Olen Zellweger celebrates his goal in Game 2 of the first round against Vancouver. The Blazers defenseman is tied for the WHL playoff scoring lead with teammate Logan Stankoven (Image Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers)

By Chad Klassen

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Blazers trades paying off in playoff run, as are Seattle’s

Apr 26, 2023 | 4:51 PM

KAMLOOPS — When the Blazers pulled the trigger on the franchise’s biggest trade ever, they got two great players in Olen Zellweger and Ryan Hofer.

They also paid a huge price, giving up 10 draft picks, including four first-rounders, and four players, but the return has far exceeded what they gave up.

That on top of the acquisition of defenseman Kyle Masters in the summer and Jakob Demek from Edmonton.

“Yeah, all those guys have been key for us. Even Zelly the other night with a seven-point night. That’s insane. You don’t see that from a defenseman too often,” said captain Logan Stankoven. “Hof’s heart and soul, a guy you can always rely upon. Masty’s been solid for us back there, too.”

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Zellweger in particular has been a difference-maker. Every time he’s on the ice, something happens. In 32 regular season games, he collected 52 points.

In the playoffs, he’s been a monster, tying the scoring lead with Logan Stankoven with 21 points in eight games — a nearly three-points-a-game average. He tied a Blazer playoff record for defenseman with seven points against Portland in a series-clinching Game 4 win last week.

“He does everything. He’s super helpful to our team. Plays almost half the game every night and competes super hard,” noted forward Fraser Minten. “Super competitive guy, works his butt off every day, so he’s great to be around.”

Zellweger added, “I’m just trying to be the best version of myself since I’ve got traded here and obviously I think so far I’ve been acclimated to the team pretty well and I’m looking to continue to play well and be the best version of myself during round three.”

For head coach and GM Shaun Clouston, who made the massive trade in January, Zellweger and Hofer in particular have produced. Hofer is averaging more than a point a game with 32 points in 30 games. But it’s also the intangibles that have made the two great acquisitions.

“The stuff that people don’t necessarily see. They’re both incredibly hard workers — in the weight room, during practices — they’re extremely competitive, which is something you need in the playoffs,” noted Clouston.

On the other side, Seattle loaded up as well, taking a flyer on Dylan Guenther, not knowing whether he’d return from the Arizona Coyotes. He was sent back down and has been very productive. He had 29 points in 20 games during the regular season and 11 points in eight playoff games.

“Any time you can add a player like that with that type of experience, not only the NHL experience but he’s got playoff experience from last year [WHL champion with Edmonton], world junior experience, being in the big games and the big moments,” Seattle head coach Matt O’Dette told CFJC Today.

“Being able to add a player like that with that experience has been great for us.”

The Thunderbirds also got Colton Dach from the Kelowna Rockets and Brad Lambert was returned from the Manitoba Moose and he put up 38 points in 26 games in the regular season. He has 16 points in six playoff games.

It’s going to be a handful, but the Blazers have great players themselves. The trades they made give them a shot to knock off a Seattle team that is also loaded with talent.