Blazers welcome import Justin Sigrist (Switzerland)

Aug 25, 2017 | 2:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — Camp is underway for the Kamloops Blazers — starting with the rookies —- the draft picks, prospects and free agents the first two days.

Mostly it’s an exercise to get a look at the future and give those players a look at what a major junior camp is all about.

A few will be kept for the main camp, which starts Sunday, but the majority will be either released or sent back to their minor hockey teams.

A year ago the Blazers hit a home run when they were able to snag Rudolfs Balcers with the 41st overall pick in the Canadian Hockey League import draft.

Balcers, who became an instant star in the league, has signed with San Jose, and at 20 years old is expected to turn pro.

So the Blazers went out and used their pick in this years import draft to take Justin Sigrist from Switzerland.

The 5′ 11″ 166 pound forward admits he’s not the biggest player but “fast, playmaker, who loves to shoot and score goals.”

Sigrist had 9 goals and 31 points in 41 points with his team in the Swiss junior “A” elite league last season.

He also played with Switzerland at this springs Under-18 World Championship.