of.”

Trent Heidt, Riley’s father, said he has coached many of the 2005-born prospects in Western Canada. He says watching that talent grow over the years has been a privilege.

“(I’m) very excited. Lots of hard work to get to this point, there’s some really good players in the draft. So, it’s just really exciting to watch so many good, local guys.”

The Heidt bloodline is strong when it comes to the game of hockey.

Tyler Heidt, Riley’s brother, just finished his second season of Divison 1 hockey with the Merrimack Warriors in the NCAA. Miranda Heidt, Riley’s sister, is a forward heading into her second year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Program.

Additionally, Riley’s cousin, Ryan Keller played professional hockey around the world. That included a short stint in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, before he returned to Saskatoon as an assistant coach with the Blades.

“They’ve all played a high level of hockey, and different kinds of sports,” Riley said when speaking about his family. “It’s awesome (having family) to look up to.”

Wednesday’s draft can be seen on both the WHL’s website, along with their YouTube page beginning at 10 a.m.