By Chad Klassen

Zary getting back to his scoring ways

Feb 21, 2019 | 8:15 AM

KAMLOOPS — Connor Zary burst onto the scene last year as an up-and-coming 16 year old that brought excitement and hope to the Blazer fan base. He ended scoring 11 goals and 18 assists in his rookie year.

A lot was expected of him coming in this season, and the Saskatoon native admits the high expectations mainly came from within. He wasn’t happy with his start, tallying four points in the first eight games, but he’s developing into the top-notch scorer he envisioned when he was drafted into the league. 

“It’s just good to see the puck go into the net,” said Zary. “I’ve had some struggles here and there putting the puck in, but now it’s going in for me. It’s a good feeling. I just think we’ve been playing good as a team, and all my linemates, Kobe Mohr and Jermaine Loewen, have helped me a lot and I just think it’s good we’re getting rewarded for our efforts.”

Zary has 10 points in his last six games, including six goals. His hat-trick performance on Feb. 13 led Kamloops to a 6-1 win over Victoria. He scored another two in the Family Day victory against Tri-City. 

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“It’s nice to see Connor rewarded for the work he’s put in,” said his head coach Serge Lajoie. “Obviously the fans see the results of how he’s playing in games. We’ve seen it in practice, whether it’s before practice or after practice, what he does to prepare himself. 

Lajoie added, “A lot of times, it’s that shoot and get it back mentality. Put pucks on net, create rebounds. What I like about Connor is he’s just slinging pucks on net, and playing with Jermaine, you know that Jermaine is going to be in and around the net. That’s helped Connor as well.”

For a team that struggles to score goals, 17th out of 22 teams in the WHL in the goals-for department, Zary’s recent hot streak has been welcome. 

But it’s not a fluke by any stretch. He’s a goal scorer. The 17-year-old notched 44 goals in his final year of bantam in Saskatoon. 

After adjusting to a faster Western Hockey League, Zary says he’s more comfortable now and getting back to his goal scoring ways. 

“Obviously coming to a harder league with older guys, you kind of still want to be that guy,” said Zary. “But you kind of know you’ve got to be realistic with yourself. You’re not going to get 40 goals in your first year that you might have had in bantam. But I just try to keep the confidence and I know that I can still be that goal-scorer, so it’s just nice to see the puck go in.”

There are players in the game that breathe hockey all the time. Zary is one of those guys, always hungry to learn and get better. 

“Connor has definitely committed himself, if that’s the right word, to doing what he can to best prepare himself, and he’s taken ownership on his development,” said Lajoie. “We talk about professionalism or personal responsibility. That’s very high with Connor.”

Blazers fans have up to three more years to watch Zary continue to grow and develop into a top-end player in the WHL.