Blades make pair of trades sending Thurston to Vancouver, Budd to Brandon

A veteran defenceman with the Saskatoon Blades is headed home while he recovers from what the team calls a “long-term medical issue.”

On Wednesday, the Blades announced 20-year-old Derek Thurston has been traded to the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a conditional 2027 draft pick.

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Thurston was acquired last October by Saskatoon from Red Deer, with forward Kohen Lodge and a conditional 2028 fifth-round pick going the other way.

In a release, Blades president and general manager Colin Priestner confirmed the move allows Thurston to be closer to home and his family while he recovers.

“Derek went through an extremely difficult year with grace and positivity, and both parties felt it was better for him to continue his journey recovering in his hometown of Vancouver,” Priestner said.

“We sincerely hope he will get back to the ice soon where he belongs.”

The Delta, B.C. product only dressed in 12 games for the Blades in the 2025-26 season, before being sidelined in November with what the Western Hockey League’s weekly report described an “illness.”

Vancouver head coach and general manager Michael Dyck said Thurston will be a welcome addition, if and when he’s able to return to game action for the Giants.

“We are excited to add Derek to help bolster our defence,” Dyck said. “His presence and experience solidify not only our blueline, but our whole organization, and we’re looking forward to welcoming him back home to Delta.”

Thurston scored one goal and one assist during his brief tenure in Saskatoon. He has appeared in 131 career WHL between the Blades and Rebels, posting 10 goals and 26 points.

He was originally drafted by Red Deer in the sixth round, 112th overall, in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft while playing for the Delta Hockey Academy.

Blades move Budd to Brandon

In a separate move on Wednesday, the Blades traded 18-year-old goaltender Ryley Budd to the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a 2029 third-round pick and an eighth-round selection in 2027.

Budd was drafted 42nd overall by Saskatoon in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and made his WHL debut last season with a 4-4-1 record in 11 games as a backup to Evan Gardner.

According to Priestner, the addition of goaltender Martin Psohlavec in the CHL Import Draft factored into the decision to trade Budd.

Saskatoon Blades goaltender Ryley Budd appeared in 11 games last season for the team recording a 4-4-1 record with a 3.08 goals against average and a .888 save percentage. (Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Blades)

“With the signing of Martin Psohlavec and a deep bench at the goaltending position, we felt this was a good move to get Ryley to a spot where he can be a regular,” Priestner said.

“We thank Ryley for everything he did for our club and the communities of Saskatoon and Calgary through his Be a Budd program, and wish him nothing but the best.”

The Calgary, Alta. netminder recorded a 3.08 goals-against average and a .888 save percentage during his rookie season in the WHL with Saskatoon.