WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers in Prince Albert Tonight

Published on December 13, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


ROAD HEAVY SCHEDULE: The Kamloops Blazers are into their 33rd season in the Western Hockey League and the 30th season as the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers have a 7-21-2-2 record and won their last game ending a streak of games where the Blazers went 0-11-1-1. The hockey club is into their road heavy part of their schedule. The Blazers are in a stretch of playing seven straight games on the road and 12 of 13 on the road between December 8th and January 10th. The Blazers are on their bi-annual six-game road trip through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Blazers are 1-1-0-0 on their trip with a 5-2 loss in Brandon on Tuesday and a 4-3 shootout win in Regina. The Blazers will play tonight in Prince Albert, Saskatoon tomorrow night and Moose Jaw on Sunday. The Blazers will finish their road trip in Swift Current on Tuesday, December 17th.

Vs. Prince Albert - This Season (1-Game Series)

Game 1: 01/25/13, at Prince Albert 1, Kamloops 4

Blazers were 1-0-0-0 in season series

Vs. Prince Albert - This Season (1-Game Series)

Game 1: 12/13/13, at Prince Albert, Kamloops

Blazers are 0-0-0-0 in season series

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The Blazers roster currently sits at 24 players (3 goaltenders, 7 defensemen and 14 forwards). The roster includes 11 players selected in the WHL Bantam Draft, four players from the free agent list, eight players via trade, and one player selected from the CHL Import Draft. The roster breakdown by region includes nine from B.C., seven players from Alberta, four from Saskatchewan, two from Manitoba, one from Switzerland and one from the USA.

THE MATCH UP: The Blazers and Raiders will meet only once this season. Last year, the Blazers hosted the Raiders back on January 25, 2013 and beat the Raiders 4-1 in front of a sellout crowd. The last time the Blazers were in Prince Albert was two years ago to the day back on December 13, 2011 with the Blazers losing 5-2 to the Raiders.

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS 'Who to Watch': The Kamloops Blazers forwards have had three forwards that have led the way offensively this season. Cole Ully (12+2032), Matt Needham (7+1724) and Chase Souto (16+622) are guys entering their third and fourth seasons that are the offensive leaders. The 18-year-old Ully posted 22 goals and 50 points last season which got him drafted in the 5th round by the Dallas Stars. Needham is the team captain at only 18, and Chase Souto is the longest tenured Blazer playing his 200th game November 23rd. Tyson Ness (7+512) also joins that group of players expected to score for the Blazers after being acquired from Red Deer prior to the start of the season. The 20-year-old plays in all situations for the hockey club. Aspen Sterzer (12+1022) has emerged offensively already reaching career highs in all offensive categories. Collin Shirley (3+47) was acquired in the Tim Bozon trade and will have plenty of opportunity to play with good players and succeed. Joe Kornelsen, (2+35), Luke Harrison (3+03), and Carson Bolduc (2+13) make up the supporting cast for the Blazers and will need to contribute more. There is plenty of opportunity for the young forwards on the Blazers roster as Jesse Shynkaruk, (1+01) Eric Krienke, (2+02) Nathan Looysen (0+11) and Mitch Lipon (1+45) are all 17-year-olds looking to prove themselves. Nick Chyzowski (2+46) is the lone 16-year-old on the roster and has also earned additional ice time contributing already. On defence, the Blazers have some young players who will need to take on a bigger role this year. Sam Grist (1+45) is the oldest defenseman on the roster and has shown he is capable of leading a young group. Returnees Ryan Rehill (0+55) and Josh Connolly (6+1925) have done nothing but impress in their respective roles. Connolly has had a great start to the season reaching career highs in all offensive categories. Rehill has been able to shut down the opponents top players. Matt Thomas (0+11) is the newest addition to the group. At 18, he is a defensive minded defenseman. A trio of 17-year-olds are all looking to establish themselves this season. Jordan Thomson (0+77) will be in the line-up every night and will need to play in all situations. Edson Harlacher (0+11) was selected by the Blazers in the import draft and he has shown he has the tools to be a solid defender. Connor Clouston (0+11) spent some time with the Blazers last year. In goal, the Blazers have two 19-year-old options in returnee Taran Kozun (2-13-2-0, 3.89, .898) and acquired veteran Bolton Pouliot (5-7-0-1, 3.57, .899). Pouliot is currently out with an injury so 16-year-old Cole Kehler is with the Blazers backing up Kozun for the time being.

PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS 'Who to Watch': The Raiders have had an up and down year, but are in a strong playoff position in the WHL's Eastern Conference. Up front 18-year-old Leon Draisaitl is the man who has carried the offense this season. Draisaitl is expected to be an early first round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and has 50 points this season which is good for fifth in the WHL. After Darisaitl, there is a 20-point gap between the next highest forward on the Raiders roster. Dakota Conroy is the next highest forward with 15 goals and 29 points and 17-year-old Reid Gardner has had a solid sophomore season with 13 goals and 24 points. Jayden Hart has been part of the supporting cast for the Raiders with 24 points as well. The Raiders are waiting for fourth year forward Mike Winther to heat up to provide some secondary scoring. Carson Perreaux, Tim Vanstone, Chance Braid and Shane Danyluk all are veterans providing some secondary offense for the Raiders. Matteo Gennaro has been a pleasant surprise as a 16-year-old with 12 points already this season. Gage Quinney, Craig Leverton and Darcy Zaharichuk are other forwards on the roster. Josh Morrissey is the leader for the Raiders on defence with 13 goals and 35 points. Unfortunately, the NHL first round pick of the Winnipeg Jets is off to Canada's World Junior camp and will not play tonight. Sawyer Lange has pushed the offense from the backend with 21 points this season. Dylan Busenius and Mackenzie Johnston are both 20-year-old defenders. The two defenders also have the worst +/- on the team with -12 and -14 ratings this season. Others on defence include Tomas Andrlik, Brendan Guhle, Tyler Dea, and Mackenzie Stewart. In goal, the Blazers see an alumnus as 20-year-old Cole Cheveldave is between the pipes for the Raiders. The Blazers traded Cheveldave to Prince Albert over the summer for 15-year-old prospect Jake Kryski. He has played in 25 games this season and has 13 wins. Nick McBride is the 16-year-old back-up who has played in 12 games this season. McBride will play for Team Pacific at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge.

NHL DRAFT: Cole Ully (Dallas, 5th round, 131st overall in 2013).

INJURY REPORT: Bolton Pouliot, Upper Body, 4-6 weeks, Joe Kornelsen, Upper Body, 1 week.Man games lost due to injury - 16.

DID YOU KNOW... Collin Shirley and Matt Thomas were acquired from the Kootenay Ice on October 22nd... Connor Clouston is the son of current Medicine Hat Tigers GM/Head Coach Shaun Clouston and the nephew of current Prince Albert Raiders Head Coach Cory Clouston... Ryan Rehill and Edson Harlacher were both mentioned in Central Scouting Prospect Watch as 'C' prospects... Nick Chyzowski has been named to Team Pacific for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge... 18-year-old Matt Needham was named the Kamloops Blazers captain... Needham is the youngest Blazers captain since Ajay Baines was named team captain as an 18-year-old in 1996-97 season... Nick Chyzowski scored his first two WHL goals on November 2nd against the Vancouver Giants... The Blazers acquired 20-year-old Tyson Ness from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a 3rd round WHL Bantam Draft pick in 2014 in September... Head Coach Dave Hunchak is entering his 10th season in the Western Hockey League after serving three years in Swift Current as an Assistant Coach, four years in Moose Jaw as a Head Coach, and the past two years as an Associate Coach with the Kamloops Blazers... Associate Coach Mark Ferner is entering his second stint with the Blazers after serving as an Assistant, Associate and Head Coach with the Blazers from 2002-2006... Mitch Lipon is the younger brother of former Blazers forward JC Lipon... Matt Needham's father Mike played for the Blazers from 1986-1990... Nick Chyzowski's father Dave played for the Blazers from 1987-1990...

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2013


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