Blazers GM Matt Bardsley reflects on his first three seasons, and the future.

In Shaun Clouston’s first two seasons as head coach the Blazers had 59 wins, 22 regulation time losses and 4 losses in overtime or shootouts.

“Been real happy with the three seasons here.” say Matt Bardsley.

From a team that missed the playoffs the season before Matt Bardsley’s arrival, they won a memorable tie breaker against Kelowna to get into the playoffs in his first season, followed by back to back division titles in 2020 and 2021.

Bardsley made some key moves in that first season — one that stands out.

“You know when we acquired Zane Franklin — he wound up being such a key person and a key player on our team. He wound up being the captain, had great success in his two seasons. That seemed to kind of start to make a bit of a change with the group.”

FULL INTERVIEW: Earl Seitz sits down with Blazers GM Matt Bardsley

Bardsley has also shown to be a Riverboat Gambler at times —- like in the bantam draft in his first season, when the Blazers drafted two players in the first round who had already given a verbal committment to NCAA.

Mats Lindgren and Connor Levis both changed their mind, and as 16-year olds were key cogs in the machine that won the 2021 division title.

“It was a bit of a gamble.” says Bardsley. “But it was something we were willing to do and we’re happy that they’re here. I still believe that if you want to be the best, you need the best players. Some of the best players have options. We’re just happy that they decided Kamloops was the place for them.”

Because of no minor hockey season in 2020-21, the 2021 bantam draft, normally held in the spring, won’t happen until December.

“By the time they start, assuming they start in September, it will almost have been a year. So players have grown, their bodies have changed. So we’re going to have to get to know these players again. We have a pretty short window there to evaluate before that draft.”

As far as a Western League season in 2021-22, the plan is for a full 68 game schedule, starting in October.

“Hopefully things continue to improve as they have and hopefully we can start on time. It’s still a little bit of a wait.”

by Earl Seitz

Blazers GM Matt Bardsley reflects on his first three seasons, and the future.

Our Community