It was a dream come true for Brayden Lindsay of Tumbler Ridge, who was selected by the Saskatoon Blades in the eighth round, 162nd overall, during Thursday’s WHL Prospects Draft.
Lindsay, who played for the U15 Prep program at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in Victoria, told Vista Radio he takes pride in being from a rural area.
“It feels good. Not a lot of people from Tumbler (Ridge) have been selected for that kind of stuff and lots of people believe in me from there so it is awesome.”
Lindsay said it is going to be a busy summer as he looks to take the next step in his journey toward becoming a junior hockey player.
“Lots of training. Lots of explosive training, lots of strength training and trying to get on the ice as much as I can.”
Last season with Pacific Coast, he tallied 23 goals and 13 assists in the regular season followed by seven points in three playoff games.
As for who the 14-year-old tries to pattern his game after, it is none other than one of the more recognizable names on the Colorado Avalanche.
“I think I am a power forward. I love the puck along with my physicality. I think I look up to Nathan MacKinnon a lot.”
Going into his draft year, the Tumbler Ridge product admitted he spoke more with a couple of East Division rivals more so than Saskatoon leading up to the big day.
“It was a little up bit of a surprise because I was talking to Swift Current and Brandon a little bit.”
Lindsay was coached by former Prince George Cougars assistant Jason Becker, who played for the Blades from 1990-92 before finishing his WHL career with the Red Deer Rebels and Swift Current Broncos.
Last July, Becker was also named Saskatoon’s Canadian Sport School Hockey League scout and Player Development coach.
Lindsay is eyeing a spot on the U17 Prep squad for next season.
With the 162nd pick in the 2026 @TheWHL Prospects Draft, we’re happy to select forward Brayden Lindsay! pic.twitter.com/fmNo4jiI85
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 7, 2026
