The Kamloops Blazers are setting the stage for an exciting 2025-26 WHL season, marked by key offseason signings, NHL draft recognition, and anticipation for their home opener later this month.
During the off-season, two of the biggest headlines that came out of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft were the selection of two Blazers Forwards, Nathan Behm and Tommy Lafreniere. Behm was selected 66th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks after a breakout season with the Blazers, in which he scored 31 goals, with 35 assists and 66 points in 59 games. Lafreniere, who scored 24 goals, with 32 assists, earning 56 points in his rookie season, was chosen in the third round by the Edmonton Oilers. Lafreniere was third among first-year players last season for most points. Both players are attending training camps with their respective NHL clubs this fall.
Alongside the draft picks, returning NHL prospects Emmitt Finnie (Detroit) and Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh) are back at their respective camps this fall, joined by goaltender Ivans Kufterins, who received a free-agent invite from the Utah Hockey Club. Kufterins, a recent addition to the Blazers roster, was taken as their first-round pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Finnie, a signed agent with Detroit, finished off his season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, where he tallied five points in 10 games. This year, he is expected to remain in Grand Rapids, resulting in the Blazers losing a strong forward and their team captain.
One of the most notable offseason additions for the Kamloops Blazers is J.P. Hurlbert, a 2008-born American prospect from Allen, Texas. Hurlbert spent last season with the U.S National Development Program, where he earned 31 points in 34 games, leading the scoring in the program. In his first pre-season outing with Kamloops, Hurlbert made an immediate impact, scoring a hat trick in a 6-0 win over the Kelowna Rockets.
The Blazers also added 2009-born goaltender Kaeden Tate on Sept. 9, welcoming forward Josh Evaschesen, a prospect expected to bring size and energy to the lineup, the day prior. However, to make room for these players, the Blazers had to release three forwards from their training camp: Escalus Burlock, Nishaan Parmar, and veteran Max Sullivan.
With several roster changes and the addition of new talent alongside key veterans, the Blazers enter the season with a shake-up of the roster in the last two seasons. With the additions of highly notable prospects like Hurlbert and Evaschesen, combined with the offensive potential of returning players, the team is well-positioned to be competitive in the Western Conference.
The Blazers will open their season on Sept. 20 at the Sandman Centre, taking on the Spokane Chiefs.