Kamloops Blazers in the NHL 2024-25 Season Review
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The 2024-25 NHL regular season has come to an end, and it’s time to take a look at how former Kamloops Blazers fared this year.
We’ll start with Logan Stankoven, who had one heck of a season. He was involved in the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen trade, moving from the Dallas Stars to the Carolina Hurricanes. Stankoven put up 9 goals and 20 assists for 29 points in 59 games with Dallas before being dealt. He made an immediate impact in Carolina, scoring in his first game and finishing with 5 goals and 9 points in 19 games. The 22-year-old also tallied two goals in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs versus the New Jersey Devils. It’s safe to say the Kamloops native has found his footing in Raleighwood.
Joel Edmundson is another ex-Blazer heading to the playoffs, suiting up for the Los Angeles Kings, who currently hold a 2-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers. A veteran blueliner with a Stanley Cup ring from 2019 with St. Louis, Edmundson played in 73 games this season and contributed 20 points.
Out in Calgary, Connor Zary dealt with injuries but still managed a solid campaign, posting 13 goals and 27 points in 54 games. He’s expected to take a significant step forward in 2025-26 and was even named by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli as one of the top risers for a breakout season. Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska praised Zary for this season and what’s to come, “Puck possession and a different skill set is what he brings to the table for us. So he’ll help our power play units for sure.”
Olen Zellweger, affectionately known as “the rover” by Blazers play-by-play voice Jon Keen, played in a limited role with the Anaheim Ducks but still managed 7 goals and 13 assists gor 20 points in 62 games, sitting second among Ducks’ defenders. With Anaheim’s defense corps beginning to take shape, Zellweger is right there in the mix. He’s trending toward a top-four role and looks poised to become a power-play quarterback like he was during his Blazers days. Don’t be surprised if 2025-26 is his breakout year.
Utah Hockey Club netminder Connor Ingram became a fan favoruite for the new franchise this past season. Ingram put together a 9-8-4 record in 22 games this past season. Ingram is receiving care from the player assistance program currently after enrolling himself back in March. “Earlier this season, I lost my mother to breast cancer. After trying to make a return to playing, I have come to realize that I am not myself,” Ingram wrote on X. “At this point in my life, I need to put my health first and take the proper time I need away to come back at 100%.” The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native has a 39-44-15 record and a .904 save percentage in 201 NHL games.
Finally, Fraser Minten, once a highly touted prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs system, was dealt to the Boston Bruins in exchange for former Tri-City Americans defenceman Brandon Carlo. Minten recorded four points in 15 games with Toronto and added one goal in six appearances for Boston. He’ll be in the mix for a bottom-six spot with the Bruins next season.