Bloom reassigned to OHL by Canucks, subsequently signed by Saginaw
Saginaw, Mich. – The Saginaw Spirit have signed Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, Spirit GM Dave Drinkill announced Friday. The 6’2”, left-shot overager was reassigned to the OHL by Vancouver earlier this afternoon.
“It’s so exciting to be able to bring Josh Bloom back to our team,” said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. “This is a very unique situation, and an opportunity to bring back a former captain is something we jumped at. Josh showcased his elite talents in a career season last year. Now, he has experience from the pro level to share with our group as well.”
Selected by the Spirit 30th overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Bloom already has 140 games played in Saginaw. On September 30th, 2022, he was named the 22nd captain in team history. During his first stint in Saginaw, Bloom tallied 43 goals and 48 assists for 91 points.
“It was a very hard decision, but I can’t wait to get started back in Saginaw,” said Bloom. “After going on a special run last year in North Bay, it makes me want a championship that much more this year. I’m itching to get started on Saturday night.”
The Oakville, Ont. native was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 3rd round, 95th overall in 2021. After being traded to the Vancouver Canucks on February 27th, 2023, Bloom has spent 22 games this season between the team’s AHL (Abbotsford) and ECHL (Kalamazoo) affiliates. He recorded an assist as his first professional point with the Abbotsford Canucks on October 29th against the Ontario Reign.
“Playing pro was very big in my development and Abbotsford was fantastic in helping me grow my game,” said Bloom. “I am looking to take what I’ve learned and apply it at the junior level for one more chance at something special.”
Bloom was traded by the Spirit to the North Bay Battalion on November 16th, 2022 in a deal that included now-Spirit forward Nic Sima. In 68 games between Saginaw and North Bay that season, he enjoyed career-high numbers across the board (32G-39A-71P). Bloom also posted five goals and seven assists for 12 points in a postseason run that saw the Battalion to Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final.
While still a member of the Buffalo Sabres, Bloom signed a three-year, entry level contract on April 18th 2022. He tied a Spirit single-season record during the 2021-2022 season when he scored seven shorthanded goals. Bloom also became the first player in OHL history to record his first two career goals via penalty shots in 2019.
In his entire OHL career to date, Bloom has 68 goals and 78 assists for 146 points. His 189 career OHL games are the second-most among active Spirit players (Alex Christopoulos, 217).
Bloom is expected to make his return to Saginaw on Saturday night, as the Spirit battle the Petes at 7:05pm.