Josh Evaschesen (Image Credit: Brian Johnson Photography)

By Marty Hastings

STAYING OR GOING?

Clouston pitching NCAA-committed Blazers, encouraging return to WHL next season

Apr 2, 2026 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers are entering an off-season rife with uncertainty after being swept by the Kelowna Rockets in the first round of the WHL playoffs.

Some of their top forwards – including J.P. Hurlbert, Tommy Lafreniere, Nathan Behm, Cooper Moore and Josh Evaschesen – have committed to play in the NCAA ranks, but are eligible to return to the WHL next season.

“We don’t know anything for sure,” Blazers’ general manager and head coach Shaun Clouston said on Wednesday. “Whether we’ll get a final answer in the next couple days… that’s something we’ll address.”

The Blazers are conducting exit meetings on Thursday (April 2) and Friday at Sandman Centre.

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Removing bathroom doors at Barriere Secondary increases safety concerns

7h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: April 2, 2026

8h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Kamloops deserves the full story

Apr 01, 2026

“We’ve let everybody know we want everybody back here,” Clouston said. “We’ll be a real good team if everybody was to come back. I understand there are some enticements to leave and yet I think when you look at a series like this (the Round 1 sweep), yeah, there are some guys who could use some more development time in this league.”

Clouston said the NCAA ranks include older, bigger and more physical players and it can pay off to marinate in the WHL.

He said the development pathway in Kamloops to professional hockey is proven.

“Our goal is to have players stay an extra year, postpone that (going to college), or sign NHL contracts,” Clouston said.

“When you look at the number of players (graduated Blazers) in the NHL, it’s pretty awesome,” Clouston said. “We will turn the TV on and see one of our guys just about every night. We’ll do our best to convince guys this is the place they need to be next year.”