The 2020-2021 Western Hockey League (WHL) season brought with it unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing global pandemic. For the Saskatoon Blades, this meant adapting to a significantly shortened and more restrictive training camp. Despite the hurdles, the team’s commitment to excellence remained unwavering. This article delves into the Blades’ preparation for their unique training camp, their approach to maintaining player readiness, and the strategies employed to ensure the team’s success in the WHL bubble.
Adapting to a Compressed Training Camp
Typically, a WHL training camp spans three to four weeks and accommodates a roster of over 50 players. However, the 2020-2021 season saw significant changes due to COVID-19 protocols. Training camps were compressed into a much shorter window, leaving the Blades with limited time to prepare for the season ahead.
A Hub Center in Regina: The New Normal
The WHL’s East Division, consisting of seven teams, was based in a Hub Center in Regina, Saskatchewan. This was a departure from the traditional home-and-away format, as all teams were required to isolate and play in a controlled environment. As a result, the Saskatoon Blades, along with other teams, had to conduct their training camps in the same location.
Due to mandatory quarantine protocols for all team personnel, the training camp did not commence until a week or so before the season opener. This condensed timeline created an entirely new set of challenges for coaches and players alike.
The Challenge of Balancing Intensity and Recovery
With a shorter training camp and no preseason games, every practice session held greater importance. Blades head coach Mitch Love recognized the challenge of balancing player development with the need for rest and recovery after an extended off-season.
Focus on Development Amidst Limited Time
Coach Love emphasized the importance of maximizing each practice, workout, and film session to instill the necessary habits for the upcoming season. “How do you find that balance between finding your players’ rest and recovery after such a long period of time off but also instilling your habits and your teaching and your development plan for a young hockey player?” Love questioned, acknowledging the complexities of the situation.
Staying Ready Despite the Absence of Preseason Games
While the players had been separated for much of the previous year, they remained dedicated to their training, striving to be in peak condition for the shortened camp. Blades captain Chase Wouters echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of the right mindset: “If we can go out there with the right mindset and the right preparation, we’ll be able to get work done that day. It won’t just be a flow through the practice. It’ll be intense, and it’ll be getting us ready for the games because that’s the main goal here.”
A Shift in Roster Strategy: Fewer Prospects, More Focus
The abbreviated camp and limited time in the Hub Center meant that the usual influx of young prospects would not be participating. This departure from the norm reflected the team’s need to streamline their preparations and avoid overloading the camp with too many players.
Prioritizing Roster Players
Blades president and general manager Colin Priestner acknowledged that only players projected to be on the roster would be invited to the camp. “We want to make sure that we don’t bring in too many guys because I don’t want to be in a situation where we’re scratching guys for days at a time,” Priestner explained. “But we also need to know that if we get a couple of injuries, we don’t have the ability to call in a lot of affiliate players or anything because it’s a bubble environment.”
The decision to limit the camp roster allowed the Blades to focus their efforts on building chemistry and refining strategies with their core players. In a year where every detail mattered, this focused approach was crucial.
Preparing for the Uncertainty of the WHL Bubble
One of the most significant adjustments for the Saskatoon Blades was the shift to the WHL bubble. The Hub Center, located in Regina, was a self-contained environment that restricted player movement and minimized contact with the outside world. This change forced the team to operate in a highly controlled setting, with strict protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of all participants.
Managing the Mental and Physical Demands of the Bubble
The bubble environment posed challenges beyond physical readiness. Mental preparation became just as vital as physical conditioning. The players had to adapt to the isolation, limited social interactions, and intense focus required to succeed within the bubble. The Blades knew that success would depend on their ability to maintain a disciplined and resilient mindset.
Looking Ahead: The Blades’ Goals for the Season
Despite the unprecedented challenges, the Blades remained focused on their primary goal: to put the best team possible on the ice. The team’s commitment to excellence, even in a shortened and unorthodox season, was evident in every facet of their preparation.
Embracing the Intensity of the Season
Captain Chase Wouters summed up the team’s approach perfectly: “This will be an awesome time to get better. It’ll be fun, but it’ll be very serious and very intense. That’ll be our mindset going in.” With the right mindset and the right preparation, the Blades were ready to take on the challenges of the WHL bubble and make the most of the season.
Conclusion:
The Saskatoon Blades’ ability to adapt to a compressed training camp, limited roster, and strict bubble environment demonstrated their resilience and commitment to success. While the 2020-2021 WHL season presented unprecedented challenges, the Blades proved that with the right preparation, focus, and mindset, they could thrive in even the most restrictive circumstances.
As the season unfolded, the Blades showed that no matter the obstacles, their dedication to the game and their pursuit of excellence would remain unshaken. Their approach serves as a testament to the power of adaptability and determination, and their success in the WHL bubble would undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to overcoming adversity.