Blades Uncut

Blades Uncut, powered by Original 16, is back with another jam-packed episode featuring the latest in the local and national world of sports, along with an in-depth look into the life of a fan-favourite alumni. Josh Nicholls, who dressed in more than 300 career games in a Pacman sweater, calls in from his west-coast home and looks back on his five-year career in Saskatoon. Now 29-years-old, Nicholls reflects on the glory days of playing under head coach Lorne Molleken, the relationships he built in The Bridge City, and the numerous opportunities he's had thanks to his junior hockey career. Prior to their chat with the former assistant captain, Mitch and Les recap the last two weeks of headlines, including the recent acquisition of the Saskatchewan Rush by the Priestner Sports Corporation, and newly graduated defenceman Wyatt McLeod's signing with the AHL's Colorado Eagles. The guys also announce a new trivia question winner, and give their two cents on this week's PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in South Carolina.

Les Lazaruk is back from Regina, folks! The voice of the Blades joins host Mitch Bach inside the recording studios of CJWW Radio for the 36th episode of Blades Uncut, presented by Original 16, featuring Saskatoon Blades general manager Colin Priestner. Fresh off wrapping up his fifth season as GM of the team, Priestner dives into his level of satisfaction following the crew's 16-5-2-1 record in the 2021 campaign, and shares his thoughts on what next year's team might look like. The guys discuss the uncertainty surrounding power-forward Tristen Robins and whether he'll return to the club as a 20-year-old or stay with the San Jose Sharks organization, and also asks whether any 2001-born players are guaranteed to come back next season. Mitch and Les also chat all-things pop-culture with Priestner, such as his love for foreign tv shows, his history performing as a musician, and whether he has any summer trips planned this off-season with the family. The guys also recap last episode's trivia question which includes a winner, plus they present a new question for listeners, related to the illustrious career put together by three-year captain and graduated forward Chase Wouters. 

Mitch Bach and Les Lazaruk are back with another jam-packed episode of Blades Uncut, powered by Original 16, featuring leading rookie scorer Brandon Lisowsky as the main guest. Lisowsky is off to a great start to his WHL career, netting 15 points through his first 20 games, and working his way to the top line alongside captain Chase Wouters and alternate captain Caiden Daley. The former 1st round pick by Saskatoon dives into his experience living and playing in the Hub Centre environment, how he's been able to transition into major junior hockey so seamlessly, and what a typical day in isolation looks like. Prior to chatting with Lisowsky, Mitch and Les recap the last trivia question from Episode 34 which includes a funny story involving the winner. The guys also give their thoughts on the Blades position in the East Division, and what they need to do to catch up to the Brandon Wheat Kings in order to win the division pennant. 

Blades Uncut, presented by Original 16 returns for its 34th episode, and the first recording in two weeks! Mitch Bach takes a deep dive into how the last few games have transpired and gives a complete stats update before welcoming the voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk onto the pod. The two chat the latest news in the WHL, and Les gives his thoughts on the recent slump the boys are dealing with. Defenceman Wyatt McLeod makes his return to Blades Uncut as well, and gives his thoughts on how life in the bubble is going. McLeod was traded from the Edmonton Oil Kings to Saskatoon in the off-season, and says it was a seamless transition onto the roster, which was made a little easier given the circumstances everyone is dealing with. The pending WHL graduate also gives his insight on the team's hot start, what a typical off-day looks like, and touches on a 'delicate' story involving associate coach Ryan Marsh from his days with the Oil Kings. Before wrapping up the episode, Mitch and Les share their predictions on the 2021 Masters, and place their bets on who will come away with the coveted green jacket on Sunday. 

Mitch Bach is back with an all-new episode of Blades Uncut, presented by Original 16, diving deep into Saskatoon's scorching hot start to the regular season. This is the first Uncut recording in two weeks — before the 24-game schedule began — so there is clearly a lot to look back on. Mitch's regular co-host, voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk, is bunking in Regina calling play-by-play for the team on 98 Cool FM, so Mitch was the lone host inside the recording booth. But not to be of disappointment to Blade City, Mitch rings up Les to get his two cents on the team's 6-0-1-0 start. After touching on a few topics, including a recap of last episodes trivia question, the guys welcome newcomer Blake Stevenson onto the pod. Stevenson is a new face in the Blades lockerroom, having spent his entire WHL career with the Tri-City Americans before a trade landed him in the Paris of the Prairies. The 2001-born forward is enjoying a tremendous start to the season, scoring four goals and four assists in seven games — sitting second in team scoring behind only Kyle Crnkovic. The guys chat with Stevenson about the chemistry the team has early on, how he's enjoying the change in scenery from south of the border, and what he's been up to in his downtime. After their chat with Stevenson, Mitch and Les present a new trivia question for listeners and preview Friday afternoon's contest against the Regina Pats.

After 368 long, tiring, painstaking, quarantine-filled, mask-wearing days, Blades hockey is ready to drop the puck. Saskatoon kicks off their 24-game regular season on Saturday, taking on the Swift Current Broncos from the confines of Regina's Hub Centre. This week's episode, presented by Original 16, takes a deep look into the 26 players representing the Blades during the entirety of the campaign, and reminds fans of the numerous ways they can be a part of the action - even if every game is taking place 2.5 hours away. Mitch and Les welcome returning forward Kyle Crnkovic to the podcast for the second time to discuss how the first week of practice has gone, expectations for the upcoming season, how the numerous new players are gelling with the returning veterans, and what living in Regina's bubble environment is like. Crnkovic will surely be relied upon to help drive offence this year, considering he led the Blades in assists last season, and averaged over a point per game. Following their chat with Crnkovic, the guys present a new trivia question to listeners and give an update to how Blades Uncut, presented by Original 16, will be recorded during the season. 

