Team
1994 Kamloops Jardine Blazer “AAA” Bantam Hockey Team
Year of Induction: 2010
The 1994 Kamloops Jardine Blazer “AAA” Bantam hockey team carved an unprecedented path through minor hockey under the tutelage of late head coach Mickey Fritz, assistant John Bradley, and manager Marv Pederson.
The JB’s went 96-3 & 1 winning tournaments in Penticton, Kamloops, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Prince George, and St. Albert. Aside from those six, the Jardine Blazers also became the first Kamloops team to win the prestigious Kamloops International Bantam Tournament and the BC Bantam Championship giving it eight tournament titles that season. The only tournament they lost was the 1994 Western Canadian Bantam Championship hosted by Kamloops Minor Hockey dropping the title game to the Alberta champions from Leduc.
The team captain was Brent Fritz with Chris Fleury, John Bradley Jr., and Wes Pederson as alternates. Fritz, Fleury, and Bradley all made the grade in the WHL along with three others Ajay Baines, Derek Paget, and Jeff Blair who all became stars in the league and went on to play pro hockey.
Other members of the team included goaltender Trevor Elliot, defensemen Brad Nowicki, Mark Crabtree, and Stephen Underwood along with forwards Kevin Rozek, Matt Ward, Rob Petrie, Jeff Johnson, Ryan Buckman, and Stephen Gayfer.