Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

BLAZERS DRAFT PICKS

Blazers get glimpse into future at weekend prospects camp

Jun 3, 2019 | 5:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a weekend of futures for Blazer Hockey, as they held their annual prospects camp this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The camp involved a pair of ice times at Brock Arena, which serves less as an evaluation and more as an introduction for these young men.

“It allows the players to get to know the staff, it allows the staff to get to know the players and the parents,” GM Matt Barnsley explained. “On the ice, certainly we just want to see some skills… it’s not a big evaluation. It allows them to get on the ice and get comfortable with everyone.”

The camp included athletes from the 2003 age group, as well as all nine draft picks the Blazers made in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. For Bardsley, seeing all the Blazers young prospects on the ice together for the first time was an exciting experience.

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“This is kind of the first viewings of the draft class we had. We drafted nine players of the ’04 birth year and we’re really excited with what we see so far from that group.”

Included in that group were 2019 First Rounders Mats Lindgren and Connor Levis. Lindgren, a defenceman, was picked 7th overall.

“[I’m] an offensive defenceman,” Lindgren said. “I like to make a lot of plays offensively and defensively. I like to use my skating to get out of trouble.”

While big-bodied forward Connor Levis was selected with the 20th pick in the 2019 Draft.

“I think my size is a big advantage for me right now,” Levis said. “My speed, my shot, my hockey IQ, and my hands aren’t bad for a bigger player. I think those are some things I can use in my game to help me.”

Both Levis and Lindgren have made commitments to the University of Michigan, which caused some fans to question their selection in the draft. Both still say they’re undecided on which direction they plan to take in their hockey careers.

“Both are great ways to go, but the Blazers are an amazing organization, and it would be a great place to play,” Levis said.

“I love Kamloops – the city, the organization, everything has been really good so far,” Lindgren said. “I’ve got a big decision to make.”

For the GM who selected them, he knows there’s time before either player has to make that decision whether they take the WHL route, or opt for a career in the NCAA.

“We want them to feel comfortable about Kamloops – the organization and the staff, their future teammates,” Bardsley explained. “If anything, the evaluation is for them to evaluate us and see if this is the place they want to be. Again, I feel strongly that this is a place they’d want to play.”