The Kamloops Blazers are back at work getting ready to host the 2023 Memorial Cup.

The players were given a five day break after the team bowed out of the playoffs in the Western Conference Championships at the hands of the Seattle Thunderbirds for the second straight season.

Some of the players went home for a mental and physical break, but Blazers Head Coach/GM Shaun Clouston says the activity has been ramping up at McArthur Island since Monday.

“[They’ll] be rested and sort of reenergized and then excited and motivated,” Clouston said.

The Blazers will open up the tournament on May 26 against the QMJHL champions – Quebec or Halifax. Until then, its daily ice sessions, some team building activities, and locking in on their potential opponents. The OHL will be represented by either the London Knights or the Peterborough Petes, while either the Winnipeg Ice or Seattle will represent the WHL.

“Its pretty weird,” goaltender Dylan Ernst said, of the unfamiliar opponents. “Looking across the ice and you see teams you’ve only heard about pretty much, but its going to be a fun experience.”

Forward Matthew Seminoff says there are some positives to take away after the loss to Seattle in the Conference Finals. The Saint John Sea Dogs – the host and winners of last year’s Memorial Cup – were eliminated in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs, and had a nearly 40-day layoff between games.

“We got some time to practice though we want to still be playing for a chance to win the league but it’ll be good to get some rest, get on the ice and practice a bit, spend some time with the guys, regroup, and have a fresh start.”

“We have a second chance.”

Practice almost feels like training camp, Seminoff says, noting the players have all come back with one mindset as the Blazers prepare for their seventh appearance at the Memorial Cup. They’ve won the tournament a record three times (1992, 1994, 1995) tied with the Cornwall Royals (1972, 1980, 1981) and the Windsor Spitfires (2009, 2010, 2017).

“Its another chance to win a tournament, to have a good end of the season I guess,” Seminoff said. “It’ll be fun to just prepare and then go after it.”

“[The break] gave us some time to think about the last series. It gave us some time away from the rink and then we came back to prepare for the cup. The boys are feeling good right now.”

Ernst too says the team has to take advantage of the second chance as hosts of the Memorial Cup. Kamloops last hosted the tournament in 1995, though they won their way into the tournament as WHL Champions that year.

“Honestly, losing out of playoffs feels the same as it always does, bit lucky for us we get another chance to prove what we can do,” he said.

With 103 points in the 68-game regular season, it was the Blazers first 100 point season since 1998-99, when they finished with 109 in 72 games. The won their fourth consecutive BC Division title in the process, and at 48 wins, came up just short of their first 50 win season since 1994-95 when they won 52 of 72 games.

Off the ice, there will be plenty for hockey and non-hockey fans.

The Glorious Sons will help kick off the tournament with a concert on May 25. Among the many other off-ice events being held during the Memorial Cup, the Blazing Trails Leadership Series presented by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc will be highlighted by six-time Olympic medallist and mental health advocate Clara Hughes.

“We have over 500 volunteers that are going to be part of this event,” Local host committee co-chair – and Blazers President – Norm Daley said. “There are thousands of hours of volunteer hours being spent. Its just amazing how Kamloops steps up at these major events and comes through.”

Fellow co-chair Yves Lacasse shared in the sentiments.

“We are extremely excited. The team is really pumped,” he said. “We have recruited an amazing group of volunteers to be part of the host org committee and I’m so proud of what they’ve done.”

You can find a schedule of events and more of RadioNL’s coverage of the Memorial Cup here.