Blades’ Crnkovic leading WHL scoring race

Kyle Crnkovic is showing off his leadership qualities with the Blades this season.

The 2002-born product out of Chestermere, Alberta isn’t just leading the Blades in scoring but finds himself at the top of the hill across the entire WHL.

In just 40 games, Crnkokvic already has 26 goals, to go with 37 assists for a whopping 63 points.

“It’s been an awesome season,” Crnkovic said on The Green Zone. 

“I think being older and more confident and just wanting to get better each year has been the focus.”

The Blades leading scorer said it wasn’t ideal to miss out on being selected in the NHL Draft, but he tries to keep a positive mindset while controlling what he can.

“I mean, the draft was obviously disappointing, but you can’t think too much about that kind of stuff. (I) just worry about helping the team.”

Crnkovic has gone from being one of the younger and quiet players on the team into a leader that other players look up to.

He credits a lot of that leadership to one of his old teammates in former captain Chase Wouters.

“(Wouters) was an awesome leader and an awesome guy to be around. As a young guy, just kind of coming in and learning from him and trying to take things as he did was big for me,” Crnkovic said.

With individual success comes overall team success.

The Blades have won seven of their last 10 games, and sit just outside second place in the Eastern Division behind the Moose Jaw Warriors by four points with four games in hand.

Crnkovic believes that some key moves at the deadline by General Manager Colin Priestner have turned this team into a true contender.

“I think Colin (Priestner) did a great job, we got some great pieces. I’m excited for the second half, we’re kind of hitting our stride just at the right time.”

Saskatoon picked up Noah Boyko from the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kyren Gronick from Prince George, and also scooped up Warman, SK. product Josh Pillar from the Kamloops Blazers. Pillar is currently dealing with a private medical issue and has yet to suit up in a Blades uniform.

Boyko has come in and hopped right on a line with Crnkovic and Tristen Robins. The WHL leading scorer gives credit to both of his linemates and Head Coach Brennan Sonne for his success.

“I’d say I would probably contribute (the success) to my linemates. I’ve been playing with Robins now for four years now and we got Boyko now who fits well with us.”

“I think (Sonne) emphasizes a lot on playing fast. I think as forwards, that’s awesome for us. We like to get open and just catch teams, so it’s been awesome.”

In terms of the future for Crnkovic, it’s all about focusing on the task at hand in this season.

The Blades have 28 remaining games before potentially embarking on a playoff run.