SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — The Saskatoon Blazers, a Midget AAA ice hockey team that plays out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, is an active member of the Saskatchewan Male U18 ‘AAA’ Hockey League (formerly known as the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League). The League comprises 12 teams and is the highest level of minor province hockey in Canada. 

The Saskatoon Blazers play their home games at the Harold Latrace Arena. This indoor sports arena opened in 1991 and was the former home ground for the Junior “A” Saskatoon Titans from 1991 to 1993 before moving to Kindersley Klippers due to low attendance. 

The Blazers are one of the oldest members of the SMAAAH League. In the last 20 years, they have been one of the most consistent teams in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League, producing not only outstanding results in their games but also players that have gone professional in playing hockey. 

The Blazers recently had one of their best stats in the past 20 years in terms of results. They played 44 games in the 2019-20 season, winning 33 of their games, losing only nine, and had just two overtime losses. Eventually, they made the quarter-final and earned the top spot in the League. 

The previous season was only better in terms of postseason ranking. Although they played 44 games in 2018-19, they won 31 games, lost 10 games, and ranked third in the League. However, they were able to make the finals for the first time in over 20 years.

From the 2010-11 season, they have made the playoffs six times, made the quarter-finals four times, made it to the semifinal once and reached the finals once.

In terms of producing good hockey players, the Blazers are one of the few teams that give the game of hockey outstanding players, both in the past and present. In 2021 alone, seven players have been groomed in the Blazers hockey team and are now playing in various hockey clubs across Canada.

Currently, the team has 20 players: two goalkeepers, six defenders, and 12 forwards. The Blazers are all made up of Canadian nationals and are captained by Hudson Malinoski with Liam Rodman and Joshua Zakreski as assistants.

The quality of coaches that have led the Blazers over the years has played a significant role in producing the type of players they have on their team. However, the man that is at the helm of affairs now is Scott Scisson. He has a wealth of hockey experience from his playing days and now as a coach.

Former head coach Rich Pilon once said about his coaching role on the Blazers team, “Our job is to coach these kids and make them better hockey players and better individuals.”

The team has produced some notable professional hockey players. One of such players is Colby Joseph, born on Nov. 23, 1982, in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. He played for the Saskatoon Blazers during his early hockey days and went professional in 2001 when the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him in the first round in the 2001 National Hockey League Draft. After that, Armstrong went on to play professionally on five other teams in America and Europe.

Jarret Stoll is another notable Blazers player that is worthy of mention. He attended St. Joseph High School while playing for the Blazers. Stoll played 44 games, scored 45 goals, and provided 44 assists while playing for the Blazers in the 1997-98 season. He was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick by the Edmonton Ice in the 1997 Western Hockey League Batman Draft. From there, he moved on to play professionally for three other hockey clubs for a period spanning over 14 years. 

The Saskatoon Blazers have shown that they are one of the best places where prospective hockey players can build their careers. As more players join the team every season, we look forward to high-quality hockey games with excellent results in subsequent seasons.

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.