1994 Blades alumni relive memories of WHL conference finals

It’s been almost 30 years since the Saskatoon Blades last made it to a WHL conference final, and this year’s run is bringing back memories from the last team that made it back in 1994.

Saskatoon is to face the Winnipeg Ice in the Eastern Conference final. The best-of-seven series is to begin Friday.

In 1994 it was a bit of an easier route to get to the conference final compared to this year’s team. The ’94 Blades swept the Swift Current Broncos and then beat the Brandon Wheat Kings in five games.

Former Saskatoon Blades forward Clarke Wilm with one of the shirts from the 1993-94 season. (Steve Seto/650 CKOM)

Dave Chartier, who was a coach in ’94, said the run the team is on now is incredible, but the current staff has some questions for the players.

“The managers and coaches are saying ‘Why are we taking the long road to this?’ ” Chartier said, though he noted the level of fan support and excitement has been amazing.

So far the Blades have found themselves down 0-2 and 0-3 in their first two playoff series only to come back and win both in Game 7.

While the road to get there was a little bit different, there are some similarities between the two teams.

“Obviously the game has changed a lot, but I think one thing that hasn’t changed is the compete level in the kids,” said Clarke Wilm, who played with the Blades for four years, including ’94 prior to his NHL career.

He said that was evident during the series against the Regina Pats in the first round.

“For them to battle back in that series was good to see, and I think they probably learned a few things from that series on when you’re down and how to compete and what it takes to win games,” Wilm added.

Rhett Warrener, who played for the Blades from ’91 through ’95 before going on to the NHL, said it was remarkable to see the team overcome big obstacles in the first two rounds.

“It was extremely impressive,” Warrener said.

As a coach, Chartier said he’s been impressed by Blades head coach Brennan Sonne and the adjustments he’s made during the playoffs.

“It’s incredible to have that kind of swing. But he had mentioned it in one of his interviews where Red Deer was playing heavy and they had to figure out what to do. So hats off to him, because he did a great job,” Chartier said.

Chartier noted the teams today have the advantage of being able to watch video immediately in order to make those changes, unlike in ’94 when it wasn’t as readily available.

But Chartier said the players also have to buy in to what Sonne and his staff are saying, or else it will fall on deaf ears.

Wilm and Warrener both said that while it was great to have the structure of the coaching staff to guide them along, success started with a strong culture in the locker room and that meant they were playing for the guys sitting next to them.

“Guys know when they’re not playing good. You can hear it from a coach, but when you hear it from a teammate to get going … you want to go out and compete as hard as you can so you don’t let your buddies down,” Wilm said.

“The only way you do it is if you can look across the room and you know the guy you’re looking at has your back and he believes in you, and the same thing you’ve got for him. It’s got to be a brotherhood,” Warrener added.

That’s exactly what current Blades captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere said on Tuesday after Game 7 against Red Deer.

“It’s a brotherhood. It literally is, and I’m just so happy to be a part of it,” De La Gorgendiere said.

Wilm, who’s been to a couple of the games this year, said SaskTel Centre has been lively, and it always helps as a player to know you have support in the stands.

“You can tell the city is excited and the people that are going to the game are excited and cheering and providing that atmosphere for the players,” Wilm said.

“That’s what I remember back when I played; our fans were great, and it’s good to see they’re back out and supporting the team.”

Warrener also had some advice for the Blades going into the series with Winnipeg.

“Don’t get yourself behind the eight ball again in another series. Play like you did the last four against Red Deer and let’s see where the cards lie at the end of this one,” Warrener said.

Warrener said he’s ready to see the Blades win it all for the players, staff, organization and the city.

“I wish them the best of success,” he said. “It’s time for a Memorial Cup to end up in Saskatoon.”