Two days shy of the start of training camp, the Saskatoon Blades made a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

The Blue and Gold dealt 20-year-old left winger, and their leading point-getter each of the last two seasons, Kyle Crnkovic to the T-Birds for 19-year-old left winger Conner Roulette. The Blades also get a third round pick in the 2026 W-H-L Prospects Draft. The 5’7″, 157-pound Crnkovic notched 94 points, including 39 goals, this past campaign. Roulette is a Winnipeg product who had 24 goals amongst 66 points in 65 games this past season. He’s 6′ tall and weighs 177 pounds and was a fourth round pick in the 2021 N-H-L Draft by Dallas. Following is Les Lazaruk’s interview with Blades’ President and G-M Colin Priestner, plus the news release from the Bridge City Bunch…..

AUGUST 30, 2022

Blades Land Dallas Stars Prospect in Blockbuster Summer Deal

Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the acquisition of Dallas Stars prospect, forward Conner Roulette, from Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for overage forward, Kyle Crnkovic. The Blades will also receive a 3^rdround pick in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.

Roulette, originally from Winnipeg, MB, notched 66 points (24G-42A) in 65 contests for the Thunderbirds during the 2021-22 WHL season, while adding another 18 points (5G-13A) in 25 playoffs games helping Seattle win the Western Conference en route to the WHL Final.

“Conner is a player we have coveted for many years. He has incredible vision, a very high skill level and has performed extremely well at both the WHL Level and representing Canada on multiple occasions,” commented Blades President and General Manager Colin Priestner.

Roulette, who stands 6-foot-tall and weighs 177lbs, has represented Canada twice internationally, competing with both the U17 and U18 programs. In 2020-21, Conner helped Canada win a gold medal at the U18 World Championship, where he contributed five points in seven games.

“We feel he is going to be a big-time fan favourite with his style of play and his knack for highlight reel plays,” added Priestner. “Being only 19 years old means we have the chance to have him not only this season but possibly next. He will be a great ambassador for the Indigenous community in Saskatchewan and he has been recognized in Manitoba as the Indigenous Athlete of the Year. We can’t wait to welcome him to the Blades family this week at training camp”

Last season, Roulette was the 7^th highest scoring 2003-born forward in the WHL. The left winger was also named “Manitoba Aboriginal Sports Male Indigenous Athlete of the Year” in 2020.

The Saskatoon Blades also thank Kyle Crnkovic and his family for his contributions to our organization and the community of Saskatoon over the past four seasons.

“Kyle has been a fantastic Blade for four years and was a big part of the turnaround that we’ve enjoyed over the last 5 years,” expressed Priestner. “It’s never easy to make a deal like this, but this is a hockey trade and we’re excited to acquire a highly talented 19-year-old NHL-drafted player and simultaneously free up an overage 20-year-old spot for an additional upgrade. We wish Kyle success in Seattle and thank him for his years in a Blades uniform and we look forward to welcoming Conner Roulette and his to our team and helping him towards his goal of signing a contract with the NHL team that drafted him.”

Roulette is expected to join the Blades ahead of training camp which begins Thursday, September 1st, at SaskTel Centre.