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Blazers lowering expectations for season-opener with veterans missing at NHL camp

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The lack of available players means 15-year-old Nathan Behm, the Blazers’ first-round pick, 13th overall, in this year’s WHL Prospects Draft will dress for the opener — a rare sight to see a 15-year-old on opening night. old prospect suit up.

“Yeah, I’m pretty excited. It’ll be a great opportunity. We’ve got a great group this year, and I think if we stick to our game plan we’ll be fine. I’m excited,” he said.

Meanwhile, veterans used to third-line minutes last season will be slotted into top-six roles on Friday. Twenty-year-old Drew Englot will be on the top line with Connor Levis and Dylan Sydor.

“Younger guys just have an opportunity. Everyone just gets bumped up in the line-up,” said Englot. “During the camp, I’ve seen the younger guys. They’ve been awesome, really good. They’ve improved tremendously from camp to now. I was practicing yesterday and I thought they were really good. With those guys, I think they’re going to step up. I believe in them.”

The second line will be centered by Ethan Rowland with wingers Emmitt Finnie and newcomer Ashton Ferster, recently picked up in a trade with Medicine Hat.

With a younger line-up, it means being more disciplined if you want to have a chance to beat Portland.

“Make sure we keep our shifts short. It’s tough when you’re fresh. It gets extra hard to handle a fast-paced team like Portland when you’re tired, so we want to make sure our line changes are efficient,” he said.

Clouston knows with guys filling unfamiliar roles, the expectations won’t be the same.

“We’re not there tomorrow night where we believe, ‘Hey if we play our game, we’re going to win.’ We’re going to have to play our game, do a lot of things really well, and I think that gives us an opportunity.”

Dylan Ernst will start in goal to open what is an exciting season ahead for the Kamloops Blazers.