Two years ago, the West Kelowna Warriors were intrigued by the potential of a 15-year-old defenceman who was playing midget hockey in Kelowna.
Turns out that Kristian Blumenschein was everything the BCHL club hoped he would be—and more.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound rookie leads all Warriors’ defensemen in points this season with 21, including 19 assists, in 26 games.
Blumenschein first caught the eye of Warriors’ former assistant coach, Shae Naka, when he was playing with the tier 1 Rockets.
“Shae gets all the credit for it,” said West Kelowna head coach and GM Rylan Fertser. “He said this kid’s got a chance to be something special, then it just took on a life of its own. I don’t think a lot of people saw it, so we’re lucky to have him.”
Blumenschein, who moved to Kelowna from Vancouver Island when he was 12, played last season with the Okanagan Rockets where he celebrated a B.C. Major Midget League title and a trip to the Telus Cup in Moose Jaw, Sask.—an experience that made the jump to junior A that much smoother.
“Practicing against guys like Tyson Jost and Jake Kryski, and going to the Telus Cup, you can’t help but be a better player,” said Blumenschein, 17, who also credits Ferster for making the transition to the BCHL game a positive one.
“Rylan has shown a lot of confidence in me, has played me a lot and has given me the chance to succeed. It’s been a great move for me.”
Ferster said Blumenschein brings all the attributes to the ice that a coach could want.
“He logs a lot of minutes for us and has played very well,” said Ferster. “He sees the game well and competes hard, both offensively and defensively. Some people compare him to (former Warriors’ defenceman) Adam Plant, not a real big guy who competes.”
And it’s not only the Warriors who have recognized the young rearguard’s talent. Blumenschein is one of three West Kelowna players who have been invited to tryout for Team Canada West for the upcoming World Jr. A Challenge in Kindersley, Sask.
Blumenschein and the Warriors (14-8-0-5) will battle the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in a home-and-home set this weekend. Friday night the teams will square off at Royal LePage Place, followed by a rematch on Saturday at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm.
