Blazers prepare for preseason opener (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

BLAZERS HOCKEY RETURNS

Blazers return to game action as the battle for roster spots intensifies

Sep 8, 2023 | 4:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — Following the shortest off-season in Kamloops Blazers history — which was still three days too long after Memorial Cup heartbreak — the team will take the ice at Sandman Centre Friday (Sept. 8).

“(The Memorial Cup) is in the past for sure, but it also doesn’t feel too far removed as well,” said fourth-year forward Fraser Minten. “You still feel like you still have a feel for hockey game situations. I don’t feel too out of place when we are running scrimmages. Sometimes after long summers you feel like you can forget positions a little bit. But it feels like it was just the other day that we were still playing.”

It will be a mix of experience and youth for the Blazers in their first two preseason game against the Kelowna Rockets, with Minten helping lead the squad Friday night.

“Just trying to include everybody as much as I can. We have lots of young bodies here that it’s their first time playing major junior hockey, and being involved with big arenas, big fans, all the gear being taken care of. It’s probably pretty exciting and a bit overwhelming for them as well. Just trying to communicate with them and make them feel comfortable on a daily basis,” added Minten.

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

5h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

11h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

The first preseason game can be a weird one, with players working off the rust, combined with an unbridled excitement to be back in game action. Head Coach and GM Shaun Clouston expects to have a better sense of the team’s situation after the opening contest.

“We expect our older players again to lead the way, set the tone, to get the guys focused and ready come puck drop. And then it’s a rival, so you always expect it to be a battle. It doesn’t matter that it’s preseason, it’s going to be a battle, there is going to be some physicality to the game,” said Clouston.

Another fourth-year forward and NHL draft pick will have to wait one more night before his debut. Connor Levis will check into the lineup on Saturday before he leaves the Blazers for Winnipeg Jets camp.

“Playing a team like Kelowna, it’s a rivalry. It’s going to be real cool playing against them. For me personally, it’s going to be cool getting a game under me heading into Winnipeg,” Levis told CFJC News.

Puck drop tonight at Sandman Centre is 7:00 p.m.

“We want to win. There are lots of guys in our bottom six… who are fighting for roster spots. They are going to have to bring their ‘A’ game and try their best to help us win if they want to stick around for the season,” added Minten.