Both the Saskatoon Blades and Victoria Royals chose experienced defensemen to be their new captains.

The Saskatoon Blades and Victoria Royals have announced their team captains for the 2024-25 WHL season. The Blades chose 20-year-old Ben Saunderson, while the Royals went with 19-year-old Justin Kipkie. Both defensemen have played at least 140 WHL games during their careers, with Saunderson set to hit the 200 mark this month. 

Saunderson has played his entire WHL career with Saskatoon. Initially a fifth-round pick by the Blades in 2019, he has 56 points in 195 games and has helped Saskatoon make the East Final in each of the last two seasons. Joining Saunderson in the Blades leadership team are Tyler Parr, Rowan Calvert, Brandon Lisowsky, and Tanner Molendyk, who will all wear A's this season. 

Like Saunderson, Kipkie has spent his entire WHL career with one team. The Royals drafted him in the sixth round of the 2020 Bantam Draft before the Arizona Coyotes selected him 160th overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Over his 142-game career, Kipkie has 85 points, which ranks fifth all-time in points by a defenceman. Nate Misskey, Reggie Newman, and Cole Reschny will join Kipkie in the leadership group. 

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