Blades rookie Kain Martinuik eager to represent Canada at U17 World Challenge

Saskatoon Blades rookie forward Kain Martinuik is counting down the days until he gets to pull on a red and white jersey in Oakville, Ont.

Martinuik will make his international debut for Team Canada White at the 2026 U17 World Challenge, as one of 17 Western Hockey League players named to the tournament by Hockey Canada this week.

Read more:

• Saskatoon’s McQueen makes emotional NHL debut with Ducks
• Huskies striker Tao Hein approaching record in sophomore season
• Warm October weather means one more day of golf at two Saskatoon courses

“It’s an honour any time you get to put on that maple leaf,” Martinuik said. “Super excited to go to Oakville at the end of the month, so I think it should be a good opportunity.”

The Peachland, B.C. player cracked the Canada White roster after he impressed at national U17 development camp in July, with seven WHL games under his belt.

Blades head coach Dan DaSilva, who will coach Team Canada Red at the tournament, said it’s a well-deserved nod for one of Saskatoon’s most highly-touted prospects.

“I saw him at the summer camp when we were there together,” DaSilva said. “Just how hard he was playing and how bad he clearly wanted to make that team, I’m very happy for him.”

Drafted 15th overall by the Blades in 2025, Martinuik starred last season south of the border with Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U AAA team, where he put up 29 goals and 62 points in 51 games.

This past week, the 16-year-old Martinuik achieved a few career milestones, including his first WHL goal in a 7-4 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors last Friday.

In the stands to watch his third-period goal at SaskTel Centre were his parents, as well as his grandfather Theodore ‘Ted’ Martinuik.

“He’s meant a lot,” Martinuik said. “He’s been in and out of hospital my whole life. He’s really tough, and he’s my idol, right? I try to play for him all the time, so it was special to score with him there.”

One night later, during a 5-2 victory over Regina, Martinuik dropped the gloves against Pats forward Connor Bear for his first WHL regular-season fight.

Saskatoon Blades forward Kain Martinuik (right) dropped the gloves with Regina Pats forward Connor Bear in his first WHL regular-season fight on Oct. 10, 2026. (Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Blades)

“There was a hit earlier in the game on Isaac Poll,” Martinuik said. “Coming down to the last minute of the game, there I figured, why not?”

Martinuik admitted he was a unprepared to see Bear throwing punches with his left hand, but said it was important for him to stick up for his teammates.

That type of mindset has been noticeable early in the rookie’s career, according to DaSilva.

“He’s a Blade for sure,” DaSilva said.

“You think about a guy who shows up every day, works hard and is competitive day in and day out in practice and in games. That’s what Kain brings to the table. He’s only 16, but he’s a leader that way for us and what we want in terms of effort every day.”

Martinuik said the experience he’s gained over the past month will serve him well when he travels east to suit up alongside some of the best U17 players in the world.

“I think it’s a good step in my game,” Martinuik said.

“I’ve been playing against older and stronger kids. I think it’ll be very helpful.”

Martinuik will be joined on Team Canada White by Maddox Schultz and Logan Henry from the Pats, Moose Jaw goaltender Dylan Mingo and Milestone, Sask. product Riley Brown, who plays for the Wenatchee Wild.

As for DaSilva, he’ll coach a Canada Red team which features Pats star Liam Pue and Athens Shingoose from the Prince Albert Raiders.

DaSilva said it will feel different being on the opposite side of the ice from Martinuik when the tournament opens on Nov. 1, but said he’s excited to see a big piece of the Blades’ future getting the opportunity to suit up for Team Canada.

“We’re going to be on different sides of it, so it will be kind of weird coaching against him in that tournament,” DaSilva said. “He’s gotten better every game here with us this year, and I see it continuing that way.”

The Blades outscored their opponents by a 12-6 margin last weekend. They’ll visit the Swift Current Broncos on Friday night and play host to the Warriors on Saturday.

Hayden Harsanyi helped drive that offensive production, with two goals and two assists over the weekend. He said the Blades forward core has done a good job at scoring throughout the lineup.

“This year we don’t really per se have as much of a shutdown line,” Harsanyi said.

“All four lines can go go go offensively. I think that’s a big difference this year, and what’s helping our offensive success, but I think we still have room to improve in the (defensive) zone.”

Saskatoon has a chance to overtake Swift Current for second place in the East Division with a win, while the Broncos are back on home ice after a 3-3 road trip through the B.C. Division.

“I’m sure they’ll be excited to play in front of their fans and be back at home,” DaSilva said.

“We know that they’re a really hardworking team, a gritty team. It will be a challenge for us (Friday) night going into that rink, for sure.”

DaSilva confirmed defenceman Kaden Allan is unlikely to make his season debut this weekend after he returned to the team last week from an absence due to a “personal matter,” while the Blades assigned forward Jaggar John to the Warman Wolverines of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League on Thursday.

The Blades and Broncos hit the ice at 7 p.m. on Friday in Swift Current, before Saskatoon returns home to SaskTel Centre on Saturday for a 7 p.m. puck drop against Moose Jaw.