Bonkowski takes over as Kamloops Blazers’ captain

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Ryan Michael, who captained the Blazers last season, delivered the news to Bonkowski and the team in a video message. 

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“It was really special, especially with Mikey handing off the torch,” Bonkowski said. “You’ve seen the leaders and people who have come through here, so it’s really cool to be part of that group.” 

Bonkowski, who made an acceptance speech in front of teammates, said he tends to lead by example, but has worked to become a more vocal leader. 

“Some of them are a little bit more rah-rah, and some guys are pretty quiet,” Clouston said. “They just go about their business, but they’re still great leaders. He doesn’t need to do a whole lot different than what he’s doing.” 

Bonkowski said he is ready to be the voice of the team during media interviews when adversity arrives. 

“You’re going to come to the leaders and the guys wearing letters and the coaches, and it’s something I think I can handle,” he said. “It’s just part of the job.” 

The Blazers nabbed Bonkowski – a 5-foot-11, 177-pound forward from Richmond – in the sixth round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. 

He tallied 13 goals and 40 points in 64 games last season before an injury sidelined him for the playoffs. 

“He’s a really good person,” Clouston said. “He’s likeable. He’s got support from his teammates. He’s caring, he’s empathetic, so he has a bit of a feel for what’s going on in and around the team.” 

Clouston said most staff and players were aligned on Bonkowski’s captaincy potential at exit meetings at the end of last season. 

Nothing changed during the off-season, training camp and pre-season. 

“We’re in kind of in a transition here where we lost a lot of players,” Clouston said. “We want to make sure we pick guys who are team-oriented, doing the right thing consistently, care about their teammates and will be good examples of what we value.” 

Clouston is waiting to make a decision on alternate captains. 

“We’ve got some time and I think there’s some value in different players having an opportunity to wear a letter,” he said. “Do they change or do they understand that you can lead from any position on the team? Do they handle the responsibility of wearing a letter or does it get to them? Do they change? Do they understand that it’s really just the things they do on a daily basis that puts them in a situation to be considered as a leader?”