It was more a matter of when, not if, the Saskatoon Blades would sign their 2018 first round Bantam Draft pick.
That’s because the sixth overall selection from May 3 was forward Colton Dach…younger brother of Bridge City Bunch budding star Kirby Dach. “When” was Monday as the Blue and Gold announced Colton Dach’s signing.
“Obviously, there wasn’t much of a doubt that he was going to sign with us if we drafted him,” said Blades G-M Colin Priestner. “It was more of a formality, but it was still great to get pen to paper and get another top prospect signed.”
With the Blades holding their annual season-ticket holders barbecue on Wednesday, more top prospect signings are likely that day. Following is the news release from the Blades…
Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the signing of 2003 born forward, Colton Dach. The 15-year-old product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, was selected by the Blades 6th overall in the recent WHL Bantam Draft.
“Colton is an exciting player for us to add and we’re thrilled today for him and his family,” said Blades’ GM Colin Priestner. “I think our fans will enjoy his tenacious style of play and we’re very pleased to have him commit to our organization.”
Colton spent last season at OHA Edmonton of the Canadian Sport School Bantam Hockey League where he averaged over 2 points-per-game, finishing the season with 22 goals and 69 points in just 30 contests. He then added another 2 goals and 5 points in four playoff games before notching 5 goals in 5 games at the Alberta Cup tournament in April.
“Colton is a big, strong power forward whose game has grown and improved significantly and consistently over each of the last two seasons where we’ve watched him closely. He can play both center and wing, he shoots the puck really well, his play without the puck in all zones is a strength and he brings an imposing physical element each time he’s on the ice,” explained Blades’ Director of Scouting Dan Tencer. “He’s a versatile player who makes life tough on his opponents in a variety of ways and we think he is just scratching the surface of what he can become.”
Colton Dach comes to the Blades with some familiarity of the organization having watched his older brother Kirby play in Saskatoon for parts of the past two seasons. Kirby was selected 2nd overall by the Blades in the 2016 bantam draft.
“It’s very cool, it’s a dream come true,” said Colton after being drafted by the Blades on May 3rd. “Our whole family is really excited and Kirby and I are looking forward to the opportunity of playing together,” added Dach, who said because of the age difference he has never played alongside his older brother in any organized hockey. “We train together and play a lot of shinny together and we both love to compete. He’s (Kirby) very good; probably has a little more skill than me but I bring a little more grit to my game.”
As for the older Dach, Kirby says the competitive household has kept him on his toes growing up and he looks forward to continuing that in Saskatoon. “Colton has always been pushing me and I think I do the same for him, we’ve always been competitive with one another,” Kirby also added their difference in styles has helped them grow together. “He’s going to be an exceptional player, and even though he’s younger than me I pick up things from his game.”
After signing his WHL Standard Player Agreement, Colton packed up along with his older brother for a week of skills training in Florida.
