Blades Uncut

As the 5th overall selection in 1991, Warrener was one of the very first players to be chosen by the Blades — back when the Shaunavon, SK product (or the rest of bantam-aged players for that matter) didn't have a clue what it was exactly. He's the first to admit it wasn't a dream for him to play for his favourite junior hockey team growing up, or even reach the NHL, saying naiveness steered any self-influenced pressure away. This, in turn, helped develop one of the Blades' most well-known, talented defenceman from the early to mid-90's, piling up 197 games before venturing into a 13-year NHL career. Warrener made the move to Florida as a 19-year-old — a team bounded together with youth and grit — and helped the Panthers reach its first Stanley Cup Final in 1996. Several years later, Warrener was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he made his second Cup Finals appearance in 1999, eventually bowing down to the Dallas Stars. Warrener's third and final conference championship came in the wild west as a member of the Calgary Flames in 2004. Led by the likes of captain Jarome Iginla and goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary's magical run ended in Game 7 of the Final to Vincent Lecavalier and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mitch and Les take a walk down memory lane with Rhett, reliving the glory days of his junior hockey career, his transition into the NHL, notable moments from his three trips to the Finals, and the numerous community initiatives he's been a part of. Mitch and Les also touch on the latest news regarding an NHL start date, whether or not we'll see Kirby Dach lace up for Team Canada at the World Juniors, and make mention of a furry community event driven by the Blades organization.

Living in Kazakhstan, and suiting up as one of the top defenders in the KHL, former Saskatoon Blades assistant captain Darren Dietz has seen all parts of the hockey world over the last decade. Undrafted in bantam, Dietz fought through tooth and nail to earn a spot on the Blades roster in 2009, back when Lorne Molleken was calling the shots as head coach. Drafted in the 5th round by the Montreal Canadiens in 2011, Dietz used his intense work ethic and leadership traits to open more doors in his hockey career following junior. He made a quick transition to the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs, and finally made his NHL debut in 2016, playing 13 games with the Habs. The bulk of Dietz success in hockey wouldn't come on North American soil, however. The Medicine Hat product made the difficult decision to commit to Barys Astana in the KHL to start the 2017-18 campaign. The risk paid off in an astounding way. Dietz put together an all-star worthy season, named the KHL's top defenceman after leading all blue-liners in goals, assists, and points. Calling in from 12 time-zones away, Dietz discusses the finer details of his hockey career, and how he went from one of junior hockey's most promising young stars, to an international star in Kazakhstan. Plus, Mitch and Les chat about life away from the rink overseas, and how the current COVID crisis is being handled in Europe. Mitch and Les also discuss the latest in the local hockey world, one Blade who's stepping up in the CHL Memorial eCup, and take a final look at whatever's growing on Mitch's upper lip.

Known as one of the greatest leaders in Saskatoon Blades history, Warren Peters wore the Pacman logo for five seasons, scoring 218 points in 330 career WHL games. The Saskatoon product went on to play 11 seasons in the AHL, along with time spent with the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Pittsburgh Penguins organization. He retired following the 2014-15 season after capturing the Danish Championship with SonderjyskE, and has since settled down in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife and two kids. Mitch and Les chat with Warren about his playing days in his hometown, life as a professional hockey player, the former teammates he grew close with, and how life is treating him today. The guys also share the details behind opening a new storefront location in Midtown Plaza, give an update to the Hockey Harvest Lottery, and discuss Kirby Dach's immediate impact at Hockey Canada's World Junior Team Selection Camp.

A career Blade, turned into a grisly veteran of the NHL, Clarke Wilm combined his edgy playing style with finesse to chisel out a respectful hockey career that lasted more than three decades. Mitch and Les welcome Wilm onto the podcast to chat about his early days with the Saskatoon Blades, receiving the call from his favourite team, the Calgary Flames, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, and some of the fond memories he has from his professional career. The guys also welcome Blades director of business operations Tyler Wawryk onto the podcast to discuss the details of the Hockey Harvest Lottery, and touch on some recent news involving a current member of the team. Finally, Mitch and Les roundtable their picks to win The Masters, and where the future of the game of golf could be heading.

Former captain Wacey Rabbit is this week's guest on Blades Uncut, chatting everything from his time in Saskatoon, to becoming an ambassador for First Nations sports, and his roller-coaster professional career all over the world. Mitch and Les also discuss the latest in the NHL Playoffs involving Anton Khudobin of the Dallas Stars, announce a trivia contest winner, and tease a "special episode" of Blades Uncut which will launch in the coming weeks!