Image credit: Edmonton Oilers/X

By Marty Hastings

ON THE ICE

Lafreniere nets two goals for Oilers rookies; three Blazers preparing for NHL training camps

Sep 15, 2025 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Edmonton Oilers picked Tommy Lafreniere of the Kamloops Blazers in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft.

He’s making an impression in his first rookie camp with the NHL club.

The 18-year-old forward scored twice for the Oilers Rookies in a 5-4 defeat to the Calgary Flames Rookies on Sunday (Sept. 14) at the Saddledome. He opened the scoring in the first period and added a power-play marker in the second period.

Lafreniere is expected to be on the ice when the Oilers open training camp later this week.

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Meanwhile, two of his Blazers’ teammates are also expected to take part in NHL training camps this week – forward Nathan Behm with the Chicago Blackhawks and defenceman Harrison Brunicke with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lafreniere, Brunicke and Behm are all eligible to play NHL pre-season games.

Blazers’ goaltender Ivans Kufterins returned to Kamloops on Monday (Sept. 15) after his stint at the Utah Mammoth’s rookie camp.

The Blazers are scheduled to open the WHL regular season this Saturday (Sept. 20), when the Spokane Chiefs come to town for a 6 p.m. start at Sandman Centre.