Saskatoon Blades: A Season to Remember

(photo courtesy Saskatoon Blades)


As the seconds ticked down, realization set in - the season was over for the East Division Champion, Saskatoon Blades.

Fighting back tears, Blades Goaltender Braden Holtby summed up the feeling after the game, "It's pretty sad. We're kinda shocked right now but you know, I guess it wasn't meant to be."

Blades Captain, Derek Hulak chimed in, "There's something missing there whenever you lose out. You know it's really tough right now and hopefully one day we can look back on this and realize how it feels and hopefully we don't get put in this situation again."

But through tragedy comes triumph as the Blades have made great strides towards the future. "We have a lot to be proud of this season. We've made leaps and bounds from the last few years here - we'll always be the Division Champs!" Hulak also said, "Although our playoff run didn't go the way we wanted it to go, I think someday we'll be able to look at that and be able to remember the guys and group we had."

The guys said goodbye after Game Seven and on Thursday morning cleaned out their lockers and went their separate ways. While the season is done, some junior careers over, for others - it's off to the next step in their lifelong dreams.

"Growing up I had two dreams. Basically one was to play for the Saskatoon Blades and the other was to win the Stanley Cup. And I guess I've accomplished one of them and it's on to the next now." That next step for Holtby is joining the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League - the farm team to the Washington Capitals. He's not expected to return to the WHL next season, etiher cracking the Caps roster or spending the year with the Bears.

Also saying goodbye next year will be the two 20-year olds in Colin Joe and Adam Chorneyko. The team will see more changes as they're stockpiled with 19-year olds and will have to trim that down sooner rather than later.

It's been a season that won't soon be forgotten and one that we all wish could have lasted just a bit longer.

2008/09 SASKATOON BLADES

- 49 Wins, 18 Losses, 3 OT Losses, 2 Shootout Losses
- WHL East Division Champions (first since 1994)
- 28 Road Wins (tied WHL Record)