Logan Stankoven arrived back in Kamloops last Thursday evening before hopping on the team bus to Prince George (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

STANKY'S BACK

Stankoven turns his focus to helping championship-potential Blazers after signing first pro contract

Oct 6, 2021 | 4:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — Logan Stankoven is back with the Blazers. In fact, within hours of landing in Kamloops from Dallas, he was on the team bus up to Prince George.

He’s excited for what the team can do this year.

“I think we can go all the way with our roster,” said the Kamloops native who was at Stars’ training camp the last two weeks. “I think we have a younger roster again, but I think we’ve got a good crop of some ’05s, some ’04s, and some solid ’03s coming up. Some good veteran leaders that have been here for a few years that can put the puck in the net.”

Count Stankoven as one of those guys. He scored 29 goals in his rookie campaign two years ago, then another seven tallies in just six games during the hub season before scoring four times to help the U18 Canadian national team win gold.

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Stankoven returns after taking part in Dallas Stars’ training camp. The Stars took the Kamloops native 47th overall in this year’s NHL Draft and signed Stankoven to a three-year, entry-level contract last week.

“I think it was just a big sigh of relief, similar to how I felt once I was drafted,” he said. “As much as I love playing hockey, and it’s my life, it’s also a job for myself. A lot of guys that go through the WHL route and other junior leagues want to make a living playing hockey, and that’s been my dream since I was a little kid. So I guess to get a little kickback out of signing a contract is obviously nice, but that’s not the reason I’m playing hockey. I play because I love the game.”

His passion for the game shows on the ice with a motor that never stops and a knack for scoring goals. The Blazers are just as excited to have his elite talent back.

“He’s a great leader and he’s a person the rest of the team really looks up to,” said Blazers head coach Shaun Clouston. “He’s got tremendous work ethic. He’s going to get ways to figure out how to get better. It’s what you have to do to get to that next level, so we’re excited to have him.”

Stankoven wants to work on some of the flaws in his game that were revealed at Stars camp — namely speed and strength. He also wants to play a bigger role on the Blazers this season.

“I want the team to have success and myself individually. I want to be able to put up points and produce and be a guy that’s relied on in all situations, whether it’s playing more penalty kill or taking defensive zone draws or being put out in timely situations,” said Stankoven. “That’s just something I’m going to work on and it’s going to progress as the season goes on.

The 18-year-old is also on the radar for the World Junior team, especially after a stellar performance at the under-18 tournament where he scored the gold-medal-winning goal.

“I think it all starts with having a good season here,” he said. “Obviously they’re going to be keeping a close eye on all the prospects — all the guys that have a shot at making the team. For myself, I just want to come out of the gates with a strong start.”