Since being selected as the ninth overall pick by the Saskatoon Blades in 2019, Brandon Lisowsky has consistently delivered impressive goals for the team. However, a new chapter is beginning with Blades’ president and general manager, Colin Priestner, initiating a trade that sends Lisowsky to the west coast, despite Saskatoon being in the top position in the East Division.

Priestner acknowledges the unusualness of trading a top-performing player while leading the league. The decision, he says, was not taken lightly. The trade will see Lisowsky and a 2028 fifth-round pick move to the Victoria Royals, while overage forward Tanner Scott and second-round picks in 2025 and 2028 will join the Blades.

Despite a successful start to the season, Priestner believes this move was necessary. The Blades were lacking in draft picks until the fourth round this year and had no picks in the year after until the eighth round. This strategy, he believes, is unsustainable in the long run.

The possibility of trading Lisowsky in the middle of the season had been discussed in the fall and revisited during the holiday break. This move follows a recent trade by the Blades, where centre Lukas Hansen was swapped for prospect forward Adam Halat with the Calgary Hitmen.

Lisowsky leaves a significant mark on Blades history, scoring 143 career goals in 256 regular season games, placing him fifth in franchise goal scoring. Despite being one of the smallest players on the ice, he demonstrated exceptional skill and determination.

The Blades are also considering another significant trade involving star defenceman Tanner Molendyk, who is currently in Ottawa with Canada’s World Junior team. According to Priestner, this is a possibility they are actively exploring in the coming days.

Priestner emphasizes the importance of rejuvenating the team with younger talent to avoid a repeat of a five-year stretch without making it to the post-season. The WHL trade deadline is scheduled for January 9, and the Blades will play their first game without Lisowsky on Friday, hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings at 7:00 p.m, with Scott making his Saskatoon debut.