2024 WHL Graduates – Kamloops Blazers
Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2023-24 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series.
We continue with the graduating players from the Kamloops Blazers.
Logan Bairos (D)
Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 221 GP – 22G-81A–103 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Second Round, 27th Overall (Kamloops Blazers)
Defenceman Logan Bairos is one of three Kamloops Blazers departing the WHL, as a part of the League’s latest batch of overaged graduates. Bairos, who captained the Blazers for a large part of the 2023-24 season, exits the WHL following a five-season stint in Southern British Columbia. A product of Saskatoon, Sask., Bairos first joined the Blazers organization as a second-round selection in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft. He made his debut on December 10, 2019, and scored his first goal on May 12, 2021. Calling Kamloops, B.C. his home for his entire WHL tenure, the blueliner appeared in 221 regular season games with the Blazers. In that time, he recorded 22 goals, 81 assists, and 103 points. His best season, however, came in 2022-23, when he collected 40 points (eight goals–32 assists) in 68 games. Bairos was also a participant at the 2023 Memorial Cup, held at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops. Now, Bairos is using his WHL Scholarship to play for the University of Saskatchewan’s Men’s Program starting in the 2024-25 season.
There's a reason why we picked Logan Bairos as tonight's Player to Watch…
This is that reason. @blazerhockey | #MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/VkqmdIUeJU
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 2, 2023
Ashton Ferster (D)
Hometown: Shellbrook, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 209 GP – 39G-48A–87 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Fourth Round, 77th Overall (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Fellow Saskatchewanian Ashton Ferster concluded his tenure at the WHL following a four-season stint with both the Kamloops Blazers and Medicine Hat Tigers. Originally drafted by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, Ferster made 76 appearances and collected 19 points (10 goals–19 assists) with the orange and black. While he made his WHL debut on February 27, 2021, his first goal came in a 5-4 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on October 23, 2021. In September 2022, Ferster migrated west as he was acquired via trade by the Blazers. The move to Kamloops revitalized the product of Shellbrook, Sask., as he recorded 27 points (11 goals–16 assists) in his first 65 games with the Blazers. Yet, Ferster wasn’t done. Saving his best performance for last, the 20-year-old set career highs in goals (19), assists (22), powerplay goals (7), and points (41) during the 2023-24 season. In total, Ferster recorded 39 goals, 48 assists, and 87 points in 209 career WHL appearances. Ferster is set to join his Blazers teammate, Logan Bairos, at the University of Saskatchewan, next season.
Ashton Ferster scores first(er)!
The towering Blazers forward has Kamloops on the board with his 18th of the season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6DlA0KY17q
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 24, 2024
Blake Swetlikoff (F)
Hometown: Regina, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 225 GP – 39G-76A–115 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Third Round, 61st Overall (Spokane Chiefs)
Rounding out the group of Saskatchewan-born, Blazers graduates is Blake Swetlikoff. Hailing from Regina, Sask., the 6-foot, 170-pound forward starred in 225 WHL games over a five-season span with the Spokane Chiefs, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Kamloops Blazers. Swetlikoff was first selected in the third round of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft by Spokane, making his Chiefs debut on September 21, 2019. He went on to record his first point – an assist – in a 5-2 win over the Prince George Cougars on October 19, 2019. Swetlikoff was also named the Chiefs Scholastic Player of the Year following the 2020-21 season. In January 2023, Swetlikoff was dealt to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a couple of draft picks and the signing rights for forward Jack Lackas. The centre spent parts of two seasons in Bridge City, collecting 33 points (12 goals–21 assists) in 67 regular season appearances. As a 20-year-old, the Saskatchewanian was once again traded – this time, heading the Kamloops, B.C. Swetlikoff concluded his WHL career as a member of the Blazers, where he collected 21 points (five goals–16 assists) in 30 appearances.
Johnny on the spot? More like, Swetlikoff in the slot!@blazerhockey pic.twitter.com/bS5YqUJRWP
— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 26, 2024
