Morgan Tastad, the rising star of the Saskatoon Blades, initially put on his skates at the SaskTel Centre during the 2023 WHL playoffs. The promising youngster was a junior recruit from the Saskatoon U18 AAA Contacts. Yet, his association with the Saskatoon Blades traces back to his earlier days with the Blades’ erstwhile ‘Rink of Dreams’ program.
Tastad recalls, “We would compete against the senior team as young kids. That was my debut at the SaskTel Centre and my initial interaction with the Blades during practice sessions. I recently came across a picture of me skating at the SaskTel Centre.”
Tastad has evolved into an integral member of Saskatoon’s vibrant defense lineup, securing a position among the top four in his second full WHL season. Following his stint as a substitute option during the Blades’ journey to the Eastern Conference Final last season, Tastad stepped up to fill the void left by the former alternate captain Tanner Molendyk, who transferred to the Medicine Hat Tigers before the trade deadline.
Now paired with veteran Grayden Siepmann, Tastad has made significant strides in his career, scoring seven points in 52 games, a personal best in both areas. Tastad highlights the growth, saying, “We had a group of skilled players last year, so securing and retaining a spot in the lineup was challenging. This year, we have a bunch of talented young players, which makes it equally tough to stay in the lineup. It pushes me to stay at the top and perform well every night.”
Recently, 19-year-old Tastad has been actively engaging with the Saskatoon community. He participates in school visits, youth practices and serves as a team ambassador for the non-profit ‘Hockey Gives Blood.’ Tastad shared, “I was quite close to Charlie Wright last year. Since he left, our team needed an ambassador, so he recommended me. They contacted me this summer, and I was eager to contribute wherever possible.”
With 15 playoff games already under his belt, Tastad is focused on helping the Blades return to the playoffs in their remaining regular-season games. They are not only aiming to secure a playoff spot but also to overtake the Prince Albert Raiders for the East Division title, with just four points separating the two rivals.
Tastad said, “We have a crucial 12 games coming up, which will pass by swiftly. We need to perform consistently and grab every opportunity to score two points.”
The Blades are scheduled to face the Warriors in Moose Jaw on Saturday night before returning to SaskTel Centre on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. to take on the Edmonton Oil Kings.
