The Saskatoon Blades in their four years of exsistance have had both ups and downs.Brilliant players like Nigel Dawes,Matthew Lombardi,Mike Green,and Jason Williams.

The Blades are looking for a sucessful season this year,after finishing 6th in last years standings,with a record of 41-34-7 good for 89 points.This year they will be a more experienced team with vetern players such as Martin Rucinsky,Kyle Calder,Jon Klemm,and Aaron Miller playing for them.

The previous four veterns named will also be playing with a nice balance of youth.Players like Robby Dee,Dick Axelsson,Mattias Ritola,and Radek Smolenak will all be regular additions to the lineup and are expected to chip in right away.As well goalie James Riemer will be getting the occasional start as hes behind Joey MacDonald and Morgan Cey in the Detroit pipeline.

Recently named Captain of the squad Kyle Calder is excited for the upcoming season and likes the teams chances at a playoff berth."I think this team has a balanced mix of scoring and shutdown players.Robby and Dick just have to focus on putting the puck into the net and letting players like me and Pecks worry about shutting down the other team.With that mix I think we'll make the playoffs,and hopefully go far."Serving as Alternates this season will be:Martin Rucinsky-playing in his last season before hanging the skates up,Tomas Kopecky-who was recently given a 4 year deal,and Aaron Miller-also playing in his last season.

The lineup currently looks like this:

Axelsson-Perrault-Dee

Calder-Rittola-Mikhnov

Smolenak-Rabbit-Bayda

Rucinsky-Bourque-Kopecky

McCarthy-Lebda

Robidas-Quincey

Klemm-Miller

MacDonald

Cey

Extras:

Durand,Ledin,Meech,Pyett,Macias,Wilson,and Riemer.

With a good mix of talent on the team pundents are figuring a fifth or sixth place finish in the West this year.

Predictions:

Finsh:5th in the West
Goal Leader:Robby Dee-47
Assist Leader:Dick Axelsson-40
Point leader:Robby Dee:84
Goalie Leader:Joey MacDonald-30 wins

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