Kalinski leaves Blazers

By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
The Kamloops Blazers’ roster is at 21 today following the departure of
centre Devon Kalinski.
The 18-year-old Kalinski, who is from La Corey, Alta., informed the WHL team
Wednesday morning that he was going home.
“He just wasn’t willing to accept his role on the team,” general manager
Craig Bonner said. “He didn’t want to play a third- or fourth-line role and
wasn’t happy with the amount of icetime he was getting.”
Kalinski was acquired in January from the Calgary Hitmen, along with a 2008
second-round bantam draft pick, for centre Brock Nixon, 20, and a 2008
sixth-round pick.
He had six points in 30 games with the Blazers last season. This season, he
was pointless in eight games and twice was a healthy scratch, including
Monday when the Blazers lost 3-2 to the visiting Prince Albert Raiders.
Asked if he was surprised that Kalinski left, Bonner replied: “Not really.”
“We weren’t expecting him to come in today and do what he did,” Bonner
continued, “but it didn’t surprise me. When I took the job, I really thought
two-thirds of the crew would survive and a third wouldn’t. To me, he’s one
of those guys.”
Bonner added that he isn’t about to stand in the way of anyone else who may
want to leave.
“If guys don’t want to buy into the Blazers and being a part of it, then
they can move on,” he said. “We want guys who want to be part of the
Blazers. Guys have to be willing to accept different roles and if they want
more they have to earn it.”
Bonner said he would like to carry 22 players — meaning there would be one
extra defenceman and an extra forward — but that he isn’t concerned about
being at 21. The Blazers also have two prospects — defenceman Daniel
Medland-Marchen and forward Ryan Hanes — with the junior B Kamloops Storm.
Hanes is sidelined at the moment with an ankle problem.
There could be more changes with the Blazers today, as the WHL’s 20-year-old
deadline arrives. Teams have to declare a maximum of three such players.
The Blazers are carrying two — forwards Kenton Dulle and Scott Wasden — so
have room for an addition, but Bonner isn’t holding his breath.
“You don’t know until you see the list of available 20 years olds,” Bonner
said. “But I don’t see a whole lot being available. I’ll never say never but
I don’t think we’ll do anything.”