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WHL's Kamloops Blazers dynasty of the 1990s to be honoured on Hockey Day in Canada
It was arguably the WHL’s greatest dynasty, the names on the various rosters reflecting some solid to immortal NHLers for the next two decades.
And now that dynasty will be recognized for its incredible feat.
The Kamloops Blazers’ Memorial Cup championship teams from 1992, 1994 and 1995 will be honoured before an alumni game on Thursday. The banner-raising coincides with the league’s 50th anniversary and Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada in the city over the weekend.
The Blazers were the WHL’s – and CHL’s – team of the 1990s, winning not only three league titles but three national championships as well. The three Memorial Cups in four years have never been equalled.
The first trophy-winning squad was anchored by Canadian world junior defencemen Darryl Sydor and Scott Niedermayer and future Olympian Corey Hirsch in net. A young Darcy Tucker also gained some valuable experience for the years ahead.
The Blazers beat the Saskatoon Blades in seven games in the WHL final. They then won the Memorial Cup in Sault Ste. Marie, highlighted by a 5-4 win over the host Greyhounds in the final when Niedermayer sprung Zac Boyer for a breakaway goal with 14.6 seconds remaining.
There was a changing of the guard when the Blazers won their next titles. Don Hay, who’s now back for his second tour of duty, replaced current Hockey Canada boss Tom Renney behind the bench.
Tucker recorded 52 goals and 140 points to go along with 143 penalty minutes in 1993-94. The team featured future NHLers Hnat Domenichelli, Tyson Nash, Nolan Baumgartner, Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Brad Lukowich and Jason Strudwick.
Once again, the Blazers knocked off the Blades in seven in the league final. Once again, they edged the hosts in the Memorial Cup final, this time the Laval Titan 5-3.
With the core largely intact in 1994-95, the Blazers weren’t resting on their laurels as Memorial Cup hosts. Tucker, a world junior gold medallist, paced the attack with 137 points. Domenichelli tallied 114 points, while Doan chipped in 94. Iginla, 17, averaged nearly a point per game (71 in 72).
The Blazers needed six games to win the WHL final over the Brandon Wheat Kings and blasted the Detroit Junior Red Wings 8-2 in the Memorial Cup clincher.
The string of trophies from 1992 to 1995 was probably the crown jewel for what is the WHL’s most successful organization.
No franchise in league history has made more playoff appearances (44), won more championships (11) or claimed more Memorial Cups (five). The other two Canadian championships were won before the team moved to Kamloops.
Ernie (Punch) McLean’s New Westminster Bruins were champs in 1977 and 1978. Those national titles were part of four straight WHL championships – beginning in 1975 – something the Blazers of the early 1990s never accomplished. Vancouver Canucks great Stan Smyl was a member of all four teams, playing a key part in the last three.
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