Blades Building From The Net Out, Acquire Kenney
Klinton Kenney playing in the 2014 playoffs with the Amherstburg Admirals – Photo by Devan Mighton
After struggling to find a number one goalie last season, the Blenheim Blades have firmed up that position with the acquisition netminder Klinton Kenney, who played last season for the Amherstburg Admirals. In 19 games, Kenney had a 7-7-1-1 record, with one shutout, a 3.80 GAA, and 0.875 save percentage. Kenney will turn 20 in September.
“He has looked really good in camp,” said Blenheim Blades assistant coach Kent Burk.
The team also signed veteran Eric Stewardson, who took over their starting role last season, after he returned from the Junior B camp he was attending.
On their bluneline, after adding Ben Pataki from the Chatham Junior B Maroons late last season, the Blades added another imposing force, six-foot-five Junior B veteran Bryan Boersma, who spent multiple seasons with the Lambton Shores Predators. Blenheim also has Corbin Hagerman back, and are again waiting on the results of other camps and their exhibition games to fill out their roster on the blueline.
Up front, overage captain Jarred Oliphant is back for his final Junior campaign, as is Tyler Boughner, who will be counted on heavily to propel the Blades’ offense. Blenheim has also signed Dylan Smith, a Blenheim native, who spent last season playing Junior C with the Cumberland Bandits near Ottawa, before transferring this season to the University of Windsor.
Burk also spoke of Chatham forward Justin Baker, who the team signed recently, and is expected to contribute for the Blades. Burk says the Blades expect Baker to “bring speed and grit with hopefully some scoring to our lineup.”
Other moves are in the works by the Blades, however they are waiting to finalize details before releasing more information.
Blenheim opened their preseason schedule with a 4-3 loss to the Wheatley Sharks last Sunday, and will play Wheatley again in preseason action on the road September 6, before starting their 2014-2015 regular season at home Sunday, September 14 against the Lakeshore Canadiens.
The Blades are also looking for someone to film their home games this season, anyone interested is asked to contact Bill Saunders at bill.saunders@blenheimblades.com.