Blazers in Edmonton Tonight
December 10, 2014 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
ON THE ROAD: The Kamloops Blazers franchise is in their 34th season in the Western Hockey League and the 31st season as the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers have a record of 12-15-3-2 through 32 games this season. The Blazers finished off a five-game home stand over the last two weeks and are now on the road for eight straight games starting tonight. The Blazers will play all six Central Division teams during their trip prior to Christmas. The Blazers will have a Christmas break from December 18th to 26th.
Vs. Edmonton - This Season (2-Game Series)
Game 1: 11/08/13, vs. Edmonton 5, Kamloops 0
Game 2: 02/05/14, vs. Edmonton 4, Kamloops 1
Blazers are 0-2-0-0 in season series Vs. Edmonton - This Season (2-Game Series)
Game 1: 10/05/14, at Edmonton 2, Kamloops 6
Game 3: 12/10/14, at Edmonton, Kamloops
Blazers are 1-0-0-0 in season series
BY THE NUMBERS: Matt Needham played his 200th WHL game on November 7th in Tri-City... Quinn Benjafield scored his first career WHL goal on November 8th in Portland... Mike Winther played his 250th WHL game on November 7th in Tri-City... Cole Ully recorded his 100th WHL assist on November 7th in Tri-City... Matt Needham is 6 assists shy of 100 in his WHL career and 1 goal shy of 50 in his WHL career... Josh Connolly played his 150th WHL game on November 28th against Regina... Logan McVeigh has played the most WHL games of any player on the roster with 288... McVeigh has also played for 5 WHL teams including Kamloops (twice), Prince Albert, Medicine Hat and Regina... Forward Collin Shirley has 10 points in his last 9 games... Forward Cole Ully has points in 22 of the 29 games he has played... Nolan Kneen recorded his first WHL assist in his first game back on October 1st vs. Swift Current.
THE MATCH UP: The Blazers and Oil Kings are meeting for the second of two games this season. These two teams met twice last season in Kamloops with the Blazers losing 5-0 and 4-1. In the first meeting this season back on October 3rd, the Blazers won 6-2 over the Oil Kings in Edmonton.
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS 'Who to Watch': The Kamloops Blazers offensive leaders start with Cole Ully (13+2942) and Matt Needham (10+2434). They are the longest tenured Blazers up front. 20-year-old Mike Winther (6+915) was acquired from the Calgary Hitmen and has added some offense to the hockey club. The trade acquisitions last season of Collin Shirley (7+1118) and Matt Revel (12+1022) have added some secondary scoring to rely on for the Blazers. 20-year-old Logan McVeigh (5+712) was added for depth up front to provide depth and leadership along with Luke Harrison (6+39). Sophomore forward Nick Chyzowski (3+25) will still have time to fine tune his game and be counted on as a two-way player. Jake Kryski (7+714) and Deven Sideroff (12+1123) are a pair of skilled rookies who play amongst the Blazers top six forwards. Jesse Zaharichuk (1+56), Matt Campese (2+02), Jermaine Loewen (0+00) and Quinn Benjafield (1+22) are both 16-year-old forwards on the roster. On defence, the Blazers have had some big changes from last season. The additions of 20-year-old Brady Gaudet (1+56), 19-year-old import Michael Fora (4+1519) and 18-year-old import Patrik Maier (3+25) has added size and offense to the defense. Gaudet is a fifth year player who started his WHL career in Kamloops. He will be counted on to add leadership in the dressing room and to play in all situations. Fora and Maier are two additions that have made the transition to the WHL quicker than most import players due to their physical stature and age. 19-year-olds Ryan Rehill (2+79) and Josh Connolly (4+1822) have been solid for the Blazers. Connor Clouston (0+11) has had opportunity to fit into the top-6 and play a regular shift. Cam Reagan (0+11) and Travis Verveda (0+11) are both capable 17-year-old players that will need to establish themselves to earn ice time. In goal, Cole Kehler (3-7-2-0, 4.03, .882) returns after spending part of last season with the Blazers as a 16-year-old. Kehler has had two very good seasons with the Okanagan Hockey Academy Midget Prep team. Connor Ingram (5-6-1-2, 3.04, .900) is the other 17-year-old goaltender on the Blazers roster.
EDMONTON OIL KINGS 'Who to Watch': The Oil Kings are coming off a WHL and Memorial Cup Championship last season and have a turnover on their roster. Up front, veteran Brett Pollock leads the team in scoring with 28 points. With Edgars Kulda healthy, he is heavily counted on by the Oil Kings. Players like Mads Eller, Cole Benson, and Luke Bertolucci were all important forwards for the Oil Kings last season. They have a more offensive role this season. Some young players that have been good for the Oil Kings include Andrew Koep and Tyler Robertson. They both continue to pile up points for the Oil Kings. Second year forward Lane Bauer has had a solid season with 21 points and a +21 through 31 games. Other veterans include Brandon Baddock, Mitchell Walter, and Brandon Ralph. Davis Koch is a 16-year-old rookie up front and Brayden Brown, Garan Magnes round out the Oil Kings forwards. On defense, Ashton Sautner and Blake Orban are the two 20-year-old veterans. Sautner is the team captain and was a key part of last season's championship. He leads the Oil Kings with 26 points and a +19 this season. Dysin Mayo and Aaron Irving were also solid players for the Oil Kings as 17-year-olds last season. Both were selected in the NHL Draft and both have a larger role for the Oil Kings this year. Ben Carroll, Jesse Mills and Jake Kohlhauser are the other defensemen on the roster. In goal, the Oil Kings have a solid duo in 19-year-old Tristan Jarry and 17-year-old Patrick Dea. Jarry is a second round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins and was the starter last season. Dea is a first year goaltender, but is understanding what it takes to be an everyday goalie in the WHL.
NHL DRAFT: Cole Ully (Dallas, 5th round, 131st overall in 2013), Ryan Rehill (New Jersey, 5th round, 131st overall in 2014).
INJURY REPORT: Brady Gaudet, Upper Body, week-to-week. Man games lost due to injury - 30.
DID YOU KNOW ... Don Hay is 2nd in franchise history behind Ken Hitchcock (291) with 155 career regular season wins... Hay is 2nd all-time in WHL history behind Ken Hodge (742) with 620 regular season wins... Cole Ully suited up for Team WHL in the Subway Super Series and recorded a goal and an assist in 2 games... 20-year-old Mike Winther was acquired in late September from the Calgary Hitmen... 20-year-old Logan McVeigh was picked up on waivers in October from Regina... Brady Gaudet and Logan McVeigh were selected by the Blazers in the first and second round of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft... 16-year-old forward Jake Kryski was acquired from the Prince Albert Raiders back in July 10, 2013 for former goaltender Cole Cheveldave... Collin Shirley and Matt Revel were both acquired last season in exchange for former players Tim Bozon and Jordan Thomson... Jermaine Loewen was born in Jamaica and has only been playing hockey for six years... Jake Kryski competed for Canada - Team Red at the U-17 World Challenge in Sarnia earlier this month and recorded 5 points in 5 games... Matt Needham's father Mike played for the Blazers from 1986-1990... Nick Chyzowski's father Dave played for the Blazers from 1987-1990...
Western Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2014
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- Wheat Kings Helping Out The Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Preview: Regina Pats at Swift Current Broncos - Regina Pats
- Fonteyne, Lotz Key Shootout Win at Tri-City - Everett Silvertips
- Silvertips Edge Americans in Shootout 4-3 - Tri-City Americans
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