Huskie Men's Hockey Signs Former Saskatoon Blades Captain Ben Saunderson

SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan Huskie Men's Hockey team and head coach Brandin Cote announced today the signing of former WHL defenceman and Saskatoon Blades captain Ben Saunderson. 

"Ben is a proven leader and consummate teammate with a winning pedigree," said Cote. "A complete defenseman, he plays with poise and a competitive edge. We're excited to welcome Ben to the Huskie Men's Hockey family."

"I'm super excited [to be joining the Huskies], I've been in Saskatoon for five years now with the Blades and it feels like a second home to me," said Saunderson. "The Huskies are just a first-class organization and I'm super proud to be a part of it. I've heard nothing but good things about the schooling side and the organization, their winning history, and obviously a really good year last year made it hard to leave the city."

A 6-foot-1 blueliner from Carberry, Manitoba, Saunderson joins the Huskies following a five-year career with the WHL's Saskatoon Blades in which he appeared in 259 career regular season games and recorded 87 points (10 goals, 77 assists).

The 20-year-old's best season came just last year, when Saunderson was named team captain before recording a career-high 36 points in 67 games. He was also +15 on the season, bringing his career +/- to an impressive +57. 

Following the end of the season, the stay-at-home defenceman was named the 2024-25 recipient of the Blades' Tanner Molendyk Award for Defenceman of the Year. He also took home the team's Community Minded Award for outstanding contributions to the community and fans. 

A seasoned veteran of the WHL, Saunderson also brings over 30 games of postseason experience to the Huskies having appeared in the playoffs in each of the past four seasons with the Blades, including two consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Championship Series in 2022-23 and 2023-24. 

Saunderson is also set to become the 5th former Blade to suit up in green & white, joining current student-athletes Josh Pillar and Rhett Rhinehart as well as fellow incoming recruits Connor Roulette and Nicholas Andrusiak. 

Catch every game as the Huskie Men's Hockey team looks to defend their 2025 Canada West title with season tickets, available now at huskietickets.com.