Catching up with Kamloops Blazers’ Jimmy Bubnick

By Jesse Watts, whl.ca — The Kamloops Blazers have had the luxury of boasting some of hockey’s top offensive players over their storied history.
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rNames like Jarome Iginla, Rob Brown, Shane Doan, Len Barrie and Scott Niedermayer have all donned the Blazer jersey in the 24 years since the team has adopted the “Blazers” moniker.
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rThis season, the Blazers are hoping another up-and-coming player can add his name to the list of offensive stars in 17-year-old Saskatoon, SK, product Jimmy Bubnick.
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rThe Blazers’ top pick (5th overall) at the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft, Bubnick put up nine goals and 27 points in 64 games as a 16-year-old rookie for the team last season. In addition, Bubnick played for Team West at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he was a dominant force, and also suited up for Canada’s Under-18 team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August, helping the team win a Gold medal.
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rBubnick, whose older brothers Michael and Jon also played in the WHL, has all the tools to be an elite offensive force in the WHL for the Blazers including a big frame, excellent vision and awareness, a great shot, and plenty of grit and intensity.
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rSo far, the 2009 NHL Draft-eligible pivot has not disappointed to start the 2008-09 season, having already scored seven goals and 10 points in eight games.
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rCatching Up With…Jimmy Bubnick
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rOn the Blazers’ start to the season…
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r“It’s been an up-and-down start. At first, we were committed to playing a full 60 minutes, getting pucks deep, and playing a North-South style with energy. Lately, we have been trying too hard to make the pretty plays, trying to do too much, and we weren’t getting things done out there.”
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rOn the 2008-09 edition of the Blazers…
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r“I think we’ve come together pretty well. We’re starting to gel with all the new players coming in and with a new coaching staff. Coach (Barry) Smith is a tremendous coach, and we have to really buy into his systems and his way of doing things. I think if we keep working hard and follow our coach’s lead, we’ll be in for a really good season.”
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rOn his start to the season…
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r“For me, confidence has been the key to my success, so far. I’ve tried to work hard and be consistent. I’m getting more opportunities to contribute. If I continue to work hard and build on those things, I’ll be able to continue having success.”
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rOn winning a Gold medal with Canada’s Under-18 team…
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r“It was a great experience and I have so many good memories to take home. Being a part of Hockey Canada’s program was so good, and playing with the talent on that team really kick-started my confidence. Going overseas was a fun experience as well, and I hope to have other opportunities again, and continue using that experience to help me this season.”
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rOn entering his NHL draft-eligible year…
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r“You can’t really let it bother you too much. You have to go out there and play your style of game, and focus on the thing that you can control. If you just be yourself and play the way you have, then other things will hopefully take care of themselves.”