Josh Bloom hoping to use Young Stars Classic as learning opportunity ahead of 2024-25 season

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Cooper Godin
September 15, 2024 (6:37 PM)

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Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom is hoping to use the Young Stars Classic as learning opportunity ahead of 2024-25 season.

The 2023-24 season was an up and down one for Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom. At the beginning of the year, it was believed that he was done with junior hockey and was making the jump to the professional game.

Bloom started the season in the American Hockey League with Abbotsford, but just two months into the year, was assigned to the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings. His stint in Kalamazoo didn't last long as a few weeks later, the Canucks decided that sending Bloom back to the OHL for his overage season was the right move. Bloom was assigned to the Memorial Cup host Saginaw Spirit who ended up winning it all in early June.

With Bloom's junior hockey career now over, his focus is on earning a full-time spot with the Abbotsford Canucks. In an interview with Lindsey Horsting, Bloom said that he's hoping to use the Young Stars Classic as a learning opportunity, to focus on growth as well as gaining confidence ahead of his first full season of professional hockey.

"Putting my best foot forward is the goal of the week and hopefully take away some stuff from Manny and the staff here to get into the swing of things going into main camp,' Bloom said.

He added, "Getting to see them again and talking hockey and getting into the day in day out again is really fun to be a part of. Obviously being in the room with all the guys is one of the best parts of hockey so getting to see all those familiar faces."

Bloom, 21, finished the season strong in the Ontario Hockey League with Saginaw, registering 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists), 15 penalty minutes and was a plus-18 in 34 games. He went on to add 11 points in 17 playoff games and six points in five games at the Memorial Cup.

The most likely landing spot for Josh Bloom is Abbotsford for the 2024-25 season where he'll likely play a middle-six role for the team. This is a big year for him, learning the ropes in the professional game while he also hopes to take a step forward in his development.

Source: Lindsey Horsting/Vancouver Canucks
Josh Bloom Focused on Growth and Gaining Confidence at Young Stars Classic