As it stands right now, the overage situation in Kamloops appears to be fairly cut and dry. Assuming there are no major developments prior to the 2019-2020 season, the Blazers will roll with their three returning 20-year olds: Zane Franklin, Kobe Mohr, and Jackson Caller. Regardless of who plays out their final year in Kamloops, there will be some big shoes to fill.
Last season’s 20-year olds:
Jeff Faith
After spending his entire WHL career with the Spokane Chiefs, Faith made the move from Spokane to Kamloops during a busy November 28th last season. Faith spent time on the right-wing but primarily played on the third defensive pairing and added a much-needed physical element to the Blazers.
Dylan Ferguson
If there is one area the Blazers have excelled in recently, it’s selecting goaltenders. Ferguson’s patient approach while backing up Connor Ingram was rewarded with a .908 SAV% across 155 WHL games, and a grande-sized cup of coffee with Vegas in 2017. While Ferguson continues to battle for a spot in the Vegas organization, Dylan Garand will assume full-time duties in the Blazers crease.
Jermaine Loewen
There are a lot of great stories in junior hockey, but Jermaine’s is exceptional. Loewen joined the Blazers when he was 16, just six years after his first game of organized hockey. The Jamaican-born winger went on to play his entire 295-game career with Kamloops, including his final season as team captain. Replacing Loewen’s physicality and goal-scoring will be a challenging task, but his leadership and work ethic will be the most noticeable omissions from this season’s team.
Next in line:
Zane Franklin
There are no guarantees in junior hockey, but Franklin’s return to Kamloops this fall is a pretty safe bet. The Marwayne, Alta., native led the Blazers in points and tied for the team-lead in goals with 28, doubling his total from the previous season in Lethbridge. Franklin will once again be leaned on to provide offense and perhaps handle any family squabbles.
Kobe Mohr
Mohr was acquired from Edmonton during the 2018 WHL bantam draft. While the scrappy winger struggled to find his offensive form, Mohr added sandpaper to a noticeably young lineup in 2018-2019. With Loewen and Faith’s graduation from the WHL, Mohr’s experience and physical play will make him a valuable player.
Jackson Caller
The Kamloops-born defenseman joined the Blazers early into last season. Caller was frequently deployed with Montana Onyebuchi and will once again be expected to provide a stabilizing presence on the blueline.
*Note: 20-year old Travis Walton cleared WHL waivers this past June after suiting up for 141 games with Kamloops, and has since joined the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL.
