Blades Memorialize Player From Inaugural Team

Saturday night at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna started on a somber note with a Memorial puck drop to remember an original member of the Steele County Blades franchise. Derick Brehm played in town during the 2012-13 season. He died in a vehicle-train crash August 1, 2019.

Former teammate Jake Ferguson spoke to the fans in attendance for the Blades game against the Minnesota Moose. He spoke of how Brehm was a great teammate and friend. Members of Brehm's family took part in the ceremonial puck drop. His jersey number was raised to the rafters of the Four Seasons Centre as well.

A report from Bring Me the News says the 25-year-old Brehm was killed when the truck he was driving was hit by a train at a "stop sign-controlled" intersection in Perham, MN.

In a obituary announcement from David-Donehower Funeral and Cremation Service, the author states Brehm moved to Detroit Lakes from Fargo, ND early in his life. He began skating at the age of three and joined youth hockey at the age of five. While his Blades' career was cut short by an ankle injury, it healed enough eventually for him to continue his hockey career in Montana and Canada. Brehm won Best Defender, Hardest Worker, and Most Improved awards with those teams.

Brehm also loved music, part of which was a connection with his grandfather, who showed how to play. Brehm also spent much of his limited free time with his family.

Brehm's coach with the Blades was Jon Jonasson, who is the current coach of the Moose who played in Owatonna Saturday.

In the game, the Moose and Blades traded goals early in the first period. The Moose added a goal late in the first and won 4-2. Dante Curtis and Nick Samuelson each scored their first goal with Steele County. On Friday, the Minnesota Mullets blanked the Blades 5-0.

Steele County joins their other division opponents for a showcase event at Fogerty Arena in Blaine starting Thursday, October 24. See the Blades full schedule here. Their next home games at Four Seasons are November 8-9 against the Dells Ducks.