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 | With the 2013-14 Western Hockey League campaign now underway, we begin our rundown of every WHL team, with today's focus being on the Western Conference's B.C. Division and the Kamloops Blazers. | | Kamloops - September 20, 2013 - Up Front: Kamloops returns four of their top eight scorers from last season, including 36-goal man Tim Bozon, who will be counted on heavily for offensive production. The graduation of top point-getters like Colin Smith, JC Lipon and Brendan Ranford leaves the door open for others to step into greater roles in the attack.
18-year-old Cole Ully put up 22 goals and 50 points in a supporting role last season. The Dallas Stars prospect should be able to up those totals this season with an expanded role. 18-year-old Matt Needham and 19-year-old Chase Souto will also be counted on to fill key offensive holes this season. The addition of 20-year-old veteran Tyson Ness will add leadership and strong two-way play to the Blazers’ forward contingent.
On The Blue Line: 20-year-old Sam Grist heads up a Blazers’ defence corps that lost several key veterans from last year’s team. Grist, a Saanich, B.C., product, led all Blazers’ rearguards with a +36 rating last season, and put up a respectable 23 points. He and fellow veteran Landon Cross will need to provide stability and leadership for the Blazers’ back end. Sophomore Jordan Thomson, the 4th overall pick from the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, is primed for a much bigger role while fellow sophomores Josh Connolly and Ryan Rehill will also be counted on to take on more responsibility.
Goaltending: The Blazers sent Cole Cheveldave, their starter for the past two seasons, to Prince Albert during the off-season, leaving 19-year-old sophomore Taran Kozun as the top choice in goal this season. Kozun posted a 2.36 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 20 appearances last season, showing he’s capable of providing steady goaltending. The acquisition of 19-year-old Bolton Pouliot from Red Deer during pre-season gives the Blazers another option in goal.
Player to Watch: Cole Ully
Ully spent his first two WHL campaigns with the Blazers playing behind the likes of Colin Smith, Brendan Ranford, Chase Schaber and JC Lipon. Now, as a third-year veteran, Ully is ready to become a go-to guy in the Blazers’ offense. Drafted by the Dallas Stars this past June, Ully has the offensive tools to be an impact player for the Blazers this season. The Calgary, AB, product has good speed, skill and vision, and can be effective on both the power play and penalty kill. Coming off a season that saw him put up 22 goals and 50 points in a supporting role, Ully should be able to boost those numbers this year in an expanded role.
General Manager: Craig Bonner
Head Coach: Dave Hunchak
2013 pre-season: 1-4-0-0
2012-13 Record: 47-20-2-3, 99pts (2nd in B.C. Div., 3rd in Western Conf.) GF: 261 GA: 180
2012-13 Power Play / Penalty Killing ranking: PP: 21.4% (T-6th); PK: 83.4% (7th)
2013 Playoffs: Lost in five games to Portland in Western Conference Championship series
2012-13 Top Scorers:
Colin Smith: (72gp-41g-65a-106pts), Tim Bozon: (69gp-36g-55a-91pts), JC Lipon: (61gp-36g-53a-89pts)
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