Image Credit: Kamloops Blazers/Steve Dunsmoor
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS

Kuefler leads the way as Blazers’ offensive depth remains a strength

Mar 16, 2022 | 4:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — With 239 goals scored this season, the Kamloops Blazers have the second most potent offence in the WHL — behind only the Portland Winterhawks, who have scored 250. A big reason for those gaudy offensive numbers is the depth of the Blazers’ attack.

In his first two seasons in the WHL, Daylan Kuefler scored eight goals and added 16 assists. This year, the Stettler, Alberta native has scored 32 times for the Blazers — including a hat-trick last Saturday versus the Kelowna Rockets.

“You always want to have that individual success. You think about it growing up,” Kuefler tells CFJC Sports. “It’s pretty cool. It came quicker than I thought, for sure.”

Kuefler is one of three Blazers with more than 30 goals this season — Logan Stankoven and Luke Toporowski are the others. However, when you go down the stat sheet, there are eight other players who have tallied 11 times or more for the boys in blue and orange.

“It’s a credit to the organization,” Clouston says. “It’s a credit to the scouting staff. It’s a credit to the players.”

Matthew Seminoff is another player having a very solid season. With 24 goals and 27 assists, he’s fourth on the team in scoring. He sees the team’s success stemming from players up and down the roster committed to winning.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who can play all roles. I think it shows up,” Seminoff says. “We’ve got role guys who can score, we’ve got top guys who play penalty kill and block shots.”

For Clouston, that versatility is an example of the hard work his players have been putting in.

“If you look two years ago, Daylan Kuefler was an in and out guy. He didn’t dress for a lot of games in the first half of the season,” Clouston says. “Fast forward it two years, he’s worked extremely hard to get to that point. He’s a great example of what’s possible when you work at it.”

Part of the key to that success for ‘Keefs?’ Go to the net and reap the rewards.

“That’s where the puck always ends up,” Kuefler says. “I try and put myself in a position where I can get a stick on it or find a loose puck in front. I’ve had some success doing that, so far.”

With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Blazers hope the offence stays hot down the stretch.