Image Credit: Kamloops Blazers

By Victor Kaisar

Kai Matthew Reassigned

Blazers designate forward Kai Matthew for reassignment

Dec 30, 2024 | 12:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers have designated 19-year-old forward Kai Matthew for reassignment to a team yet to be determined.

Speaking to CFJC Today, Blazers Head Coach and General Manager Shaun Clouston says the move was made to free up space for some of the younger players on the roster.

“It was just a situation where at 19, you have to contribute and we’ve got a really good group of 07s that we have to keep going,” Clouston said. “Players like [Max] Sullivan and [Conner] Radke have stepped it up just a little bit here recently. They’ve got a little bit of traction and they’re a year younger.”

“It was nothing personal. It was a developmental situation for the younger players and it was important to keep those younger guys going.”

Matthew signed with the Blazers in November of last year, after he de-committed from the University of Denver. A fifth-round pick of the Blazers in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, he had five goals and one assist in 22 games this season.

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Matthew had 17 points (nine goals and eight assists) in 35 games during the 2023-24 season. Prior to signing with the Blazers, he had 41 points (16 goals and 25 assists) in 68 games across two seasons with the Drumheller Dragons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).

“We chatted going into the weekend that we would try to find him a spot if he wanted to stay in the league,” Clouston said. “He’s property of the Blazers right now and we’ve put his name out.”

“At some point, depending on our [50-player] list, he could be a drop but if there is somebody between now and the deadline that has interest, we would move him and if not he’ll end up playing maybe the AJHL or the BC junior league or somewhere else.”

– With files from Marty Hastings