Josh Bloom

February 2024 – After experiencing mixed results at the beginning of the season with Abbotsford, Bloom was sent down to the ECHL, where the Canucks hoped his transition from junior hockey would be smoother. However, after only eight games there, Bloom was once again sent down, this time to the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. Since his return to the OHL, Bloom appears to have been able to draw on some of his experiences from the beginning of the season and apply them to junior hockey, where he has recorded four goals and 13 points in 17 games. The hope for him is that next season will be the opportune time for his transition to the professional level. Cedrick Blais-Turcotte

May 2023 – Bloom, who split his time with both the Saginaw Spirit and North Bay Battalion, capped off his fourth and final Junior season with decent numbers. He recorded 32 goals and 71 points (career highs), and contributed an additional 12 points (5G + 7A) during a three-round playoff run – which happened to be his first OHL post-season appearance. Throughout the year, the 19-year-old showcased positive growth, displaying strengths in both offensive and defensive areas of the ice, putting together his first “plus” season (plus-19) as a result. Notably, he continued to showcase his strong ability to kill penalties, adding four shorthanded goals to boot. While Bloom’s skill set may not be considered “high-end,” his combination of tenacity, skating ability and size positions him as a promising middle-six NHL player in the future. He is expected to transition to the pro-level next year, where he is likely to stew in Abbotsford for the next few seasons. Dave Hall

November 2022 – After scoring 30 goals and 61 points in 67 games during the 2021-2022 campaign, the Saginaw Spirit leader was named their captain to begin the 2022-2023 season. He continued to lead his team offensively to start the year, scoring seven goals and 16 points in 19 games. On November 16, 2022, the Spirit traded him to the North Bay Battalion, with whom he has one goal and seven points in six games so far. Bloom has been a standout penalty killer and a two-way presence for his teams at the OHL level. He maintains sufficient distance from his opponent both with and without the puck, can shield it from oncoming forecheckers, and can evade the opposition with sharp evasive maneuvers to execute a play. He makes crisp, safe passes to his teammates and also provides a net-front presence in the offensive zone. His offensive output this season has not increased to any significant degree from his previous campaign, but his overall game has continued to become more refined. Kevin Wong