Logan Stankoven scored two goals and two assists at the National U-17 Development Camp (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
NATIONAL U-17 DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Stankoven finishes Top 10 in scoring at U-17 development camp

Jul 29, 2019 | 2:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — Logan Stankoven got a taste of what the next level feels like at the National Under-17 Development Camp in Calgary.

The 16-year-old hasn’t even started his full-time career with the Blazers in the WHL.

“It was awesome. It was a great experience,” said Stankoven, who was one of 112 players taking part in the camp that ended on Friday. “Met lots of new kids from across Canada. It was high-level hockey. It was a good eye-opener to see what kind of talent is out there for my age group.”

Stankoven played well in three games with Team Green, scoring twice and adding two assists to finish Top 10 in scoring.

“It was a grind of a week, but you really learn lots on and off the ice. You learn a lot about professionalism and stuff like that,” he said.

The Kamloops native will find out shortly after the Blazers’ season begins if he’s made one of three Canadian teams for the 2019 World U17 Hockey Challenge Nov. 4 to 11.

“It would be huge for me to get that first taste, that Hockey Canada experience,” noted Stankoven. “They said we would find out in the middle of October. They kind of watch to the beginning of your year and just stuff like that to see how you do and go from there.”

Stankoven is starting to skate with his former major midget Thompson Blazers and working with the likes of trainer Greg Kozoris to get ready for his rookie season in Kamloops. In seven regular season games, and another six in the first round against Victoria, Stankoven had a goal and two assists. He says the experience late in the season was incredibly valuable.

“The biggest difference I noticed last year was speed and making plays quicker,” he said. “Making the jump from major midget to the WHL, those are the two biggest differences. So I’ve worked on that. Obviously, you want to keep all parts of your game firing on all cylinders, but those are the two big differences I found.”