WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers News

Published on January 23, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


Another week down...another week coming up. With this being the latter part of January and all, the games are becoming more and more important...and none moreso than this Friday's tilt against Vancouver. More on that later...

Last weekend started well for the boys...beating Spokane 3-1 on home ice. It was a great effort and well-deserved two points and a nice home debut for Geoff McIntosh, Rock Kozak, Josh Garbutt, and Derek Werenka. However, that's where the good news ended last weekend.

On Saturday night, we went into Kelowna with great expectations. They weren't fulfilled as we were beaten 4-1 at Skyreach Place. It wasn't a great game for the guys...but it was foreshadowing of things to come the following night.

On Sunday against Portland, nothing went right. The Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the first and cruised to a 4-0 win. We had chances to get back in the game in the second period, but Nathan Grochmal missed a penalty shot and Jonas Johansson rang one off the post one consecutive shifts...and that's as close as we came.

So, the guys went 1-2 on the weekend heading into Friday's big game against Vancouver.

The Giants and Medicine Hat Tigers comprise the opposition this weekend, with the Tigers coming in on Saturday. The Blazers are 2-3-2 against Vancouver and 2-0 against the Hat on the season.

Let's see you out on Friday night to help get our boys back on track!

At our Tip-A-Blazer Dinner on the 12th, we raised $778 dollars for the Elizabeth Fry Society. Thanks to the players to attended and to the Keg for being such cordial hosts for the event. We fully plan on doing it next year.

On Sunday morning, a few of the guys will be heading out to the Westsyde Outdoor Arena for about an hour to help open up their new "skate shack". If the weather cooperates, the guys will be out to play a little shinny. We should be out there about 9:30 or so.

Next up for the guys...three games next week...all on the road: in Prince George on Tuesday, Tri-Cities on Friday and Everett on Saturday. Follow all the action on Radio NL or on the internet.

Y'know...and on a completely different note...lots has been going on around the office...and much has been made of the fact the club is going through a challenging time off the ice.

All that is certainly true.

However, in talking with President Case van Diemen, he wanted me to pass along the word that he and the new Board of Directors are fully committed to getting things in order and moving the team forward. Yes, the team is dealing with some financial incongruities, but contrary to some (and there isn't a lot of it...but enough that it is worth dealing with) ill-informed speculation, innuendo, and nay-saying, the organization will survive and there are no issues that will get in the way of the team continuing to operate on a day-to-day basis.

The club is on stable financial footing, despite all that's gone on, and that's a testament to the support we've received from fans over the years...in fact since the birth of the franchise dating all the way back to 1981.

Blazer hockey is here to stay.

Maybe in the past we've been remiss in thanking you, the fans, for your loyal support and commitment to Blazer hockey. Everyone within the organization is very aware of what you mean to us.

Without you, we simply wouldn't be here. The overriding theme in what we are doing to move forward is to help return the team to the fans, in a figurative sense, and restore the pride people have toward the team. We want the passion back!

We want noise in the building, we want people to be excited about Blazer hockey again. However, we do realize that is best helped by a strong product on the ice.

Dean Clark, along with the rest of his on-ice staff and scouts is starting to rebuild that hate-to-lose, bleed-blue-and-orange attitude that made this team great. The players are starting to realize what it takes to be Blazers. All that combined can't be anything but good.

There have been on-ice ups and downs this season. But, young men are learning how to play the game at a very high level and learning how to succeed. There will be growing pains, and these young players need your support now more than any time at all...so they know they have the support they need to be successful.

I want to, on behalf of everyone in the organization, thank you for your support in the past. I want to welcome any support you can give us in the future. All of what the Blazers are about: pride, committment, success, professionalism, community spirit...all of that couldn't have been possible without you, and we won't be able to get back there as quickly without your help down the road.

Thank you for being a Blazer fan.

Anyhow...now that I'm off my soapbox...that'll do it for this week.

See ya later...and GO BLAZERS!

Kirk

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2004


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