BLAZERS IN SPOKANE TONIGHT

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The Blazers roster currently sits at 24 players (2 goaltenders, 8 defensemen and 14 forwards). The roster includes 11 players selected in the WHL Bantam Draft, 6 players via trade, 6 players from the free agent list, and 1 player selected from the CHL Import Draft. The roster breakdown by region includes 8 players from Alberta, 7 from B.C., 2 from Manitoba, 4 from Saskatchewan, 1 from the USA, 1 from the Czech Republic, and 1 from Switzerland. There are 17 WHL veterans on the roster and 7 WHL rookies. Four of those rookies suited up for the Blazers during the regular season last year. This includes forward Jordan DePape who the Blazers will be without most of the season due to injury.

THE MATCH-UP: The Blazers and Chiefs are meeting for the second time this season tonight. The Chiefs were in Kamloops on October 7^th and the Blazers handled the Chiefs well in a 6-4 home ice victory. The Blazers had a 5-1 lead by the third period as Brendan Ranford, J.T. Barnett, Jordan DePape, Austin Madaisky, and Aspen Sterzer all scored goals for the home team. The Chiefs came storming back with three goals in the final 10 minutes of the game, but JC Lipon scored an empty net goal for a 6-4 win. Darren Kramer had two goals for the Chiefs. Ranford had a goal and two assists in the win, while Cam Lanigan made 20 saves for the Blazers. These two teams don’t meet again until February 1^st in Kamloops.    

ROSTER MOVES: The Blazers made a few minor roster moves this week. The team sent 19-year-old forward J.T. Barnett to Everett in exchange for a 3^rd round WHL Bantam Draft Pick in 2013. Once the Blazers moved Barnett, the team brought in 18-year-old forward Brock Balson from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL. Balson, who was originally a draft pick of the Prince Albert Raiders, played 48 games with the Raiders last season. The 6’1” Kamloops native had a goal and two assists. In 20 games with Silverbacks, Balson put up 19 points this season. Balson joins forward Ryan Hanes playing for his hometown team.     

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS ‘Who to Watch’: The Kamloops Blazers have a roster filled with a mix of WHL veterans and WHL rookies. The Blazers offence has been spread out throughout three lines. Chase Schaber, Colin Smith and Brendan Ranford are the veteran leaders up front that are pacing the offence. The loss of forward Jordan DePape will be tough on the hockey club, but will give opportunity to some of the younger players. DePape will be out until at least March with an injury. The Blazers have relied on veterans Dylan Willick, and JC Lipon to pitch in on the offensive load. Some young rookies that have caught the eyes of scouts and fans include a pair of 16-year-old forwards, Matthew Needham and Cole Ully. Import Tim Bozon, who is eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, has been outstanding to this point of the season with 15 points in 17 games. Logan McVeigh, Chase Souto, Aspen Sterzer and Ryan Hanes have contributed with energy and work ethic. Newly acquired forward Brock Balson should compliment the forward crop. On the back end, veteran defensemen Austin Madaisky, Josh Caron, Bronson Maschmeyer and Tyler Hansen are leading the back end. All four defensemen are into their third or fourth WHL season. Add in second-year players Marek Hrbas, and Brady Gaudet and the Blazers have a lot of experience on the back end. First year defensemen Tyler Bell and Landon Cross have both played well when needed this season. The goaltending position has been solid for the Blazers with veteran Cam Lanigan and rookie Cole Cheveldave as the two goaltenders.  Cheveldave and Lanigan have both played well, and are expected to share the net most of the season.  

SPOKANE CHIEFS ‘Who to Watch’: The Spokane Chiefs have some new leaders this year after the graduation of forwards Tyler Johnson, Levko Koper, goaltender James Reid and defenseman Jared Cowen who each played a part in the Chiefs 2008 Memorial Cup Championship. The loss of Johnson, Reid and Cowen are all significant because they were all First-team Western Conference All-Stars last season. The loss hasn’t hurt the Chiefs thus far this season. The Chiefs return nine forwards, including four players who scored 20+ goals last season. Dominik Uher, Anthony Bardaro, Blake Gal, Steve Kuhn and Mitch Holmberg will be relied on by the hockey club. The return of tough guy Darren Kramer also bodes well for the Chiefs as he established himself as an enforcer but has shown his scoring touch around the net this season. On defence, the Chiefs return six players. Brenden Kichton is the veteran leader and his protégé, 17-year-old Reid Gow will be expected to step up his game this season. The presence of Corbin Baldwin, Cole Hamblin and Davis Vandane who all stand at least 6’4” tall are relied on to shut down other teams and have a lot of experience in the WHL. The Chiefs are down to two 18-year-old goaltenders with Mac Engel as the only veteran WHLer. Engel has proved that he is capable of being the starting goaltender. His back-up, rookie Luke Lee-Knight, has put up stellar numbers in limited playing time this season.   

NHL DRAFT: Austin Madaisky (Columbus, 5^th round, 124^th overall in 2010), Brendan Ranford (Philadelphia, 7^th round, 209^th overall in 2010), Josh Caron (SIGNED by Minnesota, 2010)

INJURY REPORT: Jordan DePape (Upper Body, one month+). Man games lost due to injury – 24.

DID YOU KNOW… Forward Colin Smith leads the Blazers with 11 goals, 12 assists and 23 points this season… 19-year-old defenseman Austin Madaisky leads the Blazers defence in scoring with 3 goals, 10 assists and 13 points playing in 19 games… Third year defenseman Tyler Hansen leads the Blazers with +16 rating… Colin Smith played for Team WHL in Game #5 of the Subway Super Series on Wednesday night in Regina … Matthew Needham is the first second generation Blazer in franchise history… Colin Smith recorded his 100^th WHL point in Prince George on November 4^th… Dylan Willick has only missed one game over the past two and a half seasons… Bronson Maschmeyer is the Blazers current iron man playing in his 164^th consecutive game tonight… Chase Schaber is the team’s Captain, while Dylan Willick, Bronson Maschmeyer, and Austin Madaisky are the team’s Assistant Captains… Brendan Ranford is the longest serving Blazer and has played 225 WHL games and has 197 points all with the Blazers… Defenseman Josh Caron is among the league leaders in penalty minutes with 68 so far this season… The Blazers have a league leading 8 shorthanded goals, compared to only 4 shorthanded markers all of last season… The Blazers have won thirteen games this season, with ten different players scoring the game winning goal… The Blazers have one of the best goal differentials in the WHL scoring 76 times and allowing only 51 goals… The Blazers have the best road winning percentage in the WHL going 6-2-0-0 with a .750 winning percentage.