Two former Saskatoon Blades are embarking on the next chapter of their lives with the University of Alberta Golden Bears this fall.
Last seasons top point-getter, Dawson Davidson, and forward Josh Paterson, who was traded to Portland to finish the year, join a record-breaking 14 WHL alumni on the Golden Bears roster per a release from the school’s athletic department.
In 301 Western Hockey League games, Davidson scored 37 goals and added 154 assists for 191 points. Last season — his first full one with Saskatoon — Davidson led the Blades in scoring as a defenseman with 13 goals and 62 assists for 75 points, nearly doubling his production from the year before.
“It’s not often a defenceman is the top scorer on their WHL team, but Dawson was for a very good Saskatoon team last season,” Golden Bears general manager Stan Marple said in the release.
“He has great offensive instincts, can influence the game at both ends of the ice, and will make an immediate impact for us next season.”
Paterson, meanwhile, played three full seasons for the blue and gold and, in his fourth season with the club, was traded to the Portland Winterhawks. In 273 career WHL games, the six-foot-two, 205-pound forward scored 84 goals and chipped in 76 assists for 160 points.
“We are thrilled to bring Josh into our program to continue his athletic and academics careers, even though he had one year of junior eligibility left,” Marple said.
“He is a great two-way centre with desirable size, that will provide goal scoring ability and defensive awareness.”
As per the WHL scholarship program, for each season a player spends with his club, a year of post-secondary schooling is covered.
The Canada West season in USports begins on September 27th. The Golden Bears and University of Saskatchewan Huskies meet for a rematch of the 2019 Canada West final for the first of five meetings on Saturday, September 14th, when the Huskies welcome the Bears to Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.
In other Blades alumni news, 20-year-old goaltender Dorrin Luding committed to playing for the Winkler Flyers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Luding went 9-5 for Saskatoon last season and compiled a 2.90 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.
