The Kamloops Blazers are welcoming 76 players for trancing camp orientation this evening, ahead of on-ice sessions that get underway tomorrow and run though Monday.
With several Blazers veterans moving on to the pro ranks, Head Coach and GM, Shaun Clouston, is looking to see who will lead the next wave of Blazers.
“The thing we are excited about – even though we graduate a lot of players – we are able to bring some key guys back,” Clouston told NL Sports. “Those players that have been with us for three to four years. The likes of Fraser Minten, Connor Levis [on forward and] Logan Bairos on the blue line.”
“It’s going to be a very different look but I think those players are excited to step up and be leaders and set the tone right here at training camp.
Minten, the 19-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs prospect is one of the players tipped to be a leader on this team. The World Junior hopeful is also a potential candidate for captain, taking over from Kamloops-native Logan Stankoven.
“It’s a very different feel to be honest with you without guys like [Daylan] Kuefler, [Ethan] Brandwood, Stankoven, [Caedan] Bankier, or Semi [Matthew Seminoff],” Minten said. “Those five guys have been here every year I’ve been a Blazer. It’s a big hole friendship wise and also as leaders on the team.”
“But we’ve got guys that put in the work, and are ready to step up. Think of [Dylan] Sydor, [Emmiit] Finnie and Bairos. They are all ready to take big steps as well.”
While the likes of Bankier, Stankoven, Seminoff, Bairos, Kyle Masters, and Olen Zellweger are eligible to return, a number of them are expected to turn pro. As 2003-born players, they would also count against the three player overage limit.
Clouston say its a feeling of renewal for the team as they move on, less than three months after hosting the Memorial Cup.
“There are more players here. More free-agents have chosen to come to Kamloops,” he said. “We also have a lot more players signed in that 15, 16, and 17 year-old age group. That should make camp very competitive right from day one.”
All of the on-ice sessions will be at Sandman Centre. Training camp will conclude on Monday with a young guns tournament for all 15, 16, and 17 year old players.
You can find a complete training camp schedule and rosters here.
Radio NL will be covering Blazers training camp through the weekend. You’ll find the latest updates here.