The Kamloops Blazers are going to be getting in one more game of pre-season action this year before the regular season gets going in mid-September.

The team has released its pre-season schedule, which includes 5 games over the course of 10-days from September 3rd to 13th.

This includes the first action at home to the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday, September 3rd.

It will be followed by a tilt against the Kelowna Rockets at the Sandman Centre on Friday, September 5th.

The next night, Saturday, September 6th, the Blazers return the favor with a trip to Prospera Place in Kelowna.

Kamloops will close out its pre-season action against the Prince George Cougars.

The Blazers will first meet up with Prince George at home on Friday, September 12th.

Kamloops will then wrap up the pre-season the next day in a neutral-site game in Quesnel — the 2nd year in a row hockey fans in the Cariboo community will be treated to WHL action.

“It was really successful last year,” said Blazers Assistant General Manager Tim O’Donovan.   “Prince George approached us on it and it makes a lot of sense for them.  Obviously it’s it’s a little bit closer for us to head up there and they have a great facility in Quesnel.”

“It was a sold out building last year.  It was really enjoyable and it’s fun for the players as well.  Just a little bit more intimate setting and I think the fans really enjoy it,” added O’Donovan.

The Blazers are returning to a five-game pre-season after having the pre-season schedule shaved down to four games in 2023-24, as well as the 2024-25 pre-season last year.

O’Donovan says the NCAA rule changes which allow WHL players to be eligible for US college scholarships means there’s less pressure on teams to make pre-season line-up decisions.

“It really means that anyone can play exhibition games and you’re not worrying about players that want to maintain their eligibility,” noted O’Donovan.  “It gives us a little bit more time and a little bit better look at different players that are coming to our camp.  Not only the players on our 50 man player list, but also free agent players.”

The release of the pre-season schedule this Monday comes ahead of the full season schedule being released by the Blazers on Tuesday.

This is going to include fewer head-to-head clashes with Kelowna this year, as the traditional 8 games per season is going to be pared down to 6 to fit the Penticton Vees into the BC Division schedule.

This also means the Blazers are only going to have to make one trip this season aboard BC Ferries to get to Victoria for games against the Royals.