Blades Uncut

Known as one of the greatest leaders in Saskatoon Blades history, Warren Peters wore the Pacman logo for five seasons, scoring 218 points in 330 career WHL games. The Saskatoon product went on to play 11 seasons in the AHL, along with time spent with the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Pittsburgh Penguins organization. He retired following the 2014-15 season after capturing the Danish Championship with SonderjyskE, and has since settled down in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife and two kids. Mitch and Les chat with Warren about his playing days in his hometown, life as a professional hockey player, the former teammates he grew close with, and how life is treating him today. The guys also share the details behind opening a new storefront location in Midtown Plaza, give an update to the Hockey Harvest Lottery, and discuss Kirby Dach's immediate impact at Hockey Canada's World Junior Team Selection Camp.

A career Blade, turned into a grisly veteran of the NHL, Clarke Wilm combined his edgy playing style with finesse to chisel out a respectful hockey career that lasted more than three decades. Mitch and Les welcome Wilm onto the podcast to chat about his early days with the Saskatoon Blades, receiving the call from his favourite team, the Calgary Flames, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, and some of the fond memories he has from his professional career. The guys also welcome Blades director of business operations Tyler Wawryk onto the podcast to discuss the details of the Hockey Harvest Lottery, and touch on some recent news involving a current member of the team. Finally, Mitch and Les roundtable their picks to win The Masters, and where the future of the game of golf could be heading.

This week's episode features not one but two guests — Kirby Dach, who's being loaned by the Chicago Blackhawks to skate at Hockey Canada's Junior Team Selection Camp, and newly hired assistant coach Tyler Dietrich. Dach chats with Mitch and Les about his excitement in potentially playing in the World Juniors, off-season training, and the mini-competitions he has against his brother and current Blade Colton. After chatting with Kirby, the guys welcome Tyler onto the podcast and discuss his decision to move to Saskatoon, his four-year career with Hockey Canada, and his connection as both a player and coach with Blades bench-boss Mitch Love. Mitch also recaps last week's trivia question and poses a new question, giving listeners the chance to win a $25 gift card to The Frozen Pond. 

One of the greatest Blades of all time, if not the greatest, Wendel Clark jumps on in a special edition of Blades Uncut. Mitch and Les chat with the legend about his two seasons with the Blades, being the first overall selection in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, his long-standing career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and life since retiring in 2000. The guys also ask Clark about his gritty style of play in junior, and how he created a name for himself as a professional. Mitch and Les also present a new trivia question to listeners, and announce last week's trivia question winner. After touching on a few news items in the hockey world, the guys chit-chat about Halloween and discover Les's love for binge-watching TV shows.

Mitch and Les are back with another jam-packed episode of Blades Uncut, featuring former captain and member of the 500 PIM club Evan Fiala. The Clavet, SK product shares the details of the trade which brought him to Saskatoon after beginning his WHL career in Spokane, discusses some of his most memorable moments from his days wearing the Pacman, and how his hockey and education career has transformed at the University of Saskatchewan. The guys also speak with Blades director of business operations Tyler Wawryk on the likelihood of having fans in attendance once the WHL returns to play on January 8th, and potential seating plans which are currently being looked at. Mitch recaps last week's trivia question, and poses a new question, giving listeners a chance to snag a $25 gift card to The Frozen Pond. 

The WHL is forging ahead with a January 8th start date for the regular season! This news headlines a jam-packed episode of Blades Uncut, featuring all the details of the WHL's major announcement, along with an in-depth, exclusive interview with former Blade and now Vancouver Canuck Braden Holtby. Mitch and Les discuss the likelihood of having fans spectate the WHL's return to play, the changes the WHL is implementing for the season's start, and send out a "winner winner chicken dinner" birthday shoutout to a young fan. After announcing a trivia question winner, the guys bring Holtby on to discuss his new contract with the Canucks, some of his fondest memories over his 10-year NHL career in Washington, and what it was like to play for the Blades in the mid-to-late 2000's. 

After a busy two days of NHL Draft coverage, Mitch and Les return for a jam-packed episode featuring two guests. Moments after the San Jose Sharks drafted him 56th overall, Tristen Robins shares what receiving the call was like, and the family connection he has with the Sharks. After announcing last week's trivia question winner, former Blades assistant captain and Winnipeg Jets draftee Nelson Nogier chats with the guys. Mitch and Les also discuss the pending unrestricted free-agency scene, plans for the long weekend, and the chance of seeing Les create a new social media profile!

The guys are back with a special edition of Blades Uncut, featuring six different interviews and everything you need to know about the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, scheduled for October 6th and 7th. Rogers Sportsnet CHL analyst Sam Cosentino makes his Blades Uncut debut, dissecting the nitty-gritty of this year's draft, including which members of the Saskatoon Blades could hear their name called. The Blades have five players listed in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings, setting the stage for the five remaining interviews. Tristen Robins, ranked 86th, jumps on to discuss the attention he's received from various NHL teams and the likelihood of hearing his name called, plus defenceman Rhett Rhinehart (ranked 151st) and Aidan De La Gorgendiere (ranked 197th) chat about the popularity they've received among NHL brass and the roles they intend to take in the 2020-21 season with the Blades. Later on, speedy forward Kyle Crnkovic, listed 209th, chats about his off-season and whether he expects to be drafted by a team, and goaltender Koen MacInnes (ranked 22nd among N.A. goaltenders) chats about his offseason training regime and how last season prepared him for the workload next season may demand. Mitch and Les also recap last week's trivia question, complete with a new winner, and reveal a new question.

Former captain Wacey Rabbit is this week's guest on Blades Uncut, chatting everything from his time in Saskatoon, to becoming an ambassador for First Nations sports, and his roller-coaster professional career all over the world. Mitch and Les also discuss the latest in the NHL Playoffs involving Anton Khudobin of the Dallas Stars, announce a trivia contest winner, and tease a "special episode" of Blades Uncut which will launch in the coming weeks!

Tony Twist spent two seasons with the Saskatoon Blades in the 1980's, and used his tough-as-nails approach to not only bring energy to the game, but win the hearts of fans throughout Western Canada. The Prince George, BC native went on to have a lengthy NHL career, racking up over 1100 penalty minutes, and dropping the gloves routinely with guys like Bob Probert, Mike Peluso, and many more. Mitch and Les welcomed Twister on for a fun chat, reminiscing of his junior hockey days and some of the fond memories he has from his NHL career. The guys also recap a busy week in the local sports scene, along with the latest on Anton Khudobin's surging performance for the Dallas Stars. Plus, they put forth a new trivia question with a twist.