2007-08 – A CHANGE OF THE GUARD
2007-08 – A Change of the Guard
Following a 40-win regular season and being swept in the playoffs, change was in effect during the 2007-08 season. Successful businessman Tom Gaglardi, along with four ex-Blazers, Mark Recchi, Darryl Sydor, Shane Doan and Jarome Iginla purchased the Kamloops Blazers. The rebuilding began as the Blazers GM and Head Coach Dean Clark was shown the door after sixteen games and in came ex-Blazers star Greg Hawgood as the team’s new Head Coach. The Blazers initially started off well once the change was made, but slowly crumbled. The team lost fifteen of their last sixteen games as they limped into the playoffs as the eighth seed. The Blazers had the impossible task of the Tri-City Americans in the first round of the playoffs. The Americans finished 50-points ahead of the Blazers in the WHL standings. The Blazers were no where close to the Americans in the first two games losing by a combined score of 10-2. In game three, the Blazers held a 3-1 advantage heading into the third period. The Americans answered with three third period goals to win the game 4-3. The Blazers hopes were crushed as they fell 6-2 in game four to go out in four straight games. Next year meant more change as the ownership group put their stamp on the hockey club.
Team Record: 27-41-2-2, 4th B.C. Division
Playoffs: Lost First Round (4 games to 0 vs. Tri-City)
Leading Regular Season Scorer: Jusso Puustinen – 27 Goals, 26 Assists, 53 Points
Leading Playoff Scorer: Seven Players – 2 Points
Notable Players: Tyler Shattock, Kenton Dulle, Brady Calla, Jusso Puustinen, Nick Ross, C.J. Stretch, Scott Wasden
