Members of the U-15 Thompson Blazers seen working out at Acceleration downtown on Wednesday night (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

U-15 THOMPSON BLAZERS

U-15 Thompson Blazers restricted to practices, workouts as they prepare for first showcase in Abbotsford

Nov 5, 2020 | 5:20 PM

KAMLOOPS — Greg Kozoris is working the U-15 Thompson Blazers through the paces at his Acceleration gym downtown.

Dryland training and practicing is all they can do while they change their four-team cohort.

“It’s a little weird,” said player Ryan Smith. “It’s kind of tough because you learn from the game, and when you’re not playing it’s hard.”

Ben Filippone added, “It’s been weirder than normal. Last season, obviously, playing a lot of games and this season only being able to play like eight or so games. It’s been different for sure.”

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Under the new COVID-19 guidelines set out by viaSport BC, teams can play in cohorts of four, which this U-15 team has been doing for the first couple months of the season.

However, the team is in the middle of a 14-day break as they transition to a new cohort, meaning they can’t play games. The boys are heading to Abbotsford next weekend to play a showcase tournament, one of two coming up in November and December.

“We really wanted to organize something where these guys can showcase their skills,” said the team’s co-general manager Jan Antons. “It’s the first time they will play before scouts because in Kamloops and other areas there were no people allowed as spectators.”

The players are looking forward to getting back to game action.

“Just being able to play a lot of games and being able to show what I can do to help,” said Filippone.

In travelling to Abbotsford, the group is heading to the epicentre of COVID-19 cases in B.C. Since Saturday, Fraser Health has accounted for 1,220 of 1,754 new cases — 70 per cent of all positive tests. This week, Chilliwack Minor Hockey postponed their season. However, the Thompson Blazers will be in a bubble and don’t feel unsafe.

“No, because we are following all viaSport, Hockey Canada and BC Hockey guidelines,” said Antons. “What that means is we’re actually keeping the team in a bubble. So we’re travelling on a bus, they’re going straight to the hotel, they’re not going out in public, they’re not allowed to wander out in the city. When they arrived at the Abbotsford centre, they go in separate doors. Each team has their own door. It’s really keeping that bubble and keeping them safe.”

Safety is a top priority, but the players are just itching to get back to playing games.