Once a Blazer, Always a Blazer Matthew Seminoff Reflects on His Time on Kamloops

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

Forward Matthew Seminoff spent four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers. He racked up 73 goals and 97 assists for 170 points in 196 games donning the blue and orange and became a key member of one of the most memorable years in Blazers hockey.

When Seminoff first arrived in Kamloops, he wasn’t sure what to expect as a 16-year-old. He simply wanted to make an impression at camp and see where he fit in. The team was led by a strong veteran group at that time, with Zane Franklin, Max Martin, and Ryan Hughes being the seasoned veterans on the team. “They treated me great right from the start,” Seminoff said. “That first year really showed me what the culture in Kamloops was all about.”

Over the next few seasons, he watched the team evolve from a young, developing group into a powerhouse. By the 2021-22 season, the Blazers were one of the top teams in the WHL. For Seminoff, that season remained one of the highlights of his career. The success wasn’t just about talent; it came from the bond the players shared off the ice. “That year was just special,” he reflected. “A lot of us had come up together through the bubble year, and we just clicked. We knew we were a good team, but more than anything, we loved coming to the rink every day.”

Like many players who move away at a young age, Seminoff’s experience in Kamloops was shaped not just by his teammates but by his billet families. He spent his first season living with Logan Stankoven and his family, something he says helped him settle into life away from home. Other roommates of Seminoff’s included Reese Belton, Michael Schnattinger and Matthew Kieper.

The connection with Stankoven, in particular, has carried far beyond Kamloops. The two were drafted by the Dallas Stars and played on the Texas Stars. “Logan’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever played with,” Seminoff said. “We’ve kind of gone through everything together — from junior to the AHL and now watching him break through in the NHL. It’s been awesome to see.”

Seminoff’s highlight of his WHL career was hosting the 2023 Memorial Cup. Even though the team didn’t get the result they had hoped for, the experience left a lasting impression.“That first game was surreal,” he said. “You come out and see the white shirts, the towels, the noise — it’s what you dream of growing up watching the Memorial Cup on TV. The support from the city was incredible. It’s something I’ll never forget.”

Seminoff’s final season with the Blazers was his best, finishing with 82 points. But for him, the growth went deeper than that. After feeling he underperformed the year prior, he approached that summer with a renewed mindset.“I worked really hard on the mental side,” he said. “Hockey’s so much more mental than people realize. I just carried that attitude all summer, and it changed everything for me.”

That focus on mindset has become a key part of his approach to pro hockey as well. “You can train all summer, but if your head’s not in the right place, it doesn’t matter,” he added. “That’s something I learned in Kamloops and still try to live by now.”

Looking back, it’s not the wins or points that stand out most to him; it’s the moments shared with teammates who became lifelong friends.

“The bus rides, the laughs, the day-to-day stuff, that’s what you remember,” Seminoff said. “You grow up together for four years, and those are friendships that last long after hockey.”

For Seminoff, Kamloops will always be home to some of his best memories and most important lessons. “It’s where I grew up, as a player and as a person,” he said.