The Kamloops Blazers are touting a solid NHL Draft after three players were selected this year, including a first round selection for the first time in 13 years.

Connor Zary’s was drafted 24th overall by the Calgary Flames, a testament to his drive according to Blazers General Manager Matt Bardsley.

“We’re happy for him and his family, he really wants it and worked hard to achieve it,” Bardsley told NL Sports.

“Really happy for the organization, it has been awhile. We want players who are coming to Kamloops to know that they are going to get the opportunity to get drafted. This is something we want to do year in and year out.”

On day two of the draft, Blazers starting goaltender Dylan Garand was a fourth round selection of the New York Rangers – 103rd overall.

“For a lot of us we certainly believe he’s one of the best goaltenders in North America and he earned that right. We all know how focused on how driven he is,” added Bardsley, after Garand was taken over several goaltenders who were rated above him going into the draft. “He wants to prove that he is the guy.”

The third Blazer drafted this year has yet to play a game with the team. Swedish import defenceman Viktor Persson was a seventh round selection of the Vancouver Canucks. He was the Blazers first round pick during the CHL Import Draft in June.

Forward Josh Pillar went undrafted despite being ranked as the 120th best North American skater by NHL’s Central Scouting. Bardsley says by no means is that the end of the road for the Warman, SK, native.

“I felt he was going to be selected. I think we see now there’s a lot of second year eligible players bounce back.  I know he’s going to have a strong season and he’ll get another opportunity,” added Bardsley.

Counting Viktor Persson, it’s the first time since 2004 that the Blazers have had three or more players selected in a single NHL Draft.