With good young core, Blazers don’t feel they have to go ‘all in’ for Memorial Cup next season

One area Kamloops will need to focus on is defense. The team loses co-captain Quinn Schmiemann and Viktor Persson. It will be a group with Ethan Brandwood becoming the veteran next year as a 20 year old.

There will also be a gapping hole to fill in the net. Dylan Garand has told CFJC Today he likely won’t return for his 20-year-old season.

“I think I’m moving on. It’s not 100 per cent, but it’s pretty much 100 per cent that I won’t be back,” said the reigning WHL Goaltender of the Year. “Moving on to start my pro career. Pretty excited for that. Definitely grateful for my four yeras here, but I’m ready to move on.”

Forward Fraser Minten noted, “Without G, it’ll be a big loss, but I think we’ve got depth in our organization with goalies. Give someone an opportunity to step up and have a big role next year.”

The crease, for now, is Dylan Ernst’s, but the Blazers aren’t committing 100 per cent to him as the starter and the guy to lead them to a Memorial Cup.

“I think you evaluate it. Could he be ready? Yeah,” said Clouston. “I don’t think he’s in the same situation that Garand was in after 17 years old. He did get on the latest NHL Central Scouting list. I think he’s a prospect. He has the potential to be a No. 1 goalie next year.”

There’s also some uncertainty around local superstar Logan Stankoven, who will try to crack the Dallas Stars roster as a 19 year old.

Given that Stankoven can’t play in the American Hockey League as a 19 year old, it’s either he makes the Stars or is sent back to Kamloops.

“Yeah, I think I will be [back], but at the end of the day I want to move onto the next level. I want to play pro hockey as fast as possible,” said Stankoven. “I’ve seen some of my peers like Cole Sillinger playing with Columbus, guys like Mason McTavish had a stint there with Anaheim. I really want to try and push for a spot on Dallas.”

Some previous Memorial Cup hosts, namely the Saskatoon Blades in 2013, have gone all in on the big tournament, but also have given up their future to do it.

The Blazers, with the good young core they have, don’t feel they’re in the same position. It’s just a matter of tweaking the roster as opposed to a complete overhaul.

“I think there was more roster moves [Saskatoon] felt like they had to make than what we feel we have to make. So there was a major influx of players. There wasn’t just two or three players that were added. There was a large group, and I think there’s a risk with that,” said Clouston. “We have a real strong team culture here. I think that’s important, so you mentioned some areas that we believe we can improve, but we’re not looking for a No. 1 centreman.”

by Chad Klassen

With good young core, Blazers don’t feel they have to go ‘all in’ for Memorial Cup next season

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