The 2025-26 opening night roster for the Saskatoon Blades includes a piece of small-town Saskatchewan, Flaxcombe native Triston Mitchell-McElhone cracking the Blades after making his debut last season and playing four games this pre-season.
The freshly turned 17-year-old was drafted by the Blades in the 11th round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and has spent the past two seasons playing U18 AAA with the Swift Current Legionnaires. Growing into his hulking frame over that time, Mitchell-McElhone put up 52 points (23 goals, 29 assists) and 111 PIM in 70 career AAA games.
Success at AAA earned Mitchell-McElhone a two-game look with the Blades last season, a trial where he scored his first career WHL goal against Brandon:
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Mitchell-McElhone officially signed with the Blades just over a year ago after his first full season in AAA. The rookie's official roster spot comes after making a good impression on the big club during last year's training camp, Blades Director of Scouting Dan Tencer calling him, "a complete combination of size, power, and intelligence" capable of playing any of the forward positions.
Mitchell-McElhone was one of seven rookies named to the Blades opening night roster, ahead of this weekend's season opening home-and-home against the Prince Albert Raiders starting Friday night in Prince Albert.