By Glen Erickson /
It has been well-documented that the Kamloops Blazers entered the current season with a wealth of WHL experience on the roster. In particular, the backend appeared to be very deep with the club carrying up to nine defencemen.
General Manager Craig Bonner has referenced the concept of “inner-competition” when explaining the decision to keep plenty of rearguards in the fold. And one of those who has responded well along the crowded blueline is 18-year-old Bronson Maschmeyer.
“I felt that when the trade was made it would provide an opportunity for me to come in and prove myself again,” Maschmeyer said in an interview with Hockey Now. “It gave me an opportunity as a player to feel like I could really help the team.”
The trade Maschmeyer is speaking of took place on Sept. 4 when the Blazers acquired the Bruderheim, Alberta native from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for 2010 third round Bantam Draft pick. Maschmeyer, who appeared in 48 games with the Giants last season, enjoys competing for playing time.
”It’s okay right now, having extra guys means there is competition within the group,” he said. “It makes everybody want to work hard, not only in games, but in the practices because that’s a big part of where the coaches make decisions about who is going to play. So it really keeps us on our toes here.”
In Vancouver, Maschmeyer played behind the likes of Jon Blum, Nick Ross, Brent Regner, Craig Schira and Nolan Toigo. The deep, veteran group meant Maschmeyer spent many nights watching down the stretch.
”Last year with the Giants, there were lots of older guys,” he said. “When Toigo came back, there were four 19-year-olds and two 20-year-olds.
“So, when you’re not playing, there is plenty of time to watch what they are doing out there and trying to figure how you might apply some of those things to your own game. As much as not playing, when you don’t think there are opportunities, there really is something to learn by watching guys like that play. You’re talking about guys that are certain to move up to the next level, so you can take from what they do to help yourself to improve.”
Maschmeyer checks in at 5-10 and 175 pounds. He is an effective mover of the puck and has become a key player on the power play. Through 13 games, he has tallied twice and added 10 assists. He knows he is part of a mature hockey team in Kamloops.
“The guys are great here,” he said. “You realize pretty quickly that there are a lot of veterans here, especially when you have to double up on the bus even when you’re a second year guy.
“The city of Kamloops seems to be very supportive right now and I guess as long as we can give them something to cheer about, hopefully they’ll continue to come out and support us.”
News & Notes
The Blazers next home game is set for October 30 against Chilliwack. The team will be spending much of the final two weeks of October on the road, travelling through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Blazers will play each of the six WHL’s Eastern Division teams during its eastern swing. They split their first two games, winning 4-1 in Regina against the Pats before dropping an 8-3 decision to the Brandon Wheat Kings. |