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WHL Kamloops Blazers

Blazers on the Road in Kelowna

December 28, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


THE SECOND HALF: The Kamloops Blazers franchise is in their 35th season in the Western Hockey League and the 32nd season as the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers are fourth in the B.C. Division and 7th in the Western Conference with a 17-12-3-1 record this season. The hockey club has played only 33 games this season, which is the lowest in the WHL. The Blazers schedule picks up this week as they play five games in seven nights this week. In total, the Blazers will play 14 games in January and 14 more in February. The Blazers finished an East Division road trip with a 5-1-0-0 record before the Christmas break and lost 2-1 at home last night. Following tonight's game, the Blazers will host the Victoria Royals for games on December 30th and January 1st.

Vs. Kelowna - This Season (8-Game Series)

Game 1: 09/25/15, at Kelowna 4, Kamloops 3

Game 2: 09/26/15, vs. Kelowna 7, Kamloops 3

Game 3: 11/18/15, vs. Kelowna 4, Kamloops 3 OT

Game 4: 12/27/15, vs. Kelowna 2, Kamloops 1

Game 5: 12/28/15, at Kelowna, Kamloops

Game 6: 03/04/16, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops

Game 7: 03/05/16, at Kelowna, Kamloops

Game 8: 03/11/16, at Kelowna, Kamloops

Blazers are 0-3-1-0 in season series

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The Blazers roster currently sits at 23 players (2 goaltenders, 8 defensemen and 13 forwards). The roster includes 12 players selected in the WHL Bantam Draft, six players via trade, three players from the free agent list, and two players selected from the CHL Import Draft. The roster breakdown by region includes 10 players from B.C., four from Alberta, five from Saskatchewan, one from Manitoba, one from USA, one from Slovakia, and one from Czech Republic. There are 16 WHL veterans on the roster and seven WHL rookies.

BY THE NUMBERS: Matt Needham is the Blazers longest tenured player first suiting up for the hockey club during the 2010-11 season and has played 280 career games with the Blazers... Ryan Rehill is 17th all-time on the Blazers penalty minute list with 472 career minutes... Matt Needham collected his 200th career point with an assist on November 27th in Prince George... Matt Revel recorded his 100th career WHL point with an assist versus Victoria on October 21st... Collin Shirley recorded his first career 5-point game versus Prince George on November 15th... Gage Quinney recorded his first career WHL hat-trick versus Prince George on November 15th...

THE MATCH UP: The Blazers and Rockets are meeting eight times this season. The Rockets have taken the first four games of the season series. They won back-to-back games in the WHL's opening weekend of a home-and-home series. They also beat the Blazers in overtime back on November 18th and last night 2-1 in Kamloops. These two teams will meet three more times in March.

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS 'Who to Watch': The Kamloops Blazers forwards are led by veteran players Matt Needham (8+220), Deven Sideroff (9+16%), Collin Shirley (21+19@) and Gage Quinney (15+249) Matt Revel (9+16%). Quinney was acquired from the Kelowna Rockets in October. Needham, Shirley and Revel are all players entering their fourth or fifth seasons in the WHL. Nick Chyzowski (10+5) is in his third WHL season and has provided secondary scoring in a more prominent role. Jake Kryski (6+13) and Quinn Benjafield (3+8) are in their second seasons as 17-year-olds. They have proved to be regular contributors. Matt Campese (3+3=6) has stepped into a larger role this season moving up and down the line-up. Jermaine Loewen (3+3=6) still has time to grow and develop. Garrett Pilon (9+13"), Spencer Bast (2+4=6) and Erik Miller (1+1=2) are all in their first seasons with the hockey club. Pilon has been terrific as a versatile player moving up and down the line-up. Ryan Rehill (4+12) is the elder statesmen in his fourth and final season in the WHL. Dallas Valentine (2+9) was acquired from Moose Jaw in October. He has given the hockey club a veteran presence. 19-year-old import Patrik Maier (2+1=3) is in his second season with the hockey club. He is currently unavailable as he participates in Team Slovakia's Under-20 camp for the World Junior Championships in Finland. Cam Reagan (0+2=2) had limited ice time last season, but has started to play regularly this year. Dawson Davidson (4+17!) has impressed as a 17-year-old playing well at both ends of the ice. Ondrej Vala (3+6=9) is the hockey club's newest import player from the Czech Republic. The 17-year-old possesses size at 6'4" and a solid two-way game. Nolan Kneen (1+4=5) and Conner McDonald (0+1=1) are a pair of 16-year-olds that are in their first season of patrolling the backend. In goal, Connor Ingram solidified himself as the Blazers starter last season and the 18-year-old is continuing his strong play. Dylan Ferguson has earned the back-up role and the 17-year-old has impressed in his opportunities this season.

