Saskatoon Blades enter 'new era' with major trade

The Saskatoon Blades have acquired two players and five draft picks from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk and shutdown forward Misha Volotovskii.

“This is one of the hardest deals we’ve ever had to make,” said Saskatoon Blades president and general manager Colin Priestner of the recent trade. “Not only did Tanner give us some of the best seasons ever played by a Blades defender, but he also almost single-handedly gives us an entire WHL Draft worth of picks back to build our future around, as well as two outstanding 17-year-old players.”

Molendyk’s career with the Blades finishes with 210 career games, 40 playoff games, and 134 points.

He will go down as one of the best skating defenseman to ever wear a Blades jersey, says Priestner.

“No player will be wearing the number 24 ever again for this club,” he said. “Tanner set the standard that all future Blades defensemen should aspire to both on and off the ice.”

In Volotovskii the Blades got four solid years of reliable hockey, often called on to fill necessary but unglamorous roles like penalty killing, shot blocking and defending leads.

“He’s out on the ice with two minutes to go every game that we’re leading by one,” said Priestner. “Whether it’s trying to win a draw or blocking shots or directing traffic, very smart defensive player. He always got matched against the number 1 or 2 centre on the other team, which is not a fun job.”

He leaves the Blades with 35 points.

“We want to thank Volo for his four years of service with us, and wish him all the best in Medicine Hat,” said Priestner.

Coming back to the Blades are 2007-born defender Jack Kachkowski and 2007-born forward Hayden Harsanyi.

“There was simply no way we would have traded Tanner without Hayden and Jack in the deal, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have them,” said Priestner. “Him and Jack were the key to the deal.”

Both new Blades additions joined the team in Red Deer as the Blades get ready for three games in four nights.

Harsanyi and Kachkowski could potentially dress for their first game on the road.