New Blazers Defenseman Kayd Ruedig Embraces Opportunity in Kamloops
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
When Kayd Ruedig walked into the Kamloops Blazers dressing room for the first time, everything was new: new teammates, new systems, new expectations, but the locker room embraced him. “All the guys are super nice,” Ruedig said. “They brought me in with open arms and have been super good to me. I’m really excited to be here.”
The 18-year-old has tallied two goals in three games since arriving in Kamloops. He previously posted two goals and three points in 10 games with the Portland Winterhawks this season.
Ruedig was acquired from Portland last week in exchange for a draft pick. Ruedig brings an offensive flair to the Blazers’ blueline that is needed with the absence of Harrison Brunicke, who remains with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ruedig describes himself as a smooth-skating, offensively inclined defenceman who takes pride in contributing at both ends of the ice. “I think I’m a pretty good skater,” he said. “I try to play a lot of offence being a defenceman, but I also try to stay solid defensively.”
Despite having confidence in the position, Ruedig says he is still adapting after being a forward for much of his career. “Growing up, I never really played a lot of D,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been watching guys like Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, and Cam Fowler.”
Ruedig hails from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, a community forever marked by the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy. “Ever since that happened, every time I step on the ice it’s for those guys,” Ruedig said. “I always write ‘HB’ for Humboldt Broncos on my stick. It’s just my way of playing for them because they can’t anymore.”
Off the ice, Ruedig has already found comfort in his billet home, where he lives with veteran defender Rhett Ravndahl. “It’s a great house,” he said. “They’ve made it feel like home already.”
As for his jersey number, Ruedig has a story behind it. “I wore #7 all my life because my birthday is 07/07,” Ruedig explained. “I picked 34 because it adds up to seven.”
For the Blazers, Ruedig brings a blend of skill and skating that fits the team’s DNA.
