Connor Zary has been skating and training for the season at home in Saskatoon (Image Credit: Evan Fitzer)

By Chad Klassen

CONNOR ZARY

Zary doesn’t believe WHL season will start on time — but is training as if it will

Jul 24, 2020 | 4:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been a typical summer for Connor Zary. The 18-year-old forward is acting as if training camp will begin Sept. 15 and the season will commence Oct. 2. But even he is skeptical about those dates.

“I’m training as if I was starting in August,” he said via Skype from his home in Saskatoon. “Obviously we’re not. Honest opinion is we won’t be able to start in October, but I’ve still got to train and still got to have the train of thought that I’m training as hard as I can, and that’s what I can do to be ready no matter when it does start.”

Zary says the ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19 makes him believe the upcoming season will be delayed even further.

“Just the way everyone’s talking and you hear things. Obviously no one can give you a final answer that ‘yeah, it’s happening,'” he said. “It’s up in the air with every single thing that’s going on this year. It’s just a waiting game to see what happens.”

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As of now, the Blazers plan to have all the players in Kamloops for training camp Sept. 15.

For Zary, it’s not only the uncertainty of his 19-year-old season. He’s also missing out of his draft experience. He’s a projected first-round pick, but the NHL Draft won’t happen in person.

“It’s obviously something I thought about a bit. It’s not too much in my head anymore. I don’t think I’m too worried about it. It’ll still be special no matter what, if it happens virtually or in-person,” Zary said. “For me, it was a bit upsetting that you don’t get to go through that process and be there, something you dream of. But no matter what, it’ll be a pretty special moment.”

While he trains at home in Saskatoon, Zary will take in the NHL playoffs that start next weekend.

“It’ll be pretty nice, being able to come up in the mornin and just have something to turn on and watch and just enjoy sports,” he said. “I know watching the MLB yesterday, opening day, I think it wasn’t too different watching it without fans being there, so I’m guessing with everything the NHL has set up and all that, I’m sure it’ll be great to watch.”