Pair of Blazer rookies impress during first preseason games

The Blazers turned over the roster to give more players during Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Victoria. Josh Pillar, who’s hoping to crack the roster as a 16 year old, played in both games during the long weekend, scoring a goal and an assist against the Royals.

“I think they’re just as good as anybody else’s here,” said Pillar on his chance to make the Blazers. “It’s going to be tough to make the team. Everybody has a chance, really.”

Lajoie gives a lot of credit to the Blazers’ old scouting staff for picking up on Pillar’s ability.

“I really like him. I like what he showed in training camp. He’s got a really good motor. He gets going and battles on loose pucks, so he’s a player that, at a young age, is positionally-sound,” he said of Pillar’s game. “There’s a lot to be encouraged about from a coaching standpoint with his play.”

The 47-year-old Blazers bench boss believes Pillar, who scored 21 goals and 29 assists in 44 games with the Prince Albert Mintos last year, can make an impact this year.

“I absolutely believe that he can, but those are decisions that still have to be made. We always have to keep the athletes’ best interest in mind. Can he play at this level? Yes. Will he get enough ice time is the next question we have to answer,” noted Lajoie. “We have to put him in an environment where he’s going to continue to develop. It’s not like we have to win right now. We have to look at the future of this organization. Josh is definitely going to be a part of it.”

Lajoie says with three preseason games left on the schedule, he hopes to give the veterans more ice to determine who fits with who.

by Chad Klassen

Pair of Blazer rookies impress during first preseason games

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