KAMLOOPS — When the Blazers picked up Zane Franklin in a trade from Lethbridge this summer, they knew what they were getting, a veteran player that would come in and inject some experience into a fairly young line-up.
Through two games this season, the 19 year old has done exactly that.
“He was real open to the new opportunity and since’s been here he’s acted like a professional,” said Blazers GM Matt Bardsley, who acquired Franklin and a 2020 fourth-round pick for 18-year-old forward Jackson Shepard. “I think he’s mixed in real well with his teammates, has a good communication, good trust with our coaching staff, he’s been real good with our young guys, which is expected as a veteran player.”
Franklin wants to be an example for the rest of the team and he has been so far, setting the tone early in the year with a couple goals and an assist. He says he learned a lot from his time in Lethbridge, going to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals with the Hurricanes.
“When I was in Lethbridge as a 17 year old, they were just starting that winning phase, so I got to see the older guys, how they prepare for every game,” he noted. “I think now that’s me. I’m one of the older guys and I’m just going to show them how every day should be, getting ready for a game like it’s a championship game.”
Franklin has been among the Blazers best players with his two goals, assist, and a fight. In fact, in both wins over Kelowna, he was close to a Gordie Howe hat trick.
“Yeah I just think I play an honest hockey game. I’m not ever going to really back down from anyone,” he said. “But I’m not going to look for it too much. It’s just a part of hockey. It always will be. I like it.”
His tough, scrappy style comes from his rural, blue collar upbringing in Marwayne, Alberta, a town of just 564 people.
“It’s kind of a farming town. I’m from the country, so I was kind of raised that way. It’s fun. It’s a good way to play. You get used to getting hit, getting hit against those old boards in the old rink. It toughens you up a little,” said Franklin.
Blazers head coach Serge Lajoie, who grew up in Bonnyville, Alberta, an hour from where Franklin did in Marwayne, appreciates his hard-nosed approach to the game.
“Zane exemplifies exactly how we need to play. If I were to put a prototypical player in terms of what Blazer hockey should be like, I think Zane demonstrated the little things that are required to play the game the right way,” said Lajoie. “He’s not afraid of mixing it up physically, he’s not afraid of sticking up for his teammates. He keeps the game relatively simple, and by doing that he’s probably our most effective forwards in all aspects.”
The Blazers will try to remain unbeaten this weekend with a doubleheader in Victoria on Friday and Saturday night.
