PROMOTION
Longtime Saskatoon Blades trainer Steve ‘Hilty’ Hildebrand has been named the team’s assistant GM.
Steve Hildebrand was asked if he believed Saskatoon Blades head coach and general manager Bob Woods promoted him to assistant general manager, in part, because he referred Woods for his new job.
The longtime Blades athletic therapist chuckled before answering.
“We just talked to make sure everything fit together before that happened,” he said, adding, “Obviously Bob’s hire is helpful.”
After 13 seasons with the Blades — spread over two terms — Hildebrand moved into his new role Thursday as he agreed to a five-year deal.
He also found his replacement for his old job. James McDonald, who last worked with the Port Alberni Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League, accepted Hildebrand’s referral.
Woods, whose brother Brad is close friends with Hildebrand, said the promo- tion made a lot of sense.
“I talked to my brother and he couldn’t say enough good things about him,” Woods said. “Everything he said is very accurate.
“It’s important to work with somebody and have that relationship. It’s been easy. It’s like we’ve known each other our whole lives. I think we have a lot of the same visions and attitudes.”
Hildebrand said this is a career move he’d always wanted to make.
He has international experience working as an equip- ment manager for Canada at the world junior championship three times, most recently in Malmo, Sweden, in January. He has also been busy scouting p layers both at the WHL and minor hockey levels since the Blades’ 2013-14 season ended in March.
Hildebrand’s primary re- sponsibility will be to manage the Blades’ 50-man protected list.
“I’ve seen it all in the time that I’ve been athletic trainer and equipment manager,” he said. “I’ve been to many places and I’ve been to many areas. I think that part of it maybe brings a different perspective than someone else would have.
“I don’t believe anyone needs to be pigeonholed into a position.”
Hildebrand said he’d had some NHL offers. But the ability to stay in Saskatoon with wife, Krista, and children, Max and Mya, proved too good to pass up.
In addition to Hildebrand’s international resume and their relationship, Woods said Hildebrand is also a good evaluator.
“He’s got a good knack for picking talent,” Woods said.
“Just listening to him talk about players — and I’ve seen the guys in the (recent) prospects camp — the things that he’s said about them are pretty accurate.”