WHL Report: Kamloops Blazers

After a slow start, the Kamloops Blazers have rebounded with a solid 6-3-1 record in their past ten. Leading the way are a host of 2011-eligible skaters.

Tyler Hansen, D, 2011

Simply everything you'd expect a 6'3, 192 lbs defenseman to be.. a dominant player in the corners and along the wall thanks to his brute strength, which may be tops among the 2011 WHL class.. smooth skater in all directions and possesses a technically sound stride, although he is not overwhelmingly fast.. instead, relies on a combination of heads-up decision making and tight positioning to contain opponents.. constantly keeps track mentally of where his teammates are and never so much as flinches when a forechecker- or even two- makes a move for the puck; instead, muscles his way into open ice and calmly relays it up and either out or onto a teammate's stick with a chip off the wall.. although lacking the tools to be an offensive stud, leverages the most possible out of a crisp, accurate outlet pass that Hansen can direct flawlessly from his end to the other team's blueline.. has all the makings of a quiet, quality defensive defenseman who has the muscle to win battles regularly against grown men.

Colin Smith, C, 2011

Although the former seventh overall pick in the 2008 Bantam Draft has produced well both at home- see 35 points in 70 WHL career games four points in five games at the U17s while representing Canada- Smith is very much a player lacking an identity. Despite weighing in at just 5'10 and 167 lbs, the energetic pivot is constantly trying to bang bodies and initiate skirmishes, even those of the fisticuffs variety. However, beyond the fact he does not and may never have the mass to play such a style against men, his physicality extends only beyond the opponent's blueline; Smith plays too high and too soft in his own end, essentially creating a man advantage for the other team.. As a pure offensive talent, Smith shines, especially in the playmaking department.. a smart, decisive puck distributor, Smith at times resembles Jordan Eberle in the way he can dominate play in the offensive zone with his quick curls, soft-touch passes and the ability to identify and jump on turn-overs and rebounds before they happen.. although he owns a fast release and a hard shot, can be guilty of passing up a shot in favor of a pass.. is a speedy skater that leverages his low center of gravity well, but does not have the silky agility of a Tyler Ennis or Patrick Kane.

Jesse Sinatynski, C, 2011

A former 13th round Bantam Draft pick, 5'11 175 lbs Jesse Sinatynski is a raw but intriguing talent.. has that elusive slipperiness only the best smaller forwards possess, and is constantly finding new and inventive ways to break through or around coverage.. oozes offensive talent, whether it's in the way he coolly kicks the puck to his stick mid-deke or in the way he waits that extra second required for a defenseman to screen his own goalie before getting off a quick, accurate snapshot.. reads the play extremely well and makes every move with the intent of either backing off the defense or buying he or his linemates time.. not a defensive dynamo, but shows heart and fight in pursuing the puck carrier and avoids the temptation to take longer shifts than necessary.. despite his unpolished ability, Sinatynski has had difficult sticking and producing in the WHL.. this season, has five points in sixteen total games between the Blazers and Brandon Wheat Kings, whom he was acquired from on October 12th.. although a slick, agile skater who can transition and change gears in an instant, even in the New NHL, it's difficult to imagine Sinatynski being a draft choice unless he nets at least 50 points.. a long-term project.

Dylan Willick, RW, 2011

A crafty forward that feeds well off the puck carrier.. although he stands out in his ability to sneak behind coverage and get his stick open for a good scoring opportunity, Willick struggles with zone penetration.. does not have the elite patience or natural one-on-one savvy required to deke around an opponent, but will try again and again, losing the puck needlessly at the opponent's blueline.. instead, thrives when he is going deep and hustling to pucks, but in contrast to Smith- a frequent linemate- has a bad habit of hanging back and not getting involved in puck pursuit.. despite this shift-to-shift inconsistency, is a much more refined player defensively than Smith.. "gets" the responsibility that comes with being a winger, and continuously puts his body and stick in the right areas to create turn-overs.. his energy here, too, is a factor, as a shadow who isn't moving his feet has no chance at regaining possession.. possesses above-average speed and moves with long, agile strides that get him to top gear in a jiffy.. despite getting off to a good start with 3-3-6 in fourteen games, Willick is not a sure bet to even be drafted.. calling him a perimeter player would be simplistic, but he simply does not have the bevvy of offensive gifts and hockey sense a player of his stature needs to have even a fighting chance at the next level.

JC Lipon, RW, 2011

Speedy forward who can stop and take off effortlessly.. displays excellent confidence and even greater hustle in every situation- a real puck hound.. plays with a high-energy tempo and is one of the first back to pick up the puck carrier, even if he begins the sequence behind the opponent's net.. creates a ton of opportunities with his energy, and is at his best when he is able to knock loose the puck in the neutral zone and get the play going the right away.. despite his non-stop motor, speed and recent growth spurt- he was 5'1 just a few years ago- Lipon has an uphill battle ahead.. although he does a great deal to gain possession and is pound-for-pound one of the toughest fighters in the league, just does not possess any semblance of puck skill in-tight, and his hockey sense is rarely apparent.. is also a poor bet as a PK specialist as he too often gets tunnel vision and follows the biscuit from stick to stick instead of taking away the lane in any substantial fashion.. an asset to a junior team's bottom as a jack-of-all-trades, but the extra skills necessary for the pros simply do not seem to have developed.