By Chad Klassen

Strange hoping to build off ‘great experience’ at Avalanche camp

Sep 19, 2018 | 1:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — Sean Strange is hoping to take on an expanded role under new head coach Serge Lajoie. The 18 year old from Victoria got a taste of what it’s like to have to elevate his game, taking part in Colorado Avalanche prospects camp. 

“It was a real great experience. I had a lot of fun. It was a real eye-opener for how hard and how fast you have to do everything,” said Strange, who had eight assists in 52 games last season with the Blazers. “Every guy wants to make it to that next level, so everyone’s always working hard. You can’t take any days off because you take a day off and somebody will take your spot.”

Strange has come back to Kamloops with a new appreciation of how the game should be played as a defenseman. 

“Everything’s got to be hard. You can’t hestitate on anything,” he noted. “That first pass has always got to be right away. If you hesitate, you might turn the puck over and they could score a goal.”

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Short-term rental rules coming into effect in British Columbia

8h ago

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Board may as well not have asked public about school's name

13h ago

Lajoie says going to an NHL camp exposes flaws in a young player’s game that he can then improve on. 

“We’re hopeful that some good lessons were learned there for Sean and it was a good experience and he brings that experience back,” said Lajoie, who’s set to coach in his first WHL regular season game on Friday. “Every single one of our players, whether you’re a first year or fourth year or fifth year, you’re going to be expected to lead and contribute. This is a good opportunity for Sean to take a step forward from his role last year and show some leadership.”

Lajoie will encourage Strange to utilize his strength more this season, and that is his skating ability. 

“If you have a God-given talent, use it,” he said. “I like his ability to move around, with and without the puck, and I think that’s where you have to start. He’s at his best when he moves his feet, when he’s urgent, when he’s getting back to loose pucks. That’s what I expect from him.”

For his part, Strange is hoping to use his flashy skating to have a good season and get noticed in his draft year, whether it’s from Colorado or another team.