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Blades Make Pair of Significant Trades on the Way to Edmonton

By Les Lazaruk Oct 10, 2023 | 2:22 PM

The Saskatoon Blades will meet up with at least one, and maybe both, of their newest team-mates Tuesday night in Edmonton.

One new player joining the Bridge City Bunch in time for Wednesday night’s contest with the Oil Kings is 19-year-old defenceman Grayden Siepmann, acquired from the Hitmen for 17-year-old Calgary product and blue-liner Fraser Leonard plus Spokane’s second round pick in the 2024 W-H-L Prospects Draft, a sixth-round choice in 2026 and a second-round selection in 2027. The other new player, who may or may not be available Wednesday, is 20-year-old winger Easton Armstrong. He’s the latest W-H-L Player-of-the-Week after scoring five goals amongst seven points in two games for Wenatchee. The Blue and Gold got the 6’3″, 204-pound Los Angeles native for a pair of draft picks, Brandon’s third round choice in 2025 from the Jayden Wiens trade and their own sixth round selection in 2027. Armstrong’s acquisition was made necessary when Jake Chiasson accepted a reassignment to the East Coast Hockey League. Armstrong coming to Saskatoon meant defenceman Spencer Shugrue was released so that the Blades have three, 20-year-olds. Before the trades, the Bridge City Bunch were elevated from ninth to sixth in the weekly C-H-L Top 10 rankings, right behind Moose Jaw. Following are the trade releases from the Blue and Gold…..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Oct. 10th: Blades acquire skilled 2004-born defenceman Siepmann from Hitmen

 

Saskatoon, SK –  The Saskatoon Blades are thrilled to announce the acquisition of 19-year-old defender Grayden Siepmann from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for 2006-born defender Fraser Leonard and three WHL Prospect Draft picks. The picks include a 2024 second-round pick previously acquired from the Spokane Chiefs, Saskatoon’s 2026 sixth-round selection, and their 2027 second.

 

Siepmann ranks fourth amongst all 2004-born WHL defenceman in scoring and is tied for third in goals. In 151 career games, the Abbotsford, BC product boasts an impressive 70 points (18G, 52A) along with 56 penalty minutes. The right-handed shot tucked home nine goals in both of his last two seasons, setting a career-high in points last year with 43 in 61 games.

 

“Grayden is a player we’ve coveted since the prospects draft,” said Blades General Manager Colin Priestner, “An established top four, right-shot defenceman like him was at the top of our list in terms of targets this year, so he’s a really important addition to our club,”

 

 
The 5-foot-11 blueliner’s offensive touch came through in his first taste of playoff action last spring, dishing two helpers in five games against the Red Deer Rebels. A veteran in league, Siepmann brings versatility and speed to an already deadly back-end for the Blue and Gold.

 

“We’ve built up excess draft picks with moves we had to make this summer, so to get a top-end, 19-year-old player like Grayden without using a first-rounder was a big win for us now and down the road towards the deadline when those picks are even more valuable.”

 

The Blades want to welcome Grayden to the organization and look forward to seeing him in a Blue and Gold jersey.

 

The 5-foot-11 blueliner is expected to join the Blades for their game tomorrow night in Edmonton against the Oil Kings. Puck drop is set for 7:00pm at Rogers Place.

 
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Oct. 10th: Blades beef up forward core, acquire 2003-born Armstrong from Wild

 

Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades made another trade Tuesday acquiring 2003-born forward Easton Armstrong from the Wenatchee Wild in exchange for two WHL Prospect Draft picks. The picks include the Brandon Wheat Kings third-rounder previously acquired in the Jayden Wiens trade, and Saskatoon’s 2027 sixth-round selection.

 

“Before I comment on Easton, adding him meant having to say goodbye to one of the most beloved Blades we’ve ever had in defenceman Spencer Shugrue,” said Blades General Manager Colin Priestner, “I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone else quite like him, and he will always be Mr. Game 7 to us and a local legend for his playoff performance last year. There are very few players in hockey that have gotten more out of themselves than he has, and despite his lack of size he never backed down once in his career from anyone. Having to move on from him due to only being allowed to keep three 20-year-olds is one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made, but we know Spencer is going to thrive wherever he lands and bring his unique blend of personality and incredible teamwork to another group of young players.”

 

It’s the second move of the day for Saskatoon who acquired defenceman Grayden Siepmann from the Calgary Hitmen earlier in the day.

 

The towering 6-foot-3 Armstrong is in his fourth and final WHL season, scoring 52 points (32G, 20A) across 152 career games. The 20-year-old winger began last year with the Regina Pats before going to the Winnipeg ICE putting together 31 points (19G, 12A) in 66 games, all career highs.

WILD FORWARD ARMSTRONG NAMED TEMPO WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023

Calgary, Alta. –  The Western Hockey League announced today Wenatchee Wild forward Easton Armstrong has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 8, 2023.

Armstrong, who attended Los Angeles Kings training camp as a free agent invitee this fall, recorded seven points, including five goals, in two games this week as the Wild went 2-1-0-0 on a B.C. Division road trip.

The 6-foot-3, 204-pound product of Los Angeles, Calif., registered two goals, including the game-winning tally, in a 6-3 win Saturday, October 7 at Prince George. He was named the game’s Second Star.

The 20-year-old right winger followed up Saturday’s effort with a five-point performance Sunday, October 8 at Kamloops, scoring the overtime-winning goal to complete the hat trick. Armstrong also collected two assists in Wenatchee’s come-from-behind victory and was named the Third Star of the contest.

Since returning from training camp with the Los Angeles Kings, Armstrong has secured nine points (6G-3A) in four games with the Wild. He is tied for second in scoring on the Club.

Originally selected by the Regina Pats in the 10th round (214th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Armstrong has accumulated 52 points (32G-20A) in 152 career WHL Regular Season outings.

CHL Top-10 Rankings: Portland ranks first, while Halifax climbs into the top-three

 
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced today the Week 2 edition of its CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2023-24 season.Following a pair of victories this week, the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) jumped up into the top spot. They are followed by the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), who moved up four spots into second, while the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) fell to third.

The Prince George Cougars of the WHL, who have scored a CHL-best 49 goals in eight games, enter the Top-10 for the first time in seventh. Not too far behind them, the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, who have won an OHL-best five games, also make their debut at No. 9 along with the North Bay Battalion of the OHL who round out the Top-10 in tenth.

The next rankings will be released the week of October 16, following the third week of regular season action in all three member leagues of the CHL.

CHL Top-10 Rankings – Week 2
1. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
2. Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
3. London Knights (OHL)
4. Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
5. Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
6. Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
7. Prince George Cougars (WHL)
8. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
9. Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
10. North Bay Battalion (OHL)