Blazers new No. 1 defenseman Olen Zellweger skated with his new team for the first time on Tuesday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

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Newest Blazers arrive in Kamloops, excited to join Memorial Cup host

Jan 10, 2023 | 4:41 PM

KAMLOOPS — The skill and speed of Blazers new defenseman Olen Zellweger was evident during his first on-ice session.

Zellweger, arriving in Kamloops on Tuesday, is the team’s No. 1 defenseman after the six-player, 10-pick deal with Everett.

“You don’t expect trades ever, but they happen. They’re part of hockey,” said Zellweger to the Kamloops media after his first practice. “It’s exciting, especially to an organization like this where there are a lot of great players and good opportunity.”

Both Zellweger and Ryan Hofer, who were on the ice with the Blazers for the first time since Sunday’s trade, had a good first impression of their new team. “I thought [the team] was good, sharp. A lot of elite players out there, so it’s always fun if you’re joining a team like that.”

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Hofer added, “Really good. Everyone welcomed me right away. The coaching staff is really nice and informative, already filling me in with systems, so it was good.”

Zellweger was paired with Ethan Brandwood, a more stay-at-home defenseman that will complement his offensive style and eagerness to jump in the play.

“Having him on my left side obviously is giving me some confidence, seeing what he can do out there,” noted Brandwood after his first practice with Zellweger. “The way he skates is obviously tremendous and definitely a big asset going forward for this team…[different styles] complement each other. Obviously he’s playing the offensive game, likes to jump up in the rush. Being the more defensive guy, he can kind of fall back on me and trust that I’m going to be helping him out and supporting him.”

Meanwhile, Hofer practiced on a line with Shea Van Olm and Dylan Sydor. He’s a gritty player that’s not afraid to get dirty, but he can score, too. He has 23 goals and 13 assists in 36 games so far this season.

“Yeah big physical presence. I’m always going to work hard. I think that’s the biggest thing I can rely on — my work ethic,” noted Hofer. “I’m going to stick to what got me here and try to make the fans as happy as I can.”

Both are excited to be instantly on a team going to the Memorial Cup.

“Feels really special. My older brother was in one too with the Swift Current Broncos, so to be able to follow in his footsteps, so to say, and experience that myself. It’ll be good for the team, myself and my family, too,” said Hofer.

Zellweger added, “That’s an exciting opportunity. I’m sure they’ve been preparing very intensely for that opportunity. I think you want to earn your way there, you want to obviously compete in playoffs as far as you can go and ultimately try to win the league. I think that’s my goal for the team coming in here. Being a host is really cool as well.”

Earning their way there will be tough with the Seattle Thunderbirds loading up, acquiring the rights to World Junior hero Dylan Guenther at the deadline on Tuesday.

Zellweger, wearing No. 3, will play when the Giants visit the Sandman Centre on Wednesday, while Hofer, serving a one-game suspension, will have to wait until Friday to play his first game when Kamloops is fittingly in Everett to play their former team.