(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Marty Hastings

DEADLINE DEAL

Coupland aiming to revitalize WHL career with change of scenery in Kamloops

Jan 9, 2026 | 4:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Ty Coupland is aiming to unlock the next level of his game in the Tournament Capital. 

“Sometimes you get in your own head, your own roadblocks, for me, personally,” said Coupland, an 18-year-old forward from North Vancouver. “If I’m able to just worry about the process and less about the result, that’ll be the big thing.” 

The Kamloops Blazers shipped two fourth-round WHL Prospects Draft picks to the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for Coupland on Thursday (Jan. 8), sneaking in the deal moments before the 5:00 p.m. trade deadline. 

Clouston sees latent capacity in Coupland, a second-round WHL Prospects Draft pick who swashbuckled onto the major junior scene in his 16-year-old season, racking up 14 goals and 31 points in 61 games with the Swift Current Broncos. 

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Coupland has produced offensively since then, but not at the pace at which his rookie season suggested he might. 

“When they get to 16, there’s not nearly as high of expectations,” Clouston said. “You’re kind of happy to be in the league. You’re just kind of going after it. He said things were kind of just going in for him and he wasn’t really thinking too much about it. I think the majority of times what happens is, for the players, the expectations change.” 

Coupland has nine goals and 20 points in 33 games this season, along with 88 points in 161 career games split between Swift Current and Red Deer. 

A quick YouTube search reveals skill, playmaking ability and a dangerous shot. 

Coupland is relishing the change of scenery, a blank sheet in the Western Conference with a GM and head coach who notes top-six potential in the new addition. 

“I picked him up at the airport,” Clouston said, noting Coupland needs to work on his skating, which is tied to strength training. “He understands where his game’s at. I think he understands what he has to get better at. It’s our job to help him get there.” 

Right-shot Coupland, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 170 pounds, is expected to wear No. 17 and make his debut against the Vees on Friday in Penticton. 

“There are not too many places in the league you’d rather go than Kamloops right now,” Coupland said. “They’re top notch. They’re producing great players. They’re playing really good hockey. They’re going for a run here. I’m really happy to be here and I’m really looking forward to playing with these guys. I took two planes today to get here just to play in Penticton tonight.”