KELOWNA ROCKETS 'Who to Watch': The Rockets had a great first half as they lead the WHL standings with a 26-9-1-0 record. Tyson Baillie is a 20-year-old into his fifth WHL season and leads the WHL in scoring with 24 goals and 58 points. The Rockets are dealing without forwards Rourke Chartier (Canada), Tomas Soustal (Czech Republic) and Calvin Thurkauf (Switzerland) due to the World Junior Championships in Finland. The Rockets still have some dynamic threats in 17-year-old Dillon Dube and 18-year-old Nick Merkley. Dube is a point-per-game player and Merkley was one of the final cuts for Canada's World Junior team. Cole Linakar is a 20-year-old into his fourth season with the franchise. Justin Kirkland is another drafted player that will contribute offensively. Rodney Southam and converted defenseman Riley Stadel have pivotal roles for the Rockets. Tate Coughlin and Tanner Wishnowski are both 18-year-old forwards. Kole Lind and Jordan Borstmayer are all first year forwards. Lind is having a solid rookie season with 26 points. On the backend, the Rockets are young. They have a trio in veterans that all played key minutes last season. Lucas Johansen, Devante Stephens and Joe Gatenby are all only 18, but are counted on to be the leaders. Cal Foote is a talented first year player from Denver and the son of former NHLer Adam Foote. Gordie Ballhorn is an 18-year-old rookie that played in the AJHL last season. Danny Gatenby is the younger brother of Joe Gatenby, and 17-year-old Braydyn Chizen make up the backend. In goal, the Rockets are solid as they return 20-year-old starter Jackson Whistle and 19-year-old Michael Herringer. Both are veteran goaltenders with experience.

NHL DRAFT: Ryan Rehill (New Jersey, 5th round, 131st overall in 2014), Deven Sideroff (Anaheim, 3rd round, 84th overall in 2015).

INJURY REPORT: Gage Quinney, Lower Body, TBD, Dallas Valentine, Upper Body, TBD. Man games lost due to injury - 38.

DID YOU KNOW... Don Hay is 2nd in franchise history behind Ken Hitchcock (291) with 188 career regular season wins... Hay is 2nd all-time in WHL history behind Ken Hodge (742) with 653 regular season wins... Stu MacGregor took over as the Blazers General Manager on October 13th as Craig Bonner stepped down to become a Pro Scout with the Dallas Stars... Gage Quinney was acquired from the Kelowna Rockets on October 14th in exchange for a 3rd round draft pick... Forwards Collin Shirley and Deven Sideroff played for Team WHL at the CHL Canada Russia Series... Shirley had a team leading five points and Sideroff had two points in two games... Defenseman Nolan Kneen played for Canada's Under-17 National Team at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek in October/November... Defenseman Ryan Rehill (New Jersey), Forward Deven Sideroff (Anaheim), and goaltender Connor Ingram (Detroit) all attended NHL training camps in September... Kamloops hosted the second game of the CHL Canada vs. Russia Series on November 10th with Team WHL beating Team Russia 4-2... Jermaine Loewen was born in Jamaica and has only been playing hockey for seven years... Matt Needham's father Mike played for the Blazers from 1986-1990... Nick Chyzowski's father Dave played for the Blazers from 1987-1990... Patrik Maier is with Team Slovakia for the Under-20 World Junior Championships in Finland.

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