This week's episode of Blades Uncut takes a deep dive into the Hub Centre in Regina, bringing one player who's sure to be a difference-maker this season onto the podcast, along with the mastermind behind piecing together the Blades roster years in advance. Caiden Daley and Dan Tencer make their Uncut debuts this week, discussing the finer details of what fans should expect from within the bubble this season. Daley is one of three pending graduates of the WHL on the Blades roster, bringing unrivaled speed and hockey IQ onto the ice. He'll be greatly depended on this season, not just for his quickness and playmaking abilities, but also as a leader for the young crop of rookies set to make their WHL debuts. Daley also dives into his days playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings, and what it was like to be traded to Regina and Saskatoon in the same season. Following the conversation with the 20-year-old, Mitch and Les welcome Tencer on to discuss the preparation which went into piecing this year's team. Due to the strict limitations imposed by COVID, Tencer has had to recalibrate his way of scouting players, but says he's excited to see his hard work over the years come to fruition. He also gives his thoughts on 2020 WHL Bantam Draft picks Tanner Molendyk and Lukas Hansen, and gives his thoughts on the 2020 Bantam Draft's move to December. 

The clock continues to tick closer and closer to the start of the 2020-21 regular season, and teams are piecing together the details ahead of puck-drop on March 12. This week's episode brings two esteemed guests onto the podcast — one of which making his fourth appearance, and the other giving listeners a peak from 'behind enemy lines' for the first time. Tristen Robins, the Blades leading scorer from last season, recently returned from Arizona, where he made his AHL debut for the San Jose Barracuda. Robins chats with Mitch and Les about his two games with the Sharks affiliate squad, what training and practicing as a pro is like, and how he's keeping busy ahead of the 24-game season with Saskatoon. After checking in with Tristen, the guys welcome Regina Pats head coach and Blades alumni Dave Struch onto the cast. Struch played four seasons in Saskatoon from the late 80's into the early 90's, and went on to play more than a decade of professional hockey in numerous markets. After retiring in the mid-2000's, the Flon Flon, MB product joined the Blades coaching staff as an assistant to Lorne Molleken, which was the beginning of a seven-year tenure with his old team. Struch is currently preparing for his third season as the Regina Pats head coach, and is working hard to prepare for what the next two months entail. 

The countdown is on! The WHL received approval for the East Division to begin playing out of a Hub Center in Regina, bringing the five Saskatchewan-based teams and both Manitoba squads to the provincial capital. The 24-game regular season begins March 12, with rigorous quarantine and testing measures in place. Although a lot has yet to be decided on (game schedule, broadcast capabilities, roster announcements, etc), players and coaches throughout the prairies are thrilled to finally get back at it. This week's episode of Blades Uncut brings three esteemed guests onto the podcast. WHL Commissioner Ron Robison spares some time to chat all-things WHL, including the pending start-up of the Central Division, what players and coaches can expect in the 'hubble', and when we may have an announcement on the BC Division's potential start date. Blades captain Chase Wouters makes his return to the pod, expressing his excitement to close out his WHL the proper way (albeit under unusual circumstances). Finally, Blades associate coach Ryan Marsh makes his long-overdue debut on Uncut. Marsh, who's entering his third season on the Blades coaching staff, settles some so-called confusion spun from a story told by Wyatt McLeod on episode 26. Mitch and Les also dive into last week's and this week's trivia questions, and share some details of what listeners can expect on Blades Uncut in the coming weeks leading up to puck drop.

Wearing the Pacman for five seasons, and living out a legendary 15-year career in the NHL, Mike Green is hailed as one of the all-time greats in Saskatoon Blades history. The former captain has 267 WHL games under his belt to complement his 172 points, escalating immensely in his final year where he led all WHL defencemen in scoring with 66 points, and assists with 52. The Calgary, AB product battled through the trenches of a difficult 7-win campaign in 2003-04, and was part of the rebuilding squad which featured Lorne Molleken as head coach in 2004-05. The Washington Capitals noticed Green's knack for scoring and quick up-ice play in junior, selecting him 29th overall in the 2004 NHL Draft — the same draft which featured Alex Ovechkin taken with the number one pick. That was the beginning of a stellar professional career which stretched for one-and-a-half decades over three different organizations. He's a two-time finalist for the Norris Trophy for the NHL's best defenceman, and the only blue-liner to eclipse the 30-goal mark in a single season since the introduction of the salary cap. Following 10-years in the American capital, Green made the bold decision to sign as a free agent with Detroit in 2015, which gave him the opportunity to grow more as a leader. The 35-year-old announced his retirement in August of 2020 as a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings, intending to spend more time with his young family and direct his attention to other career opportunities in the future.  Mitch and Les were thrilled to welcome Green onto Blades Uncut for the first time. The three look back at his days playing in Saskatoon, his fondest memories as a junior hockey player, and his rise as one of the best NHL defenceman of the modern era.