Ryan Michael (second from left) and Rhett Ravndahl (second from right) celebrate against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Nov. 15, 2025. (Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

By Victor Kaisar

College Hockey

Trio of Blazers defencemen commit to NCAA hockey teams

Jan 14, 2026 | 8:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Three Kamloops Blazers defencemen have committed to playing NCAA Division I college hockey in the United States once they leave the Western Hockey League.

Graduating Blazers captain Ryan Michael announced Tuesday (Jan. 13) that he’ll suit up for the RPI Engineers in the 2026-27 season, while fellow overager Rhett Ravndahl announced his plans to play for the University of Alaska Nanooks.

A draft pick of the Blazers in 2020, Michael has spent his entire WHL career in blue and orange. The native of Langley has put up 71 points (10 goals and 61 assists) in 203 games over the past five seasons.

Ravndahl — from Birch Hills, Sask. — was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings at the trade deadline last January. He has 16 points (five goals and 11 assists) in 58 games with the Blazers, and he’ll join former Blazers teammate Beau Courtney in Alaska.

Former Blazers forward Dylan Sydor is also with the Nanooks as he joined the University of Alaska ahead of the 2025-26 season. Sydor, the son of former NHLer and Blazers player – and current co-owner – Darryl, spent the 2024-25 season at the University of Calgary.

LOOPED IN

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: February 12, 2026

1h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Are we any closer to understanding the human mind?

3h ago

Question of the Week

Do you believe major government cuts are necessary to bring the provincial deficit under control?

Feb 09, 2026

Wednesday (Jan. 14) evening, Blazers defenceman Isa Guram also announced his commitment to play for the Northern Michigan Wildcats. The 18-year-old Guram plans to return to the Blazers next season before joining his new NCAA team for the 2027-28 season.

Guram is from Burnaby, and he was picked by the Blazers in the 2022 WHL Draft. He’s put up 27 points (six goals and 21 assists) in 97 WHL games over the past three seasons.

Isa Guram celebrates his overtime winner on Oct. 24, 2025. (Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

The trio of defencemen are the latest in a series of current Blazers with NCAA commitments following rule changes which allowed major junior players in Canada to retain their eligibility to play college hockey south of the border.

Blazers forward JP Hurlbert (Michigan), Cooper Moore (Augustana), Nathan Behm (Arizona State), Josh Evaschesen (RPI), Tommy Lafreniere (Western Michigan) along with defenceman Carson Olsen (UMass Lowell) have all committed to playing for NCAA teams.

The 18-14-4-4 Blazers are seventh in the WHL’s Western Conference heading into this weekend’s games against the Prince George Cougars and the Wenatchee Wild this Friday and Saturday (Jan. 16 and 17.)