Wade Redden was born in the Lloydminster Hospital, and raised on the
family farm near Hillmond. As a youngster Wade played hockey, but was also
involved in the local 4H club and played Fastball. Wade completed
kindergarten though grade nine in the Hillmond School. He attended the Lloydminster
Comprehensive School for grade ten, and completed grades eleven and twelve in
Brandon, Manitoba.
A highlight of
Wade's career, thus far, has been his two trips to the World Junior Hockey
Championships with the Canadian Junior ream. The team won Gold medals in
Red Deer, Alberta in 1995 and Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. in 1996.
Wade played minor hockey with the Hillmond teams, and the Mid West Red Wings (from
the rural area). Wade then played one year with the Lloydminster Blazers
before being called to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Redden was named Rookie of
the Year his first year with Brandon. With the Wheat Kings, Wade made two
trips to the Memorial Cup. In 1995 the New York Islanders of the National
Hockey League drafted Wade. Early in 1996, Redden was traded to the Ottawa
Senators, before he got a chance to play with New York.