Blades netminder Gardner takes home team M-V-P honours

The Saskatoon Blades revealed all their team award winners at last night’s year-end barbeque for season ticket holders inside SaskTel Centre. The biggest award of the night was M-V-P, with goaltender Evan Gardner the recipient after posting a 23-14-4 record with a goals against average of 2.83 and a .911 save percentage, the ladder being fifth best in the Western Hockey League. Among other notable award winners was Cooper Williams taking home both Rookie of the Year and Forward of the Year after scoring 57 points in all 68 games this season. Williams’ 57 points was second best among W-H-L rookies, only three behind Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont. Hunter Laing was the recipient of the Fan Choice Award, finding his groove in the Bridge City after a deal with Prince George scoring 26 points in 28 games with the Blades, including 15 goals. Following is the news release from the Blades…

Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades held their annual year-end, Season Ticket Holder barbecue Tuesday, reflecting on a season that defied expectations outsiders set out at the start of the season. The club recognized the efforts of several Blades players from the 2024-25 season, unveiling individual team awards at the event.

Here are the winners of the 2024-25 Individual Team Awards

Most Improved Award (Ethan McCallum)

Hardest Worker Award (Rowan Calvert)

Most Gentlemanly Award (Hayden Harsanyi)

Bently Memorial Academic Award (Isaac Poll)

Community Minded Award (Ben Saunderson)

Unsung Hero Award (Jordan Martin)

Rookie of the Year Award (Cooper Williams)

Forward of the Year Award (Cooper Williams)

Tanner Molendyk Award (Ben Saunderson)