`Great stick-on-puck defender' Blades' top pick in prospects draft

The Saskatoon Blades — who already have a Poke Check mascot — now have a poke-check master coming up through the ranks.

The Blades selected six-foot-one, 160-pound defenceman Isaac Poll as their first-round pick, 21st overall, in the 2022 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft on Thursday.

“He's a great stick-on-puck defender,” Blades director of scouting Dan Tencer said. “We're obviously tremendously excited with Isaac. He's a player that they don't make many like him. He's a big body, right shot who moves extremely well.

“He's also got some offensive ability with some small-area skills. Our staff is very excited. Any day you can add a big, right-shot D that moves like this, and has some offence to his game, it's a good day.”

Defensively, Poll takes pride in having an active stick.

“I think definitely, for sure,” he said. “I'm willing to hit a lot but I'm able to strip the puck with a stick and get out of there. I'd much rather do that than slow myself down by having to make body contact.”

Poll produced 38 points in 26 games with the Prairie Storm under-15 AA program.

“I think I'm a very good playmaker that sees the ice well,” Poll said when asked to describe the type of player he is. “I'm able to lock down defensively and make sure the puck stays out of the net. I also feel I have that offensive capability, so I can be a threat in the offensive zone as well.”

Even so, Poll said he was caught by surprise to see his name selected in the first round. He was short of words to express just how happy he was for this to happen.

“I knew (the Blades) were interested but I didn't know they were that interested to pick me that early,” Poll said. The native of White City, near Regina, is represented by agent Mike Kaye.

“I really did not know, to be honest. I did not think I was going to go in the first round, at all. I was thinking second round, but obviously I hoped that I'd go in the first. I was trying to be realistic and thinking I'd go somewhere in the second round, but I got lucky and I'm a Saskatoon Blade.”

Before the Blades got there, they dealt No. 13 pick overall to Kamloops Blazers in exchange for the 19th overall selection, the 66th overall selection (third round) and the 129th overall selection (sixth round) in Thursday's draft. They then dealt that No. 19 pick to the Vancouver Giants for the 21st overall pick and a fourth-rounder (70th overall). Poll admits he quickly will switch from being a fan of the Regina Pats to being a fan of the Blades.

“Yeah, I think that's how it kind of works,” he said. “I'm more of a Blades fan now, I feel. I'll definitely be watching them when they come down and play in Regina.”

Poll will suit up with the Regina Pat Canadians next season.

The Blades made 12 picks in total on Thursday.

Rounding out their selections were: Hudson Kibblewhite, F, Vernon, B.C., (Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna); Jordan Martin, D, Abbotsford, B.C. (Yale Hockey Academy); Lochlan Tetarenko, F, Bragg Creek, Alta., (Okotoks Oilers); Brayden Klimpke, D, Calgary (Northern Alberta Xtreme Prep); Maxx Hamelin, F, Winnipeg (Winnipeg Bruins under-15 AAA); Rylan Hue, F, Saskatoon (Bandits AA); Dayton Deschamps, D, Saskatoon (Outlaws AA); Tyler Deakos, F, Cochrane, Alta. (Edge School under-15 prep); Hudson Roberge, D, West Kelowna (Okanagan Hockey Academy prep); Malakai Zwiers, G, Lloydminster (Bobcats AAA under-15); Colten Worthington, F, Brandon, Man. (Brandon AAA Wheat Kings under-15).

The Blades took six forwards (including three centres and two right wingers), five defencemen (three right shots) and one goalie.

Any day you can add a big, right-shot D that moves like this, and has some offence to his game, it's a good day.