Canucks: How Josh Bloom embraced Vancouver, grew blossoming recreation

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For a man who had by no means been to Vancouver, Josh Bloom sounded extra like he was from Osoyoos, B.C. than Oakville, Ont.

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The Ontario Hockey League left winger had simply accomplished the third day of the Canucks’ growth camp at UBC on Tuesday, and the primary matter of debate was his admiration for Vancouver and its rabid hockey followers. 

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“I used to be a Leafs man and Phil Kessel might actually rip the (puck), however I needed to look at extra hockey,” recalled Bloom.

As a child, he at all times tried to take his ardour for all issues West Coast to a different degree.

“I bear in mind late nights and my dad and mom would at all times attempt to kick me to mattress,” Bloom recalled. “Vancouver video games would come on at 10 o’clock again dwelling. We’d end watching the Leafs recreation and I used to be begging them to remain up and watch another hockey recreation.

“Little stuff like that rising up jogs my memory of Vancouver, and it’s superior to be part of this group. Watching the Sedins and Burrows and Bieksa and that complete group there. It was nice.”

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So, think about what Bloom felt like in February when he was shipped right here by the Buffalo Sabres in a swap for defenceman Riley Stillman? The Canucks had been enamoured by his capacity to play at tempo, be laborious to play in opposition to, play up and down the lineup, kill penalties, discover the web, and carry the tradition as a captain.

They didn’t know they had been getting any person who might work in workforce advertising and marketing after he heard in regards to the transaction.

“I used to be ecstatic. Very excited,” mentioned the 20-year-old Bloom, who seems like a participant, appears like a participant, and even sports activities a mullet. “I seemed to Vancouver as an unbelievable spot and a Canadian market and the followers love their workforce. There’s been such a buzz across the metropolis whereas we’re right here.

“There’s not rather more you would need.”

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Nicely, the playoffs can be good.

In a 2022-23 season the place Bloom was first dealt from the Saginaw Spirit to the North Bay Battalion in November and completed the OHL season with 71 factors (32-39) — after which added a dozen factors (5-7) in 20 postseason video games — it proved the 6-foot-2, 185-pound ahead might present up when it actually mattered.

And being challenged bodily and mentally in a 12 months of change isn’t misplaced on anyone attempting to get a learn on Bloom. He was a 2021 third-round draft alternative by the Sabres, however deemed expendable by a glut of wingers within the group.

“I received an opportunity to make an awesome playoff run in North Bay — one other objective in Sport 6 and Sport 7 and we might have been transferring on to the ultimate,” mentioned Bloom. “It was an unbelievable expertise for me to be taught from.”

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Bloom was additionally a captain in Saginaw, and the Canucks have at all times been drawn to prospects who shoulder a number of duty on prime of rising their video games.

“I liked the position and realized classes alongside the best way in what works with sure guys and what doesn’t. A really beneficial expertise.”

To be taught from Henrik and Daniel Sedin this week was a surreal expertise. Their easy-going, no-ego method to make prospects comfy — whereas offering a grasp class in ability growth — left fairly the impression.

“Hank got here as much as me and had a dialog like I used to be simply one other man,” mentioned Bloom. “It was a bizarre expertise. I grew up watching these guys and so they’re idols to a ton of individuals. Fairly cool.

“And Daniel was incredible to work with on board drills and suggestions that may go a great distance, and also you couldn’t have a greater man to be taught from, proper?

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“They usually seem like they may nonetheless play.”

Taking the following profession leap to a professional degree would require Bloom to construct on what he already does nicely.

“After I’m taking part in my greatest, it’s with a ton of tempo with or with out the puck, transferring my toes, getting scoring alternatives and being dependable within the D-zone. I’ve additionally realized to play a PK position and it’s one of many higher elements of my recreation.

“I’m simply attempting to get higher on daily basis and never assume an excessive amount of in regards to the future. Major camp goes to be very aggressive and thrilling and I’m going to have an enormous summer season. I can’t wait to get began.”

Coaches like gamers with versatility and that may very well be the place Bloom blossoms as a professional. Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet prefers to deploy forwards in pairs, particularly if they’ll work in unison in a shutdown position or the penalty kill like Nils Aman and Dakota Joshua.

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“There’s going to be an enormous progress interval to my recreation after I flip professional,” predicted Bloom. “I embrace each position and that’s what helps me play up and down the lineup.”

The ultimate ceremony of growth camp passage would be the notorious Grouse Grind. 

“I’ve heard tales,” laughed Bloom.

Final month, in a multiple-climb occasion problem to lift funds for North Shore Rescue, the Sedins ascended the two.9-kilometre path 11 occasions.

“That’s wild,” marvelled Bloom. “It’s a particular group to be part of.”

And stuffed with particular individuals.

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