The Kamloops Blazers will be honouring former player Kyrell Sopotyk before this Friday’s game against the Everett Silvertips.

A fifth round pick of the Blazers in the 2016 WHL Draft, Sopotyk’s hockey career was ended after a snowboarding accident in Jan. 2021 which left him paralyzed from the waist down.

The now 20-year-old will be back at Sandman Centre to take part in the ceremonial opening faceoff on Feb. 18.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Blazers Head Coach and General Manager Shaun Clouston told NL Sports. “He’s a great guy and a terrific teammate. He was real fun to coach, and he has been inspirational for the guys.”

“When we won the BC Division title in the 2020-21 hub season, his jersey was in the team photo there. His jersey is still hanging up in our dressing room, so it will be nice to have him here.”

The Blazers will also be wearing specialty made Kyrell Sopotyk #12 practice jerseys during their pre-game warm up that day. All of the jerseys will be signed by Sopotyk, and auctioned off, with the proceeds going to a charity of Sopotyk’s choice.

In 107 games with Kamloops between 2018 and 2020, the Aberdeen, Sask. native put up 45 points.