(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS have added homegrown defenceman Kale McCallum, of Rothesay, and forward Nick Blagden, of Prince of Wales.
The pair have joined the team for the second half of the 2022-2023 Atlantic University Sport season and beyond.
“It’s been a dream of mine to study and play here,” said Blagden. “Once Coach Mac asked me to play, I couldn’t say no.”
“The thought of being able to move closer to home as well as being part of the best university hockey team in the nation sold me,” said McCallum. “They consistently send players to pro once they finish their careers here. It’s a place where I can see myself becoming a better hockey player and student.”
McCallum joins the REDS after playing 36 games with the Val d’Or Foreurs, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season.
He recorded eight goals and 26 assists with Val d’Dr.
McCallum spent the previous three seasons with Val d’Or and the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Over his QMJHL career, he played in 184 regular season games, scoring 33 goals and 94 assists.
Blagden had split the first part of the current season between the Sea Dogs, where he was a member of their 2022 Memorial Cup team, and the River Valley Rock, of New Brunswick’s Southern Senior Hockey League.
“We’re excited to add both of these players, especially at this time of year,” said REDS associate coach Rob Hennigar. REDS’ head coach Gardiner MacDougall is with Canada’s men’s team at the FISU Winter Games, in Lake Placid, New York.
“Kale has great instincts from the back end and adds an offensive element to the group,” he added. “He has great vision and can make plays that a lot of others don’t see, whether it’s breaking us out from our end, joining the rush, or in the offensive zone. He has had tremendous success at the major junior level, and we look to grow that here.”
“Nick is a big body that brings a physical element to our group,” said Hennigar. “He has an excellent attitude and is willing to do the little things to help us be successful. He's a good skater that likes to be in on the forecheck and get to the net.”
During Blagden’s QMJHL career, with Saint John, Moncton and Blainville, he played 87 regular season games, scoring six goals and seven assists.
“I’m an energy guy,” said Blagden. “I’m a physical, hard-working player. I think Coach Mac wanted some more grit in his lineup, and I’ll bring that.”
He’s excited to be reunited with Coach MacDougall, who as interim head coach of the Sea Dogs, led their Memorial Cup run.
“Coach Mac is an icon in Saint John,” said Bladgen. “Without him, that team wouldn’t have won the Cup. He provided us with the motivation in our toughest times.”
In joining the REDS, McCallum is reunited with his sister, Cassie, a goaltender with UNB’s women’s hockey team.
“UNB is a program that didn’t need any extra influence to bring me here,” said McCallum. “I think that she made the decision a little bit easier. Having her here means a lot, and I’m excited to be able to watch her games for the first time in a few years.”
“We’re hopeful that both Nick and Kale will be in the lineup this weekend and play key roles right away,” said Hennigar. “Any time you can add character players, like these guys and at this time of year, UNB fans should be excited.”
“I’m a solid puck-mover from the back end, and I’ll help contribute at both ends of the ice,” said McCallum. “I think I can help bring some offence from the rush and the blueline. I think the game well and want to help this team win every night.”
Blagden and McCallum will both study Business while attending UNB.
REDS fans can look for McCallum and Blagden when UNB hosts the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday. Game time is 7:00pm.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
BLAGDEN PHOTO: Vincent Ethier/CHL Images
McCALLUM PHOTO: Dany Germain/Val d'Or Foreurs