Connor Levis in action at the Sandman Centre earlier this season (Image Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers)

By Chad Klassen

CONNOR LEVIS

Levis growing his game during important year for both him and the Blazers

Nov 3, 2022 | 3:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — Connor Levis knows it’s a big year for him — and the team hosting the Memorial Cup — and he’s showing it on the ice. Levis is second in team scoring behind Logan Stankoven with four goals and 12 assists.

However, as with most athletes, Levis is focused on the team and helping the Blazers win games.

“I’m treating it the same as last year and I think it’s important,” he said. “But obviously it’s a big year for me and being ‘B’ rated I feel fortunate to get recognition. I’m trying to do the best on the ice and in practices and in workouts — just keep on improving every single day.”

It was just last week Levis was listed as a ‘B’ prospect by NHL Central Scouting, one of three Blazers on this year’s list. Levis say the ranking is validation for the work he’s put in.

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“Yeah, I think so a little bit. It’s cool to see that recognition from the NHL Central Scouting. It’s cool,” he said. “It definitely helps with the confidence, knowing I can go out there and say I’ve got this ‘B’ ranking. But it’s not something I’m going to let get to my head. I’m going to keep on developing every single day.”

Head coach Shaun Clouston says Levis had a good start in the hub during the 2020-21 season with five goals and 14 assists. He followed up with 16 goals and 26 assists in his first full WHL season last year.

“He got better with some structure. He got better with the physicality. He’s really embraced that. He’s a big, strong young man and he’s embraced that element,” said Clouston on the 6’2″, 193-pound forward. “He got better with the speed of the game. It’s a fast game at this level, and so I think right now he’s able to start to really put it all together.”

Linemate Fraser Minten added, “I think he’s more confident this year, first of all, after having a full season last year, like most of us are. He’s a big strong guy. Skates hard, plays hard. He can shoot the puck. Big strong power forward with some skill.”

It helps he’s playing on the top line, getting No. 1 power play time alongside one of the league’s best players in Logan Stankoven and Minten, a 2022 NHL draft pick.

“When you’re playing with the previous CHL Player of the Year, it’s very fun because you’re going to get more puck touches, get some assists and really good passes. It’s not something I’m going to take for granted. Get on working and feeding [Stankoven] the puck, too,” noted Levis.

Minten, who went through last season with scouts’ eyes on him as a top prospect, says Levis needs to ignore what people are saying about him and just play his game.

“It really doesn’t mean anything. It’s just people’s opinions,” said Minten, who was taken by Toronto 38th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. “The people’s opinions that matter are the guys associated with the [NHL] teams. They care about the team results as much as they do individual, so worry about the team success and winning and then you’ll see your name where you want at the end of the year.”