Coming into the 2025-26 season, the Saskatoon Blades had a dilemma on their hands. Their two best defencemen, Ben Saunderson and Grayden Siepmann, were graduating from the Western Hockey League (WHL), and most of the remaining corps were 2007-born players or younger. Yet general manager Colin Priestner was confident in his young group and fully believed that their window to compete for a championship was much closer than previously expected.
A big reason for that confidence came from Brayden Klimpke. After a strong rookie season in which he put up 26 points in 59 games, the Blades’ sophomore was given the top spot on Saskatoon’s blueline, and he did not disappoint. Despite being on the smaller side at 6-foot-0 and 168 pounds, he played all 68 games and recorded 46 points, making him the 19th-highest-scoring defender in the league. His performance made him an intriguing option for the 2026 NHL Draft, with Dobber Prospects listing him just outside their Top 32 in December, and Central Scouting ranking him 74th among North American skaters on their final list.
With the draft less than a month away, I spoke with Klimpke about his thoughts ahead of the 2026 Draft, his role models, and what will make him a potential hidden gem for an NHL team in June.
What do you hope that NHL scouts have taken away from watching you in the regular season and in the playoffs?
“I think just building my defensive game. I think that was a little bit of a question mark surroudning me coming into the year. Last year, I didn’t have those first-line matchups, but this year, I took a step in that sense and I worked really hard to be better defensively this year, so I hope that got noticed.”
How would you describe your role to a future NHL team? What will you tell them when you’re asked, “Why should we draft you?”
“A two-way puck-moving defenceman who makes a good first pass. I can play in all situations, I can provide offence off the rush and from the blue line, and then defend well with a good stick and my skating abilities.”
What does it mean to be ranked among the top 75 skaters on the Central Scouting list?
“It’s an honour. I’ve been working towards this my whole life, and hearing my name called at the Draft would be a dream come true. Hopefully, the hard work pays off, and I keep getting better.”
Do you pay attention to those conversations ahead of the draft, or is it completely off your radar?
“No, you obviously see that stuff, but I try not to look into it too much and try not to let it get in my head. But, I mean, you see it, so it’s kind of hard not to with all the social media stuff nowadays.
You’ve mentioned that one of your favourite players was Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano. Do you try to model your game after him? Do you have any other role models?
“Yeah, I mean, obviously he was a really good leader, really good two-way defenceman, won a Norris Trophy, so he’s a guy I loved to watch growing up. Now I think it’s more like a Josh Morrissey kind of guy for me. I think we have similar skill sets, and I like to see how he’s become so successful.”
Although Morrissey was ranked 27th in his draft year, he and Klimpke had similar beginnings to their careers: both defencemen grew up in Calgary, Alberta, moved east to play junior hockey in Saskatchewan, had similar scoring paces as WHL rookies, and were separated by just one point in their draft seasons. Scouting reports in 2013 mentioned that Morrissey was a “…solid puck distributor with good vision of the ice and can run a power play,” as well as mentioning he was a bit undersized at 6-foot-0 and 183 pounds. After being selected 13th overall, Morrissey put up 73 points in 59 games for the Prince Albert Raiders. Could the Blades expect a similar breakout from Klimpke in 2026-27?
What is your greatest achievement in hockey so far?
“I’d probably say playing my first WHL game. I was the first person in my family to play this high-level hockey, and I used to think the WHL was like the NHL growing up, so it was really cool. It was a dream come true.”
You committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2027-28 season. What do you hope the NCAA route will improve about your game?
Just the opportunity to get stronger. In the WHL, you’re playing three times a week, pretty much, so it’s hard to get in the gym as much. But, with the lighter schedule in college, there will be lots of time for me to get in the gym and I do need to get stronger and put on some weight.
Although he initially committed to North Dakota for the 2026-27 season, both Klimpke and teammate Cooper Williams decided to stick with the Blades for one more year, citing unfinished business as their primary motivator. Saskatoon outperformed expectations two seasons in a row, and there’s a real hope in the dressing room that they could do it again next season if they can keep the majority of their core together. That will put a big spotlight on Klimpke, who took over the Blades’ blue line as a sophomore, but he’s shown he’s ready for the pressure.
How would you describe the kind of person you are? How do you want to be remembered?
“Just a respectful, outgoing guy. I love being at the rink, I love being with my teammates and in the room with the boys, and that’s pretty much it.”
The NHL Draft will take place on June 26 and 27 at the KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, and Klimpke, Williams, and Zach Olsen will represent the Blades on the draft floor.
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