(Image Credit: Kamloops Blazers)
Gavin Nemis

Blazers sign 20-year-old BCHL forward Nemis

Jun 11, 2026 | 11:49 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers have snagged another player from the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) ahead of the 2026-27 Western Hockey League (WHL) season. 

In a news release issued Thursday (June 11), the Blazers announced they have signed 2006-born forward Gavin Nemis, noting they added him to their Player Protected List in May 2026. 

In his first BCHL season in 2025-26, Nemis scored 20 goals and 48 points in 50 games, helping his Cowichan Valley Capitals secure the top seed in the Coastal Conference. Nemis added one goal and five points in 10 playoff games as the Capitals fell to the Nanaimo Clippers in seven games in the second. 

Nemis is the second BCHL player the Blazers have signed in the offseason, adding 2008-born forward River Arnason in May. 

Along with Nemis, the Blazers have two other 2006-born players. Forward Cooper Moore told CFJC Today he will return to the Blazers for the 2026-27 season, despite being committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Augustana University, while defenceman Carson Olsen is also eligible to return. Olsen is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 

Two other 2006-born players who suited up for the Blazers in 2026-27 will not return next season. Defenceman Harrison Brunicke will play for the Pittsburgh Penguins or their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre Scranton while forward Josh Evaschesen recently announced he will begin his collegiate career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the NCAA Division I ranks. 

WHL teams are allowed to carry a maximum of three overage players, also known as 20-year-old players, on their roster during the season.