Image credit - (Kamloops Blazers/ Brian Johnson)

By Michael Reeve

BLAZERS WIN

Hurlbert dazzles in debut as Blazers win their opener

Sep 21, 2025 | 6:51 AM

KAMLOOPS — JP Hurlbert showcased to the Kamloops faithful why he’s projected to be a first round selection in next year’s NHL entry draft, potting a hat-trick in a season opening 6-4 Blazers win over the Spokane Chiefs.

It was actually the visitors getting on the scoresheet first, with Rhett Sather bulging the twine just over 8 minutes in. But Hurlbert would quickly respond a minute later with his first WHL goal. The centre would then add another late in the frame to give Kamloops a short lived, 32 second lead, before Mathis Preston beat Logan Edmonstone to send the game into the first intermission all square, 2-2.

Isa Guram scored his first in the Dub, 90 seconds into the middle stanza to give Kamloops a lead they would never relinquish. Hurlbert would complete the hat trick shortly after to make it 4-2, before Cooper Moore scored shorthanded to extend the lead to three.

The Chiefs would fight back in the third period, getting goals from Coco Armstrong and Gavin Burcar, but it would be to little to late for the visitors. Owen Cooper would score into the empty net to salt away the victory for Kamloops.

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 4, 2025

12h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Dec 03, 2025

Question of the Week

Will the amount of money you spend on Christmas be more or less than last year?

Dec 01, 2025

Edmonstone made 29 saves in the winning effort.

Kamloops is back in action next Friday (Sept 26) as they welcome the Seattle Thunderbirds to the Sandman Centre. Puck drop set for 7:00 p.m.