Ex-Edmonton Oilers scout Stu MacGregor becomes new GM of Kamloops Blazers

Stu MacGregor has made his way back to the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers after scouting in the NHL for the last 17 years. The organization announced that he has replaced general manager Craig Bonner, who stepped down from his position today after nine years to become a scout for the Dallas Stars.

“We are thrilled to have Stu join our organization at this time,” said Blazers co-owner Tom Gaglardi in the release. “We believe his experience and knowledge will benefit our Club, and his long association with our head coach, Don Hay, creates an incredible tandem of leadership for the Kamloops Blazers.”

Coincidentally, MacGregor left Kamloops’ GM position in 1998 to scout for the Stars. He went on to spend 15 years with the Edmonton Oilers, including the last eight years as the team’s director of amateur scouting. The Oilers fired him this past June when Peter Chiarelli took over as the club’s new general manager.

Ultimately, it seems the change will be a breath of fresh air in Kamloops. Besides making it to the Western Conference final in 2011-12, the Blazers went through some tough times under Bonner. They missed the playoffs the past two years and only made it beyond the first round twice in nine years. Moreover, they have yet to win a game this season with six matches under their belt.

Bonner had his good and bad moves in the GM chair. One of his most notable deals was when he managed to acquire 2013 first-round bantam pick Jake Kryski in a trade with the Prince Albert Raiders for then-overage goalie Cole Cheveldave. He clearly came out on top of that one when taking into account how Cheveldave didn’t exactly work out in Prince Albert and how Kryski has developed into a promising young forward. Albeit it’s easy to say with hindsight vision, but trading their 2015 first-round pick to Moose Jaw for St. Louis Blues pick Joel Edmundson around the 2013 trade deadline didn't pay off in the end . The Warriors drafted highly regarded Manitoba prospect Jett Woo fourth overall with that pick and the Blazers weren't able to win a championship with Edmundson.

Time will tell on whether MacGregor can bring the Blazers back to their glory days, but he certainly has the resume to suggest he can get it done. In addition, he takes over a squad with a handful of appealing building blocks such as Kryski, 17-year-old centre Garrett Pilon and rookie defenceman Nolan Kneen. The potential is there for Kamloops to become a force in the Western Conference within the next couple of seasons.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen