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Hunter Laing looks to be a good fit for the Saskatoon Blades — even if he may not be able to squeeze his 6-foot-6, 209-pound frame into his grandpa’s old Blades gear.
Laing — an imposing figure who was selected by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round, 170th overall, of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft — is a second generation Blade with plenty of hockey pedigree. While grandpa Laing toiled in the WHA for a couple of seasons, dad Quintin Laing saw NHL action with the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals
Hunter Laing looks to be a good fit for the Saskatoon Blades — even if he may not be able to squeeze his 6-foot-6, 209-pound frame into his grandpa’s old Blades gear.
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His grandfather, Bill Laing, played for the Blades in the early 1970s before moving on to the World Hockey Association’s Edmonton Oilers.
“He (grandpa Laing) sent a picture to our group chat, so I haven’t tried them on yet — but they look pretty cool,” says Hunter Laing, whose Blades were back in action Friday night at home against the Red Deer Rebels before hosting the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday afternoon (4 p.m., SaskTel Centre).
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“I heard a little bit about his past from my dad, who played in Kelowna. When I got traded here, he was super excited. He pulled out some of his old uniforms and jackets the other day that are really, really old — they haven’t been out in a while — but he’s super pumped.
“My whole family is pumped. My dad’s coming down (this week), so he’ll be able to see the family and see us play.”
Laing — an imposing figure who was selected by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round, 170th overall, of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft — is a second-generation Blade with plenty of hockey pedigree.
While grandpa Laing toiled in the WHA for a couple of seasons, dad Quintin Laing saw NHL action with the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals after being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. Quintin Laing also won a Calder Cup as American Hockey League champion with the Hershey Bears.
Hunter Laing was acquired by the Blades from the Prince George Cougars prior to the Western Hockey League’s trade deadline.
“It was a crazy couple of days, playing (for the Cougars), then flying here and being traded,” he said. “You know, the guys have been super welcoming and I’m just super excited to be here.”
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He returns to Saskatchewan, where his family has its roots.
“I lived here for a couple of years and I have a lot of family here,” he said. “I’ve kind of watched the Blades when I was younger and kind of followed them, with my Papa playing here. When I heard I was coming here, I texted (family) right away and they were all happy and full of joy. The city, these fans, all I heard were good things. I’m super excited.”
Laing — whose birthplace is listed as Virginia Beach, Va., where his dad was playing for the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals at the time — was in Saskatchewan when he was drafted last June.
“We came down here, went to Harris, an hour from here. We went to my Papa’s and had all my aunties, uncles and cousins. To have all them, they’ve been a huge support to me for my whole life. It was a cool experience I’ll never forget.”
While his grandpa is in Harris, which is located between Saskatoon and Rosetown, Laing has plenty of family in Saskatoon and Langham, as well.
“My dad’s sister and his family, his two brothers and their families; I have about six or seven cousins here and then aunties, uncles — they’re all in Saskatoon,” he said. “One of them lives in Langham, but the rest are in town.
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“I went to go billet without them. I’ll see them lots, but I kind of wanted to be with the billet situation and live that junior career so we didn’t billet with them, but I bet they’ll invite me over any time they can get.”
The Laing family name is synonymous with hockey in Harris, a village of about 200 people.
“When we go back to Harris, my dad’s a celebrity,” Hunter noted. “He brought back the Calder Cup that he won — it is in the museum. So he’s a big celebrity and it’s kind of passed down to me and my brother. Everyone there knows us and knows the Laings. My mom showed me the Facebook comments the other day of all of Harris, and people are super excited. I’m just super excited and the whole Harris town is super pumped as well.”
Five of the new Blades newcomers made their home debut Wednesday against Portland.
“We’re still getting to know Hunter, but obviously a big body who stands out, great hands for a big man,” says Blades head coach Dan DaSilva. “Physically, he’s really, really smart.
“I’m still trying to get to know everybody, putting everyone in their right spots, spots in which they can succeed. It’s going to take time to get to know these guys, but again, we’re excited to work with Hunter and he’s a big part of the team moving forward.”
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