Saskatoon Blades
201-3515 Thatcher Avenue
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
306-975-8844
Official Saskatoon Blades Site
Losses to:
Overage: David Cameron, Justin Wallin, Chris Manchakowski.
Expansion Draft: Jeff Coulter.
Goal: Michael Garnett '82, Tony Kolewaski '82.
Garnett will carry the load next season, and as with many other teams the Blads will groom a youngster behind him. Garnett is excellent and the Blades will be solid in net.
Defence: Kane Ludwar '81 (?), Scott Balan '82, Ryan Stempfle '82, Matt Suderman '83, Jason Goulet '83, Rob Woods '84.
The Blades' defence should be okay, although some experience would be helpful. Ludwar, Balan and Stempfle are a solid top 3, but Suderman will need to improve as will Woods after solid rookie seasons.
Forwards: Derek Halldorson '81 (?) Garret Bembridge '81 (?), Ryan Kehrig '81 (?), Justin Kelly '81 (?), Warren Peters '82, Martin Vymazal '83, David Heintz '83, Trent Adamus '83, Justin Kanigan '83, Aaron Starr '83, Adrian Foster '82.
With Bembridge possibly returning, Kehrig looks like the odd man for overage players. If Foster is healthy he should contribute, but depth up front will be a problem for the Blades. Once you get past Bembridge, Kelly and Peters, offence is hard to come by. And if Bembridge doesn't return, Garnett will be the difference in whether the Blades win or lose most nights.
Europeans: A pure goal scorer who can come in right away and produce.
Overagers: If Bembridge doesn't come back, and upgrade on Kehrig will be needed. If he does return, Ludwar, Bembridge and Kelly are likely as good as it's going to get for Saskatoon.
About Saskatoon
Location
Saskatoon is centrally located in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, in townships 36 and 37, range 5 and township 36, range 6, west of the third meridian. The city lies 780 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, a little over 520 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, and just over 300 kilometres north of the U.S. border.
Saskatoon is situated on the banks of the south Saskatchewan river which is crossed by seven bridges within the city limits. the altitude of Saskatoon is 481.5 meters above sea level. The city covers an area of 144 sq. kilometres which includes over 120 hectares of riverbank parklands.
Environment
Saskatoon is one of the sunniest cities in Canada, receiving an average of 2,381 hours annually. Saskatoon experiences four distinct seasons with temperatures ranging from 30°c (86f) on the warmest summer days to -30°c (-22f) on the coldest winter days. The average annual precipitation level is 347.2mm.
Saskatoon was rated the number one city in Canada for air and water quality by Chatelaine magazine.
Time Zone
Saskatoon uses the Central Standard Time zone year round.
Economy
Saskatchewan grows half of the entire quantity of Canada’s major export crops: wheat, oats, barley, rye, flaxseed and canola. Saskatoon is at the heart of this market, providing a variety of services and products to the farm sector. Mining is also an important part of the economy. The Saskatoon region is the world's largest exporter of uranium, and nearly two-thirds of the world's recoverable potash reserves are located in the Saskatoon region.
Value added food processing is one of the fastest growing industries in Saskatoon, which is considered the agriculture biotechnology capital of Canada. Saskatoon was named "one of the best cities in Canada for knowledge based businesses" by the Globe and Mail in 1995.
Population
Saskatoon is Saskatchewan’s largest city with a population of 209,000 and growing. By 2001, the city’s population is projected to be 215,500.
History
The Saskatoon area has been inhabited for some 6,000 years; however, it was not until the summer of 1883 that the first settlers began to arrive and subsequently in 1903 that the town charter was obtained. "Saskatoon" is derived from 'mis-sask-quah-toomina', the Cree Indian name for a local indigenous berry.
Education
With access to excellent k-12 schools, technical schools and the University of Saskatchewan, many educational opportunities are available.
The University of Saskatchewan is the only university in Canada to house all five health science colleges and a major teaching hospital on the same campus. Some of the first experiments undertaken aboard the space shuttle were a result of research conducted at the University of Saskatchewan. Innovation Place, located on the university grounds, is one of the most successful university related research parks in North America.
Attractions and Events
Saskatoon is a four season destination with much to offer visitors. History comes alive at many exceptional museums such as the Western Development Museum and its popular Mainstreet Boomtown 1910. Six thousand years of habitation can be explored at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.