Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Marty Hastings

Kamloops Blazers

Blazers defence corps shaping up ahead of regular season

Sep 13, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Associate coach Don Hay is touting a much-improved Kamloops Blazers’ blue line ahead of the upcoming WHL season.

With a group of established returnees bolstered by the addition of veterans Layton Feist and Niko Tsakumis, most of the roster spots are spoken for on the back end. But several rookies plan on making the club think long and hard before reassigning them.

Neither Drydan Deobald nor Kadan Meyer have played a minute in the WHL. They would love to change that this season, but first must prove to the club it makes sense to keep them around.

“I think the younger guys like Deobald and Meyer are really learning — and it’s a big step for them,” said Hay. “They’re 16, they’re battling. Is there going to be room for them? Or do we go with a little bit of an older group, give them time to develop more at their own age group and come in next year? I think these next two games are really, really important for those young defencemen.”

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Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospect Harrison Brunicke is away at his pro club’s training camp and won’t play for the Blazers this weekend. Nineteen-year-old returnee Ryan Michael is hurt with an injury that is expected to keep him out of the lineup until the end of October.

The 6’4” Deobald sees a window of opportunity to make his case.

“I really want to be here,” Deobald told CFJC Today. “I just want to prove myself, take it day by day, work my hardest every day and prove that I can play in the [WHL] this year.”

Samuel Borschowa, Kalan Anderlini and Isa Guram have something Deobald and Meyer desperately want – WHL experience. Guram played in only 10 games last season but Hay said those minutes, along with strong work ethic and a productive summer, bode well for his 17-year-old campaign.

“I want to make the team really bad,” said Guram. “There are a lot of d-men here so there is lots of competition for a spot. I just try to show up every day, work hard and earn a spot here.”

The Blazers moved on from Czech import Vojtech Vochvest in the summer, but held onto his fellow countryman, Matteo Koci. He’ll be a key cog this season and is one of an abundance of left shots on the back end. Of the expected returnees, only Brunicke and Borschowa shoot right.

Lefties Deobald and Meyer have much to prove if they’re going to fit right in.

“Do they do things at a high tempo? Do they pass the puck hard? Do they finish their checks? Do they compete in the corners? Or do they get overmatched sometimes?” mused Hay. “I think you really have to evaluate them this weekend and see where they fit and see if keeping them here will help their development more so than sending them back and having them develop at their own age group.”

The Blazers will host the Cougars on Friday (Sept. 13), a 7:00 p.m. start on Mark Recchi Way. The rematch will take place on Saturday in Quesnel.