The owner of the Kamloops Blazers says he did not know that the team could have been as good as they have been so far this season.

Speaking during the first intermission of Sunday’s game in Vancouver, Tom Gaglardi says the Blazers had a good team to begin the season with, but he credits the trades made by General Manager Matt Bardsley early in the season.

“[He went and] brought in some really special players like Max Martin and Ryan Hughes and it’s made a big difference,” Gaglardi said. “I just think that the group of guys we had, it was in the room and I think we found the right coach.”

Gaglardi adds that Head Coach Shaun Clouston and Assistant Coach Cory Clouston have had an ‘immeasurable’ difference on the team.

“I don’t think that you can overestimate what this coach, and the difference that that has made,” Gaglardi added. “Last year for whatever reason, it just didn’t work and we had a disappointing season, [despite making the playoffs at the expense of Kelowna].”

“This year it’s really come together and we’ve got a special group of guys.”

The Blazers are on an eight game winning streak, and they lead the B.C. Division with 30 wins in 44 games. Last year, they managed just 28 wins, and beat the Rockets in a one-game tie-breaker to make the playoffs.

Next up for the Blazers is a two-game road trip to B.C. Division basement dwellers, Prince George on Friday and Saturday. You can hear both games on Radio NL.