Kamloops Blazers
The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team plays in the B.C. Division of the Western Conference, is based in Kamloops, British Columbia, and play home games at Sandman Centre.
| Kamloops Blazers | |
|---|---|
| City | Kamloops, British Columbia |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | B.C. |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Home arena | Sandman Centre |
| Colours | Blue, white, orange |
| Owner(s) | Tom Gaglardi (majority)[1] Shane Doan Jarome Iginla Mark Recchi Darryl Sydor |
| General manager | Shaun Clouston[2] |
| Head coach | Shaun Clouston[3] |
| Website | chl |
| Franchise history | |
| 1966–1971 | Estevan Bruins |
| 1971–1981 | New Westminster Bruins |
| 1981–1984 | Kamloops Junior Oilers |
| 1984–present | Kamloops Blazers |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 7 (1983–84, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95) |
| Playoff championships | Ed Chynoweth Cup 6 (1984, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995) Memorial Cup 3 (1992, 1994, 1995) |
The Blazers originated as the Estevan Bruins in 1966, became the New Westminster Bruins in 1971, and relocated to Kamloops in 1981 as the Kamloops Junior Oilers. The Blazers have won the Memorial Cup three times; in 1992, 1994, and 1995, and the Ed Chynoweth Cup six times.
History edit
The franchise was granted in 1966 as the Estevan Bruins in Estevan, Saskatchewan. In 1971, it moved to New Westminster, British Columbia, and was known as the New Westminster Bruins. It then moved to Kamloops in 1981 and was known as the Junior Oilers until 1984, when it was given its present name, the Kamloops Blazers. The team moved from the Kamloops Memorial Arena to the Riverside Coliseum, then renamed the "Interior Savings Centre", in 1992, and finally changed to the Sandman Centre in 2015, due to co-owner Tom Gaglardi also owning the Sandman hotels brand.
The team has won the most Memorial Cups of any team in the WHL with five, two as New Westminster (1977 and 1978) and three as Kamloops (1992, 1994 and 1995). The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) record is seven, held by the Ontario Hockey League's Toronto Marlboros, now known as the Guelph Storm.
The franchise began in 1946 as the Humboldt Indians of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and moved to Estevan to become the Bruins in 1957. The franchise has won the President's Cup a record 11 times, once in Estevan, four times in a row in New Westminster and six times since relocating to Kamloops. The Blazers hosted the 1995 Memorial Cup, also winning the WHL championship that year.
The team was featured as a plot element in a book called Blazer Drive by Sigmund Brouwer.
WHL finals appearances edit
- 1983–84: Win, 4–3 vs. Regina
- 1984–85: Loss, 0–4 vs. Prince Albert
- 1985–86: Win, 4–1 vs. Medicine Hat
- 1987–88: Loss, 2–4 vs. Medicine Hat
- 1989–90: Win, 4–1 vs. Lethbridge
- 1991–92: Win, 4–3 vs. Saskatoon
- 1993–94: Win, 4–3 vs. Saskatoon
- 1994–95: Win, 4–2 vs. Brandon
- 1998–99: Loss, 1–4 vs. Calgary
Memorial Cup appearances edit
- 1984 Memorial Cup – Loss, 2–7 vs. Ottawa in semifinal (as Kamloops Junior Oilers)
- 1986 Memorial Cup – Loss, 3–9 vs. Hull in semifinal
- 1990 Memorial Cup – Loss, 0–3 in round-robin (vs. Kitchener (7–8 OT), Oshawa (6–7 OT) & Laval (2–4))
- 1992 Memorial Cup – Win, 5–4 vs. Sault Ste. Marie
- 1994 Memorial Cup – Win, 5–3 vs. Laval
- 1995 Memorial Cup – Win, 8–2 vs. Detroit
- 2023 Memorial Cup - Loss, 4–5 OT in tiebreaker vs. Peterborough
Coaches edit
Notable head coaches in the history of the Kamloops Blazers include Ken Hitchcock, Tom Renney, Don Hay, Marc Habscheid and Dean Evason.
