Clouston, Blazers look ahead to WHL season ahead of home opener

The veteran-laden Royals are among B.C. Division favourites. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Sandman Centre.

CFJC Today dropped by the rink on Thursday (Sept. 17).

Clouston did not say who will start between the pipes this weekend, but noted his club is leaning toward 19-year-old incumbent Logan Edmonstone.

“He’s a veteran guy and had a great season for us and has potentially earned the opportunity to play in the home opener,” Clouston said.

Kaeden Tate, 17, is pushing for time in the crease.

Kim, whose flashy training camp Michigan goal turned heads across the hockey world, has cracked the Blazers’ roster, said Clouston.

That means Kamloops will ice four highly touted 16-year-old players this season, including Kim, Teagen Bouchard, Brady Ondrus and Mateo Ferreira.

“That’s the decision we’ve made,” Clouston said. “Partly decision, but partly because we lose players. What do you do? Are you just going to go and add a whole bunch of older players? We’re kind of turning the page here a little bit. We started last season by moving some returning players out.”

Clouston said he will gauge his team’s competitiveness over the next month-and-a-half.

“Can we be right in the thick of things?” he said. “Guys can take big steps. We have signs of that. With as young as we are, there is some risk.”

The departures of J.P. Hurlbert, Nathan Behm and Tommy Lafreniere to the NCAA ranks, Josh Evaschesen to the Medicine Hat Tigers and Jordan Keller to graduation created a 388-point hole in the offence.

No player on the 2026-2027 roster as of Thursday has compiled more than 40 points in a single WHL campaign, so Kamloops may find it difficult to fill the void.

Veterans have been challenged to lead the way.

Can Nemis make a successful jump from the Junior A ranks? Will overager Cooper Moore excel in his sophomore season in the league?

“It’s not like you have more rights just because you’re older,” Clouston said. “In some ways, it’s the opposite. It’s more responsibility.”

Can 18-year-old Ty Bonkowski take the next step? Will Andrew Thomson and Coupland, both 19, be difference-makers? Is injury-plagued European import Vit Zahejsky, 19, primed to reach his potential?

“It’s going to be our third or fourth year in the league,” said Bonkowski, the Richmond product who is among captaincy candidates. “It’s going to be a big year for us and we’re going to need to help take charge.”

Zahejsky said he feels poised for a breakout season.

“It’s really important this season for me to show the people who drafted me the player [I am] and I think I’m 100 per cent ready,” he said.

On Saturday, he will join the Thomson River Line, slotting in alongside Thomson and River Arnason, both of whom earned praise from Clouston.

“You kind of cross your fingers because we do lose a lot of players, and you need players to step in and step up,” Clouston said, noting Thomson has transformed his physique and looks to have more strength and jump. “Both of those guys have done that.”

Added Arnason: “Yeah, I love the line, I’m loving playing with them, love the name. It’s been great that we can find chemistry. Hopefully, we keep building off that.”

Bright days appear to be ahead up front, with 17-year-olds Jacob Dumansky (who performed well in the playoffs last season) and Asher Gingras anxious to prove their major-junior chops in 2026-2027, along with Kim, Bouchard and Ondrus.

“I think it’s a year I could really make an impact,” Bouchard said. “Obviously, I’m 16, but I’m not going to use that as an excuse. I’m a smaller guy, but kind of like to play big-boy hockey.”

There is continuity on the back end, with 19-year-old Isa Guram taking a leadership role in a group that includes five returnees.

“I don’t think we’re as top-heavy this year,” Guram said. “It’s a little more spread out, so I think everyone’s going to have to chip in a little more.”

Stars’ draft pick Cherepanov has impressed Clouston, the Russian import showing promise since arriving in August.

“He’s a good player, fairly direct and simple. He breaks pucks out and he’s competitive,” Clouston said. “His teammates like him.”

Ferreira seems likely to turn heads in his 16-year-old season, the 11th overall pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft showing poise beyond his years.

“They went through a little bit of a rough stretch there, but I feel like these past couple of drafts have been really good,” Ferreira said. “We’ve got a lot of young talent that’s going to make footsteps into the league and, hopefully, help our team out as much as they can.”

Guram, Olsen, Joaquin Geras and Madden Tymchak, both 17, and Dryden Deobald, 18, are among blueline returnees. Rookie Liam Kilfoil, 17, joins them.

Clouston said it is mandatory that all of his players show up on time and ready to compete, bring a good attitude, work hard, pay attention, buy into team structure and play fast.

“The tough part is to say, ‘Okay, how far does that take us?’” Clouston said. “Does that put us in the hunt or a little bit higher or a little bit lower? That is tricky. I really like the energy. It’s still early, but there have been some really good signs.”

by Marty Hastings

Clouston, Blazers look ahead to WHL season ahead of home opener

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