NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 30: Tom Gaglardi of the Dallas Stars works the 2013 NHL Draft at Prudential Center on June 30, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

It’s been an up and down week for Kamloops Blazers majority owner Tom Gaglardi.

The tough news of the departure of general manager Matt Bardsley followed up by some uplifting news with the province’s restart plan which includes a target date for large indoor crowds of Sept. 7.

“It’s exciting. We are all clamoring to get back to normal. Hockey doesn’t work without paying spectators, let’s call a spade a spade. A lot of WHL clubs have suffered a lot of pain. It’s welcomed news,” said the team owner of the Blazers and the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

“We’re starting to see around the world people packing into stadiums. We are seeing where people are gathering without masks. It appears to be happening pretty successfully where you have high levels of vaccinations.”

Gaglardi also taking in the news that Matt Bardsley resigned his GM position due to family reasons.

“I’m sad for Matt. His intention was to remain in Canada,” said Gaglardi.   “This year has been hard on people. There’s parts of the job that were hard and parts he loved. I think that combined with missing family and Covid… they had a feeling maybe they should just go home. At the end of the day, when a guy talks about his family and his life, there’s really not much that someone can say. It’s a personal decision and we accept it.”

The vacated position is garnering plenty of attention in the hockey world.

“I’ve been contacted in the last 24 hours more than any other time the job has been available (laughs). It certainly is popular. Kamloops is a desirable market. Our team is strong and solid. We are going to land on a good situation with a new GM. “There’s going to be good internal and external options that’s for sure. We can take our time and do the right thing.”

The full interview with Tom Gaglardi and NL Sports can be heard below.