The Saskatoon Blades have signed the first defenceman from their 2019 Bantam Draft class to a standard W-H-L education contract.
Ben Saunderson was a fifth round choice by the Bridge City Bunch this past May. The Carberry, Manitoba, product has 17 assists amongst 18 points in 27 games with Yellowhead of the Manitoba Midget Triple-A League. He joins forwards Brandon Lisowsky and Hayden Smith plus goaltenders Ethan Chadwick and Austin Elliott as 2004-born prospects signed by the Blue and Gold. Following is the news release from the Blades…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the signing of 2004 born defenceman Ben Saunderson to a Western Hockey League standard player agreement. Saunderson, a product of Carberry, Manitoba, was selected 89th overall by the Blades at the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.
Thus far this season with the Yellowhead Chiefs of the Manitoba AAA U18 Hockey League, Saunderson has recorded one goal and 17 assists for 18 points in 27 games played. Last season, Saunderson appeared in 35 regular season games with the Yellowhead Chiefs of the Winnipeg Bantam AAA Hockey League, scoring 7 goals and 35 points. He added a further three assists from four playoff appearances with the Chiefs.
“Ben is a defender with excellent mobility and puck skills who also plays with a fierce competitive edge,” stated Blades’ director of scouting Dan Tencer. “He plays the game with a high pace, can contribute offensively in all situations and doesn’t back down from a battle.”
“Following an excellent first training camp with us, Ben has had a great first half of this season in Midget AAA, where he has posted strong offensive numbers and improved the defensive details of his game,” continued Tencer. “We’re very pleased to welcome Ben and his family to the Saskatoon Blades and look forward to being a part of his very bright future.”
Ben Saunderson becomes the first defenceman and fifth player from the Blades’ 2019 draft class to sign a contract (Lisowsky, Smith, Chadwick & Elliott). The left-shooting blueliner turns 16-years-old next September.
