Growing up within the centre of the ‘C of Red’ in Calgary, Saskatoon Blades defenceman Brayden Klimpke spent a number of his childhood at Scotiabank Saddledome cheering on the Calgary Flames.
It’s an surroundings he seems again on fondly, as he now chases his personal hockey desires within the WHL.
“My household all the time had season tickets to the Flames video games rising up,” mentioned Klimpke. “My reminiscences there have been the playoffs, watching guys like [Johnny] Gaudreau and [Matthew] Tkachuk rising up.”
Klimpke is again in Saskatoon for his second full season taking part in with the Blades, taking cues from a few of his childhood idols in Calgary which have translated into his personal identification on the ice.
That identification is as a cell blueliner who has shortly change into considered one of Saskatoon’s most-relied-on skaters at each ends of the ice.
“My favorite participant was most likely Matthew Tkachuk when he was on the crew,” mentioned Klimpke. “I cherished the way in which he performed, he was gritty and obtained underneath guys’ pores and skin. Probably Mark Giordano was probably the most memorable [player]. A captain of the crew, regular defenceman, gained a Norris trophy, so a simple man to look as much as being in Calgary.”
Klimpke is coming off a 2024-25 season the place he emerged as a top-four defenceman for Saskatoon, netting three targets and 26 factors in 59 video games to complete third on the crew in factors from the blueline.
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He’s adopted that up with two factors in Saskatoon’s first 4 video games of the 2025-26 season, together with a memorable purpose on Sept. 20 within the crew’s house opener in opposition to the Prince Albert Raiders.
Caught out on a prolonged shift in additional time, the soon-to-be 18-year-old hopped on a Hayden Harsanyi rebound 1:25 into the additional body to safe Saskatoon’s first win of the WHL season by a 3-2 closing.
“To be trustworthy I used to be just a little gassed there, it was a protracted shift,” mentioned Klimpke. “Their man fell, I noticed a chance to seize the puck there. An odd-man rush, go to Harsanyi within the slot, he shot it and I simply tried to whack the rebound on internet.”
Klimpke’s jersey this season can also be encompasses a bit extra stitching than in years previous, as he was chosen as one of many Blades’ three alternate captains forward of puck drop on opening evening.
Blades head coach Dan DaSilva mentioned it was a nice shock to see the locker room choose the two-way defender as a part of their management group, particularly contemplating the remainder of the group are no less than 19 years of age.
According to Klimpke, it’s a nod which he isn’t taking calmly and goals to showcase his management talents over the course of the Blades’ season.
“I used to be simply honoured, to be utterly trustworthy with you,” mentioned Klimpke. “I didn’t actually anticipate it, so it was a pleasant shock and I used to be comfortable. It’s good to know that my teammates see me as that, it permits me to be extra vocal and assist these guys out.”
The Blades have cut up every of their first two weekends of the WHL season, rallying on the street in opposition to the Lethbridge Hurricanes final Friday 5-3 earlier than dropping a 4-1 resolution to the reigning WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday.
Even although the crew holds a .500 document to start the 12 months, Klimpke believes within the early returns in each work ethic and expertise the crew has showcased.
“The method the crew has purchased into Blades hockey this early has been noticeable for positive,” mentioned Klimpke.
“Obviously the sport versus Medicine Hat didn’t go our method, however I believed the final two durations we performed fairly good and purchased into how our crew needs to play. It’s been cool to see this early on.”
The Blades (2-2) are again at SaskTel Centre on Friday evening to battle the Red Deer Rebels (1-2) with a 7 p.m. puck drop.
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