Rookies help Blades steamroll Broncos in 60th home opener

8,253 people filled the Sasktel Centre to watch and cheer on the Saskatoon Blades for their 60th home opener in franchise history.

But before the game started, last year’s team was honoured, celebrated and immortalized.

As two new banners hang in the Sasktel Centre, one for the East Division crown and the other for the Scotty Munro Memorial championship, which is handed out to the team with the best record in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Dan DaSilva, Blades Head Coach said he wished everyone could’ve been there to see it.“It’s unfortunate for guys who were on that team last year, aren’t here (and) can’t see it,” said DaSilva. “All their hard work and their effort they put in being immortalized and up in the rafters for the rest of time.”

The Blades who were winners last time out, continued their winning ways beating the Swift Current Broncos 9-3 in a wild game.

The cheering didn’t stop at the banner hanging as Blades forward Cooper Williams buried his first career WHL goal just six minutes into the game giving the Blades a 1-0 lead.

Williams said he was happy to get career goal number one out of the way early.

“It’s always good to have that happen,” said Williams.

But Swift Current quickly hushed the Blades faithful as Ty Coupland, Ryan Gould and Peyton Kettles all beat Blades net minder Austin Elliot giving the Broncos a 3-1 lead.

Blades forward Willy James found the back of the net before the end of the first period for his first career WHL goal as well.

As the second period began the Blades left their mark as forward Tyler Parr tied the game at three, then Blades defenceman Brayden Klimpke blasted one past Broncos goalie Reid Dyck for his first career WHL goal.

Then it was Ben Riche making his presence known to Blades fans as he notched two straight goals giving the Blades a 6-3 lead after two periods of play.

DaSilva said the message in between the first and second period was to simplify their game.

“I found we kind of created problems for ourselves by mismanaging pucks through the neutral zone,” said DaSilva. “I found we turned too many pucks over, we kind of got away from our game plan.”

But the Blades weren’t done there as they tallied three more goals in the third, including forward Colten Worthington’s first career WHL goal.

In total 12 players recorded a point in the lopsided victory including six rookies.

DaSilva said he’s been pleasantly surprised by the rookies.

“Those kids in their first WHL action, you couldn’t ask for anything more,” said DaSilva. “I’m very proud of what they’ve done in the first two games.”

The Blades host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday, when Saskatoon native and 2025 National Hockey League draft eligible Roger McQueen comes to town.