Image credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea

By Marty Hastings

IN THE WHL

Blazers’ Clouston attributes boost in training camp numbers to NCAA rule change

Aug 29, 2025 | 4:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Blazers’ head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston said a boost in numbers at training camp this year is due in large part to a rule change.

The NCAA Division One Council voted in November to allow Canadian Hockey League players to maintain NCAA eligibility.

“Players recognize that, No. 1, [the Canadian Hockey League] is the best path to being drafted and playing pro,” Clouston said.

“But now, too, it’s going to be the place you have to be in order to pursue an NCAA scholarship.”

CFJC-TV

Kamloops born-and-raised Dylana Kneeshaw to succeed Bill O'Donovan as CFJC-TV lead anchor

5h ago

TWO & OUT

PETERS: Boyle's supportive housing move is data-driven decision-making gone wrong

10h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 11, 2025

Dec 11, 2025

The Blazers have 88 players at camp this year, a jump from 72 last year.

“You’ve got teams looking at junior A players, potential junior A players,” Clouston said. “Even the [J.P] Hurlbert situation, I mean, that’s just a player who’s here who wouldn’t have been here before.”

Clouston said some U.S.-born players who never previously considered the WHL an option are thinking differently.

“They were thinking, I want to play NCAA and the USHL is the league that’s kind of in our backyard, so that’s the path,” Clouston said.

“‘I’m going to play minor hockey. I’m going to play Triple A somewhere and I’m going to play in the USHL to get that scholarship.’ And so I think there will be those types of players that now look at this as a serious option.”

There are eight U.S.-born players on the Blazers’ training camp roster this year, an increase from three in 2024.

“We believe it’s been a better league and I think that will prove out,” Clouston said. “This will be the league — the CHL in general, but the WHL for the players in our territory — you pretty much have to play in to make it to the top and become a pro or if those options aren’t there for you to use this as an opportunity to earn a scholarship.”