Players edit
Current roster edit
Updated March 5, 2024.[4]
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace | Drafted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Kalan Anderlini | D | L | 18 | 2023 | Langley, British Columbia | Eligible 2024 | |
| 2 | Logan Bairos (C) | D | R | 21 | 2018 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Undrafted | |
| 14 | Nathan Behm | C | R | 17 | 2022 | Calgary, Alberta | Eligible 2025 | |
| 27 | Samuel Borschowa | D | R | 19 | 2023 | McTaggart, Saskatchewan | Undrafted | |
| 18 | Harrison Brunicke | D | R | 17 | 2021 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Eligible 2024 | |
| 33 | Hudson Closson | LW | L | 16 | 2023 | Duncan, British Columbia | Eligible 2025 | |
| 31 | Logan Edmonstone | G | L | 16 | 2022 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Eligible 2026 | |
| 35 | Dylan Ernst | G | L | 20 | 2019 | Weyburn, Saskatchewan | Undrafted | |
| 34 | Ashton Ferster | RW | R | 20 | 2022 | Prince Albert, Saskatchewan | Undrafted | |
| 9 | Emmitt Finnie (A) | C | L | 18 | 2020 | Lethbridge, Alberta | 2023, 201st Overall, DET | |
| 5 | Isa Guram | D | R | 16 | 2022 | Burnaby, British Columbia | Eligible 2025 | |
| 22 | Jordan Keller | LW | L | 19 | 2023 | Kamloops, British Columbia | Undrafted | |
| 21 | Josh Kelly | LW | L | 17 | 2023 | Port Moody, British Columbia | Eligible 2024 | |
| 6 | Matteo Koci | D | L | 18 | 2023 | Karlovy Vary, Czech Repbulic | Undrafted | |
| 16 | Tommy Lafrenière | RW | R | 17 | 2022 | Saint-Sauveur, Quebec | Eligible 2025 | |
| 17 | Kai Matthew | RW | R | 18 | 2020 | Edmonton, Alberta | Undrafted | |
| 12 | Ryan Michael (A) | D | L | 19 | 2020 | Langley, British Columbia | Undrafted | |
| 13 | Bryce Minten | C | R | 18 | 2021 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Eligible 2024 | |
| 29 | Zach Pantelakis | LW | L | 16 | 2022 | North Vancouver, British Columbia | Eligible 2026 | |
| 10 | Conner Radke | RW | R | 18 | 2021 | Langdon, Alberta | Eligible 2024 | |
| 1 | Jesse Sanche | G | L | 18 | 2021 | Kamloops, British Columbia | Eligible 2024 | |
| 7 | Max Sullivan | LW | L | 17 | 2021 | Toronto, Ontario | Eligible 2024 | |
| 24 | Blake Swetlikoff | C | R | 20 | 2024 | Regina, Saskatchewan | Undrafted | |
| 25 | Ashton Tait | C | R | 17 | 2021 | Prince Albert, Saskatchewan | Eligible 2024 | |
| 19 | Andrew Thomson | LW | L | 17 | 2022 | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Eligible 2025 | |
| 3 | Vojtech Vochvest | D | L | 18 | 2023 | Czech Republic | Eligible 2024 | |
| 23 | Cole Wadsworth | LW | L | 18 | 2024 | Penticton, British Columbia | Eligible 2024 |
NHL alumni edit
- Totals include those who played for the franchise as the Kamloops Junior Oilers
- Jared Aulin
- Warren Babe
- Rudolfs Balcers
- Len Barrie
- Victor Bartley
- Nolan Baumgartner
- Robin Bawa
- Brian Benning
- Craig Berube
- Doug Bodger
- Zac Boyer
- Mike Brown
- Rob Brown
- Garth Butcher
- Kyle Calder
- Jim Camazzola
- Erik Christensen
- Dave Chyzowski
- Dean Clark
- Ken Daneyko
- Scott Daniels
- Eric DeMarco
- Jarrett Deuling
- Rob DiMaio
- Shane Doan
- Hnat Domenichelli
- Devan Dubnyk
- Micki DuPont
- Joel Edmundson
- Keaton Ellerby
- Todd Ewen
- Dean Evason
- Dylan Ferguson
- Scott Ferguson
- Mark Ferner
- Steve Gainey
- Marc Habscheid
- Richard Hajdu
- Bruce Holloway
- Greg Hawgood
- Corey Hirsch
- Jason Holland
- Tony Horacek
- Ryan Huska
- Jarome Iginla
- Connor Ingram
- Jonas Johansson
- Ty Jones
- Mark Kachowski
- Matt Kassian
- Doug Kostynski
- Paul Kruse
- Bryce Lampman
- JC Lipon
- Jan Ludvig
- Brad Lukowich
- Ray Macias
- David Mackey
- Pat MacLeod
- Mike MacWilliam
- Dean Malkoc
- Dave Marcinyshyn
- Gord Mark
- Fraser Minten
- Shaone Morrisonn
- Glenn Mulvenna
- Chris Murray
- Tyson Nash
- Mike Needham
- Scott Niedermayer
- Colton Orr
- Steve Passmore
- Ed Patterson
- Garrett Pilon
- Rudy Poeschek
- Gage Quinney
- Brendan Ranford
- Daryl Reaugh
- Mark Recchi
- Robyn Regehr
- Cam Severson
- Ron Shudra
- Trevor Sim
- Rob Skrlac
- Tyler Sloan
- Jiri Smejkal
- Colin Smith
- Geoff Smith
- Logan Stankoven
- Ryan Stewart
- Jason Strudwick
- Darryl Sydor
- Darcy Tucker
- Scottie Upshall
- Kris Versteeg
- Gordie Walker
- David Wilkie
- Connor Zary
- Olen Zellweger
Season-by-season record edit
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–82 | 72 | 18 | 53 | 1 | – | 320 | 464 | 37 | 4th West | Lost West Division semi-final |
| 1982–83 | 72 | 46 | 26 | 0 | – | 461 | 356 | 92 | 3rd West | Lost West Division semi-final |
| 1983–84 | 72 | 50 | 22 | 0 | – | 467 | 332 | 100 | 1st West | Won championship |
| 1984–85 | 72 | 52 | 17 | 2 | – | 423 | 293 | 106 | 1st West | Lost final |
