Practice in the bubble — with one minor hitch.

There was one minor hitch for the Blazers before lst nights first practive.

Test results for head coach Shaun Clouston and assistant Brodi Stuart were late in coming back, so they were unable to be at the first practice.

It went ahead with all players and assistant coach Cory Clouston running thing.

Friday morning Blazers players entered the Sandman Centre for their second full team practice —- their first in more than a year was last night.

For safety reasons the general public, including the media, is not allowed in.

Athletic trainer Colin “Toledo” Robinson supplied us with a little inside the bubble video.

After 373 days since their last game, everyone is eager to get it going.

“Considering how long our team has been away from it and considering how many new players that we have, I thought it was excellent.” says Shaun Clouston. “I thought the pace was good, the attention to detail was good — a real solid practice.”

While the players were able to find ice time wherever they were during the long year long lull, a couple did get in some games.

Goaltender Dylan Garand was with Canada at the World Junior Championship, and then played in two games with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League.

Same for Connor Zary —- playing in the World Junior and then suiting up for nine games in February and this month with the American League Stockton Heat.

“I’ve been playing games — I played 17 games since December 26.” says Zary. “So when you look at it that way, it’s pretty lucky to be able to keep playing through all this. Yah for sure I think I’m a little ahead, but I think this training camp — the next five or six days — is going to be really good, for not only myself, but for everyone to get their legs back under them.”

Zary says that taste of pro hockey, in which he had seven points in nine games, spiked his thirst for more.

“Obviously you want to be at the highest level possible and especially when you feel like you’re excelling.” says Zary. “You want to play at that level and that’s where you want to be. But to get the chance to come back to Kamloops and play the last 24 games and most likely end out the junior career, it’s going to be pretty special and something I want to enjoy and take full advantage of.”

For Logan Stankoven there’s a lot at stake in the next two months.

The 17-year old Kamloops native is projected as a potential first round pick for the next NHL draft.

“Yah, it’s really important for me.” says Stankoven. “It’s short term competition. We only have 24 games, so we have to have a good start right off the bat and be ready to go.”

Yesterday one player on the Kelowna Rockets tested positive — and another was in close contact —- both have gone into quarantine.

Shaun Clouston says it’s a reminder to everyone to be vigilant.

“Our message which I believe is similar to the other teams is ‘hey, let’s do this’ It’s so far out of the norm, but we get to play hockey so let’s do the best we can.”

by Earl Seitz

Practice in the bubble — with one minor hitch.

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