Trio of Saskatoon Blades stars ready to hear their names called at 2026 NHL Draft

Through two Western Hockey League seasons, Saskatoon Blades forward Zach Olsen has garnered a reputation as one of the most hard-nosed wingers in the league.

With the countdown on before the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y., Olsen is being recognized across the hockey sphere as the most underrated prospect in this year’s draft, according to a poll conducted by The Athletic earlier this month.

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“It’s definitely super cool to see that,” Olsen said.

“Guys saying that I’m underrated and whatnot, it definitely means a lot to me. All my hard work that I’ve put into this, and knowing that people are seeing it, it’s definitely great to see.”

Olsen, Cooper Williams and Brayden Klimpke all expecting to hear their names called by NHL teams this weekend, which would make it the ninth consecutive year at least one Blades player has been picked in the draft.

With his sophomore season behind him, Olsen said his attention has shifted towards draft day after rising seven places in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings to 36th overall among North American skaters.

“Right now, I’m more so excited than I am nervous,” Olsen said.

“As a kid, you’ve been building up to draft day all your life. I know that I have done everything in my power to showcase the type of player I am. Now you just wait and hope that your name gets called.”

Olsen is projected to be the first Blades skater taken on Saturday, most likely in the second round, after he recorded 34 points in 57 games and another six points in Saskatoon’s run to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Sitting 14 spots behind Olsen in the NHL Central Scouting rankings is Williams, at 50th overall, making him a candidate to be taken in the late second or early third round.

Williams equalled his rookie-season numbers with 57 points, though he dropped eight places from the mid-season draft rankings.

A force for the blades late in their opening-round series against the Edmonton Oil Kings, he said NHL teams told him to bulk up ahead of his third WHL season with Saskatoon in the fall.

“The size and strength for me is the biggest one,” Williams said.

“Just keep working on that, and then keep working on my first three strides in my skating, just trying to get faster. My compete level, just trying to get that consistency to get it through my mind that every game is a Game 7.”

Klimpke, meanwhile, became a top-pairing defenceman for the Blades last season and grew into his role as alternate captain with 47 points in 68 games to lead all Saskatoon blueliners in scoring.

Ranked 74th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Klimpke will likely be a mid-round selection, something which he said would be a childhood dream come true.

“It hasn’t really sunk in,” Klimpke said.

“I’m sure when the day comes, it will be really cool. I’m just working as hard as I can so hopefully whatever team – if I’m lucky enough to get drafted – picks me, I can go in and make them happy.”

All three Blades will be watching the draft from their shared home town of Calgary, with the trio expected to spend some time together on Friday to view the opening round of picks.

“We’re going out for dinner Friday night, so we’re going to watch the first round together” Williams said. “Hopefully we see one of our names up there in the first round.”

Both Olsen and Williams are just a few weeks removed from the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo, where they were grilled by front offices and put through the ringer of fitness testing.

Early day jitters for Williams were quickly erased in his first of 11 meetings with the Edmonton Oilers, which he said surprised him as much as anyone.

That’s a pairing which he said his Calgary-based family would have to get used to, if Edmonton selects him in the draft.

“I talked to my grandpa before,” Williams said. “He said he would hate for me to be drafted by the Oilers, but in the end he said he would cheer for me.”

Olsen, who spoke with 23 teams leading up to the draft, said he was pressed on some unorthodox topics of automobile and animal similarities.

“For the car I said I’d be like a Ford truck,” Olsen said. “For the animal, I said that I was a dog.”

While both Williams and Klimpke have committed to return to Saskatoon next season, Olsen is still deciding between a third season with the Blades or a departure for Colorado College.

He said that decision will be made in consolation with his NHL club following the draft.

“I’m still trying to weigh both options and just see what happens,” Olsen said. “I haven’t confirmed a decision yet. I think I’m going to wait until after the draft and see what happens there, and then make my final decision.”

Olsen will kick off the day with a barbecue at his family home on Saturday morning, as he waits to hear his phone ring with a call he’s been waiting his whole life for.

“It’s not just me that’s been putting in all the work,” Olsen said. “It’s definitely been my family as well. It’s going to be super special to share this experience with all of them, just through all the support that they’ve shown me and the sacrifices they made.”

Williams meanwhile, is hoping to be a few bites into brunch when he gets the call from an NHL general manager.

“I think my mom is going to make a bunch of pancakes in the morning,” Williams said.

“Just being about to experience that, your whole family and all your buddies, it’ll be pretty cool. I’m glad I’m staying here for it.”

The trio has been joined at the hip since their first rookie camp together, sharing a passion for the Blades crest and a home town.

According to Klimpke, that close bond has been invaluable as they all navigate the biggest week of their hockey careers together.

“It’s pretty cool to go through this with two other guys who are two of my best friends,” Klimpke said.

“They both deserve this so much, they work so hard and they’re great players too. I can’t wait to see where they end up on draft day.”

Calgary on the clock

For all three Blades stars, the elephant in the room has been the Calgary Flames and their team-record number of picks.

Even after a blockbuster trade with the addition of defenceman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils, the Flames hold 10 draft picks, which is the most in franchise history.

Klimple grew up with his family holding Flames season tickets, and said wearing his hometown team’s jersey has crossed his mind.

“It would be cool, for sure,” Klimpke said. “Being from Calgary, you always dream of playing for the Flames. Whatever team, I don’t think it really matters to me. It’d be a dream come true to get drafted to any team.”

Seven of Calgary’s draft picks sit within the first 68 selections, which could open the door for one or more Blades teammates being drafted by the same team.

“It’s kind of surreal thinking about it when you were younger,” Williams said. “You watch them and it’s so far away, and now the draft is coming up. Being picked by them would be super special, just being from here.”

Olsen added he’ll be happy to join any team on Saturday, but admitted there’s something a little extra special if the flaming ‘C’ shows up next to his name.

“Growing up in Calgary, you kind of lean towards the Flames,” Olsen said. “I’ve been to lots of Flames games growing up and it definitely would be a huge honour if they ended up drafting me. Just being able to wear the Flame on my jersey and just represent Calgary that way, that definitely would be super cool.”