| 1985–86 | 72 | 49 | 19 | 4 | – | 449 | 299 | 102 | 1st West | Won championship |
| 1986–87 | 72 | 55 | 14 | 3 | – | 496 | 292 | 113 | 1st West | Lost West Division final |
| 1987–88 | 72 | 45 | 26 | 1 | – | 399 | 307 | 91 | 1st West | Lost final |
| 1988–89 | 72 | 34 | 33 | 5 | – | 326 | 309 | 73 | 3rd West | Lost West Division final |
| 1989–90 | 72 | 56 | 16 | 0 | – | 484 | 278 | 112 | 1st West | Won championship |
| 1990–91 | 72 | 50 | 20 | 2 | – | 385 | 247 | 102 | 1st West | Lost West Division final |
| 1991–92 | 72 | 51 | 17 | 4 | – | 351 | 226 | 106 | 1st West | Won championship and Memorial Cup |
| 1992–93 | 72 | 42 | 28 | 2 | – | 302 | 253 | 86 | 3rd West | Lost West Division final |
| 1993–94 | 72 | 50 | 16 | 6 | – | 381 | 225 | 106 | 1st West | Won championship and Memorial Cup |
| 1994–95 | 72 | 52 | 14 | 6 | – | 375 | 202 | 110 | 1st West | Won championship and Memorial Cup |
| 1995–96 | 72 | 48 | 22 | 2 | – | 343 | 257 | 98 | 2nd West | Lost West Division final |
| 1996–97 | 72 | 28 | 37 | 7 | – | 256 | 285 | 63 | 5th West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 1997–98 | 72 | 37 | 32 | 3 | – | 234 | 253 | 77 | 4th West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 1998–99 | 72 | 48 | 11 | 13 | – | 298 | 195 | 109 | 1st West | Lost final |
| 1999–00 | 72 | 36 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 244 | 228 | 78 | 4th West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 2000–01 | 72 | 35 | 28 | 7 | 2 | 289 | 274 | 79 | 3rd West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 2001–02 | 72 | 38 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 263 | 230 | 85 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 39 | 27 | 5 | 1 | 261 | 222 | 84 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2003–04 | 72 | 34 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 192 | 182 | 78 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 26 | 37 | 7 | 2 | 161 | 211 | 61 | 4th B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 34 | 33 | 2 | 3 | 179 | 196 | 73 | 5th B.C. | Out of playoffs |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 40 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 245 | 222 | 86 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2007–08 | 72 | 27 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 197 | 253 | 58 | 4th B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2008–09 | 72 | 33 | 33 | 2 | 4 | 242 | 277 | 72 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2009–10 | 72 | 32 | 33 | 2 | 5 | 237 | 284 | 71 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2010–11 | 72 | 29 | 37 | 3 | 3 | 219 | 285 | 64 | 5th B.C. | Out of playoffs |
| 2011–12 | 72 | 47 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 290 | 211 | 99 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
| 2012–13 | 72 | 47 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 261 | 180 | 99 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference final |
| 2013–14 | 72 | 14 | 53 | 2 | 3 | 175 | 305 | 33 | 5th B.C. | Out of playoffs |
| 2014–15 | 72 | 28 | 37 | 4 | 3 | 214 | 258 | 63 | 4th B.C. | Out of playoffs |
| 2015–16 | 72 | 38 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 237 | 218 | 85 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2016–17 | 72 | 42 | 24 | 2 | 4 | 243 | 198 | 90 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2017–18 | 72 | 30 | 37 | 1 | 4 | 212 | 237 | 65 | 4th B.C. | Out of playoffs |
| 2018–19 | 68 | 28 | 32 | 6 | 2 | 196 | 212 | 64 | 3rd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2019–20 | 63 | 41 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 271 | 166 | 86 | 1st B.C. | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020–21 | 22 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 51 | 36 | 1st B.C. | No playoffs were held |
| 2021–22 | 68 | 48 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 287 | 176 | 99 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference final |
| 2022–23 | 68 | 48 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 313 | 198 | 103 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference final, 4th place at Memorial Cup |
| 2023–24 | 68 | 20 | 42 | 3 | 3 | 180 | 295 | 46 | 5th B.C. | out of playoffs |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Ownership". Blazerhockey.com.
- ^ "Clouston Promoted to GM / Head Coach, O'Donovan Named Assistant GM". OurSports Central. 20 July 2019.
- ^ "Kamloops Blazers Name Shaun Clouston Head Coach, Darryl Sydor Associate Coach". OurSports Central. 18 June 2019.
- ^ WHL Network, Western Hockey League, retrieved 2024-01-26
External links edit
- Official website