By Glen Erickson /
Looking back on the past few weeks, Kamloops Blazers general manager Craig Bonner has enjoyed the competitive nature of training camp.
“Our camp went really well,” he said. “We had more numbers this year and more guys competing for spots. There were really good moments and then some average ones. But I think we have learned more about our veterans and our new players.
“The biggest thing was that it was our second year here. Expectations are well known and the players are taking ownership now. They know what we expect.”
Bonner is speaking of the current regime in Kamloops, specifically the new ownership group and coaching staff. The time for the organization to move forward has come and Bonner likes what he has seen so far this season.
For now, the Blazers have eight defenceman on the roster, a group Bonner is happy to be carrying right now. Among the returnees are Zak Stebner, Giffen Nyren, Curtis Kulchar, Bronson Maschmayer, Linden Saip, Brandon Underwood, Josh Caron and Tyler Hansen.
Hansen, from Magrath, Alta., is 16-years-old.
“Hansen is a guy who has gotten better and better,” Bonner said. “He’s big, tall and lanky and has courage and the confidence to make plays. Right now, we’re going with eight defencemen. The big reason is that we want guys pushing each other. We want that inner-competition here.”
And speaking of inner-competition, that’s exactly what the club has with the goaltending tandem of Justin Leclerc and Jon Groenheyde. Leclerc is a 20-year-old, entering his third full season in Kamloops. Groenheyde, who was not selected at the 2009 NHL Draft in June, may feel he has something to prove this season.
“It’s something we wanted,” Bonner said of the battle between the pipes. “It makes each of them better and we’re fine with that. Sure, keeping a 20-year-old goalie is like having a two-spotter here. But I think that early in the year, it is so important to keep goalies sharp by not just handing them a job.”
Bonner also confirmed that Tyler Shattock (St. Louis Blues) and Jimmy Bubnick (Atlanta Thrashers) would be back in time from their respective NHL camps to suit up for the season opening weekends.
News & Notes
Import forward Dalibor Bortnak remains out of action with what Bonner decribes as a “freak injury.” He had a tear in his spleen repaired a couple of weeks ago, but has been available to help fellow import Matej Bene get used to his new surroundings. Bene, who played in Port Alberni last December at the World U17 Championship, is also slowly learning English…Forward Colin Smith is out of the lineup with a broken arm…The Blazers opened the season with wins on consecutive nights against Chilliwack. On opening night in Chilliwack, they handed the Bruins a 4-3 loss before winning 4-2 at the Interior Savings Centre the next evening. |