Brayden Klimpke named 65th captain in Saskatoon Blades history

One of the Saskatoon Blades’ brightest stars will wear the ‘C’ for the team in the 2026-27 WHL season.

The Blades announced defenceman Brayden Klimpke as Saskatoon’s 65th captain in franchise history on Thursday.

Klimpke, 18, is the Blades’ youngest captain since Aidan De La Gorgendiere took over ahead of the 2021-22 season.

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A fourth-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens this past summer, Klimpke has roared out of the gate this season, scoring three goals and adding five points last weekend to be named WHL Player of the Week.

Last season, the Calgary product broke out with 47 points in 68 games, leading all Saskatoon defencemen in scoring, and was named the team’s most valuable player at the end of the year.

“It’s a huge honour,” Klimpke said. “Look at the guys that have worn this jersey and this letter on their jersey. It’s a pretty special list and just to be able to throw on this jersey every day, I don’t take that for granted. Playing for the Blades means the world to me.”

The Blades selected Klimpke in the fourth round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, and he has become one of the team’s top blueliners in recent years, netting 11 goals and 81 points in 142 career WHL games.

He also took on a leadership role in his sophomore season last year, being named one of the team’s alternate captains.

Blades president and general manager Colin Priestner said Klimpke’s growth on and off the ice made him the right choice for captain.

“When we drafted Brayden, he was 5-foot-4 and 98 pounds, and it’s been incredible to watch his development and maturity over the last four years,” Priestner said.

“He has turned into one of the elite defencemen in the Canadian Hockey League, and he leads every day by example. Character and hard work are the pillars of everything he does.”

Forward Cooper Williams entered the WHL at the same time as Klimpke, both as inexperienced, soft-spoken prospects trying to find their footing at the junior level.

He said his teammate and fellow Calgarian has become a key leader on the team and someone who everyone in the locker room wants to follow.

“When we both came in, we were 16 and we were both pretty quiet,” Williams said.

“Ever since then, he’s (gotten) louder and louder the more comfortable he’s got. He’s an unreal leader, a guy that cares about everyone and he’ll help you with anything you need when you can talk to him. He’s perfect.”

Klimpke will follow former Blades captains Tyler Parr and Ben Saunderson, who were on hand Thursday to announce the news before practice.

“They’re two of my best friends,” Klimpke said. “Two guys I look up to a lot, so definitely cool to see them and have them announce it was special.”

The Blades also announced the rest of their leadership group for the 2026-27 season, naming forwards Hunter Laing, Kazden Mathies and Williams alternate captains.

“I learned a lot over my years here and I definitely think I’m a better leader this year,” Laing said. “Learned a lot last year and we got a lot of leaders on this team, so I’m looking forward to it.”

As for Mathies, he’ll wear a letter for the first time in his WHL career and will be a full-circle moment for the Martensville product who grew up cheering for the Blades.

He said it’s a dream to be part of the leadership group of his childhood team.

“If I got told when I was 13 that I was going to be an assistant captain on the Saskatoon Blades, I probably wouldn’t believe it,” Mathies said. “It’s a special opportunity for myself.”

Klimpke’s first game wearing the ‘C’ will come Friday night when the Blades (0-1-1-0) go for their first win of the season on the road against Prince Albert, before the team’s home opener at 7 p.m. on Saturday against the Raiders at SaskTel Centre.