The Saskatoon Blades have hired Jason Becker as the club’s new player development coach and Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) scout. After spending the last three seasons as a scout with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Becker joins the Blades.
Becker, a Saskatoon native, is a proud alumnus of the Blades. The 51-year-old played five seasons in the Western Hockey League, including a year-and-a-half in the Bridge City. Following the conclusion of his WHL eligibility, Becker attended the University of Saskatchewan and played five seasons for the Huskies. Becker continued his playing career professionally upon graduating, logging over 400 games combined in the ECHL, Germany and Great Britain.
After his retirement, Becker began a coaching career that spans over 15 seasons. Notably, he served nearly five seasons as an assistant coach in the WHL with the Prince George Cougars and three as an assistant coach with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League. He also served as head coach for Team Canada Pacific at the World U17 Hockey Challenge in 2013 and was an assistant coach at the 2019 Hockey Canada U17 Summer Development Camp.
Jason will continue to serve as manager of hockey operations and U15 prep head coach at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, a member of the CSSHL.
Blades Director of Scouting Dan Tencer is excited to welcome Becker back to the Blades organization.
“His background in coaching and developing players between the ages of 14 and 20 is extensive. I know he’ll do an outstanding job helping us identify and develop young men for the Western Hockey League and beyond. In speaking with Jason throughout the process, I know how passionate he is about this opportunity and really look forward to working with him.”
Becker is excited to roll up his sleeves and get to work.
“I look forward to working with the coaching staff and management staff and helping the young Blades prospects work to achieve their goal of playing in the WHL with the Blades.”
This hiring follows the departures of Player Development Coach Dustin Kohn (Spruce Grove Saints, assistant coach) and BC Regional Scout Brayden Toma (Kamloops Blazers, assistant coach) earlier in the off-season.
