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By Earl Seitz

Blazers GM search

Blazers narrow search for new general manager. Some “unusual” resumes.

Jun 17, 2021 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Matt Bardsley was General Manager of the Kamloops Blazers for three years.

Late last month he announced he will be leaving at the end of June — so that he, his wife and their two young children can move back closer to family in Portland.

Bardsley’s resignation immediately kicked into gear the search for a new General

In his three years here Bardsley made a significant impact on the franchise —- shortly after being hired he made the trade that brought Zane Franklin to Kamloops.

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He had strength in recruiting —- gambling in drafting two players in the first round 2019, Mats Lindgren and Connor Levis —- who had made committment to NCAA — who Bardsley later signed to Blazers contracts.

Goaltender Dylan Ernst, Fraser Minten and Tye Spencer also came in the draft —- and all five of those players played key roles in the Blazers pandemic season B.C. Division championship.

“You’re continually evaluating players, you need to know where your team is at.” says Blazers President Don Moores. “Not just this year, but three or four years down the road. You really need to understand what’s in the league — you need to know what your depth chart is at. You’re constantly dealing with agents. You’re constantly dealing with different issues that are happening with your organization.”

So, those are big boots to fill.

There are quality people within the organizaton who could do the job — or maybe it will be someone from outside.

“We’re in a position where we can do that.” says Moores. “When you look at Shaun Clouston, Tim O’Donovan — they’re key figures in our organization. We recognize that and we’re fortunate to have that. We’ve also had some really good resumes from the outside. We’ve had lots of great resumes. We’ve had some unusual resumes.” says Moores. “I did have a guy from Brampton, Ontario who works for a quick lube, who felt he would be perfect for the position.”

That would fill two positions —- general manager and changing the oil on the team bus.

From dozens of resumes the Blazers have shortlisted to five, according to Don Moores —- the quick lube guy isn’t one them.

Moores says they’re weighing the options, presumably five of them, and trying to decide which is the right way to go.

Inside there are good people.

If they go outside, there’s always the danger of losing some of those good ones from within.

“You always worry about that, but we’re a building organization.” says Moores. “I look at the people who have gone through here over the years, and where they’ have gone and what they have done. We expect that our people would probably move on to bigger and better things. That doesn’t mean we want anybody to leave, but we hope we’re building good people to move on and that’s an important thing in our franchise, so you’re always going to have that challenge, no matter what.”