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Kamloops Blazers
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The Mayon Event...Central division The Mayon Event...East division Guys whose Mother's don't even like 'em Team toughness...West division Team toughness...Central division Team toughness...East division P.O.W...Punch up Of the Week The FM Says 2000/2001 season Memory Lane Hockey Balboa Links to other sites Left Over Scraps Email The Fighting Major Official WHL site Sign the guestbook |
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The Blazers should be a little better off in the pugilistic department this year, however there grade could go up or down depending on how some of the newcomers fare, if the veterans have improved and if the Blazer brass can pull off a trade for a true heavyweight. The recent departure of Jason Bone leaves the Blazers once more without a bonafide heavyweight. West division penalty minute leader Aaron Gionet will be another year older and tougher and newcomer Steven Spencer looks like he likes to throw his weight around and word is he can handle himself with the fists as well. Sophomore Mark Rooneem, although an offensive talent, likes to be physical and with a year's experience in the league could also chip in with the odd scrap. Shaone Morrison has shown a more physical game this pre-season and last year had a few tilts, the most memorable against legitimate heavyweight Darren McLachlan of Seattle. It would be nice to see the Blazer brass make a trade for a big physical defenceman who can strike fear in the hearts of opponents and play like he missed his last tab of ritalin. They do have a 6'3", 250lb guy by the name of Warren Steinly in camp, but he has to prove to coaches and management that he is ready to not only take on the role of enforcer but also to be able to skate and keep up to the speed of the WHL. |
Aaron "Monsieur monster" Gionet D...6'2"...203lbs...06/28/82 Last year's west division PIMs leader is again playing a tough physical game. Aaron is playing a little smarter this year which will in turn cut down on the PIMs. Not the best fighter in the league, although he has had his moment in the top ten Aaron needs to work on his balance before trying to step to the plate with the big boys. |
Colton "Don't call me Bobby" Orr RW...6'2"...210lbs...03/03/82 Lives in our "Mayon Event", west division. If you want to read more about this guy, that's where you'll find it. Remember though, if you want to look back on him you'll have to check the east aswell as he started the season as a Bronco. |
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The Kamloops Blazers started the season toughness challenged again.
After shipping their only tough guy, Jason Bone off to the Flin Flon Bombers,
the Blazers looked to be trying to go with the team toughness concept once
more. They finally made a deal for a legitimate heavy, sending speedball
Paul Deniset and a draft pick to the Broncos and getting Colton Orr in
return. Not only did this open up the ice for some of the skilled
guys, but it also seemed to give the rest of the team a boost of confidence.
It took some of the heat off Aaron Gionet, who plays a tough, physical
in your face game to start with, but really isn't ready to assume the role
of enforcer. However, with Orr up front, Gionet on the back end and
a supporting cast of Tyler Sloan and the ever willing Patrick Brandreth
the Blazers finally have a team that isn't afraid to mix it up if the need
arises. Orr has definitely shown his stuff since arriving and with the
recent acquisition of eighteen year old Ryan Annesley and sixteen
year old Paul Brown, the Blazers look set in the fisticuffs department
for the duration of this year and all of the next. They're not a team that
needs to go looking for trouble, however with the "snapping turtle" (Jones-Parry)
also part of the package, they are finally equipped if other teams feel
that way inclined and can no longer be considered the west division
whipping post.
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