Blazers look for fresh start

With a stronger, more experienced roster, the Kamloops Blazers are hoping to pick up the pace and kick off a new beginning following a challenging season.

The Blazers finished dead last in the 22-team WHL last season — and now, head coach Shaun Clouston said, the hardest part of the rebuild is in the rear-view.

“We knew it was going to be tough. After you go all in, and you move players out, and you purposely have an older team, you're going to be graduating a lot of players. It's always challenging,” he said, referencing the club's run to the Memorial Cup in 2023.

“So I think we got through that year, and now we start step two of the rebuild and look forward to being more competitive.”

Following a lengthy summer break, the Blazers have returned a bit older and a lot stronger. Forward Jordan Keller said the players have returned reinvigorated.

“My main focus was to get stronger — bigger and stronger and quicker,” he said.

“I think we're all excited. Like I said, it wasn't the year we wanted last year. And I think we're all motivated to have a better year this year and hopefully push for a playoff spot.”

Coach wants fast pace

Clouston said he is emphasizing speed this season.

“We want to play hard and manage pucks and we want to be fast. Last year we weren't fast enough,” he said.

After picking up several older players and some early-round draft picks, Clouston said he expects the club to get back on its feet with a well-rounded roster.

On the attack, Clouston noted Tommy Lafreniere, a late addition to the team last year, was poised for a strong season this time around, and Vit Zahejsky, a Czech import selected second overall in the 2024 CHL import draft, was a welcome addition as well.

“They're both 17-year-olds, going to be with us at 17 and 18 and 19. It's really exciting to have players like that,” Clouston said.

He also highlighted Oren Shtrom, noting the forward had begun to pick up traction in Prince George before being acquired by the Blazers. Clouston said Shtrom’s style of play will complement this year’s gameplan.

On the defensive end, Clouston highlighted the additions of Layton Feist and Niko Tsakumis.

“21, 19, so a little bit older, both with good skills, they can skate, they can move the puck. So that should really help as well,” he said.

Clouston said the team would be “back to business” this season.

“It feels like the beginning of a new cycle — it’s onwards and upwards,” he said.

The Blazers kick off the 2024-25 WHL regular season against the Portland Winterhawks on Friday at Sandman Centre. Puck drops at 7 p.m.