2026 WHL Graduates: Kamloops Blazers
2026 WHL Graduates: Kamloops Blazers
Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series.
Today, we continue with the graduating trio from the Kamloops Blazers
Jordan Keller (F)
Hometown: Kamloops, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 264 GP – 94 G-108 A – 202 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Third Round, 48th Overall (Saskatoon Blades)
For Jordan Keller, the phrase ‘all roads lead home’ couldn’t be more true.
After a junior hockey career that spanned parts of five seasons across two Clubs, the 21-year-old is exiting the Western League as a member of his hometown club, the Kamloops Blazers.
But, despite ending his campaign with Kamloops, Keller’s career first began two provinces over.
Keller was originally selected 48th overall by the Saskatoon Blades in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, making his WHL debut don December 4, 2021 against the Winnipeg ICE. In total, Keller spent the two-plus seasons as a member of the Blades, including a 30-point campaign in 66 games during the 2022-23 WHL Season.
On November 24, 2023, Keller was sent to the Kamloops Blazers as part of the blockbuster trade that saw Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten move to Saskatoon. Eager to play in front of his hometown, Keller made his Blazers debut one day after being acquired by Kamloops. The forward also scooped up his first point with the Blazers in the same outing, assisting on a goal in a 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Giants.
Keller went on to record 43 points (17 G-26 A) to round out the 2023-24 season with the Blazers.
And, while impressive, the hometown forward was just getting started.
In his first full campaign with Kamloops, Keller set a career high in goals (31), assists (34), and points (65). The forward also led the WHL in power-play goals in the same season, collecting 19 tucks on the ‘man advantage.’
Keller’s final WHL campaign followed a similar tune, as the British Columbian recorded his third consecutive 50-plus point season. In 53 regular season appearances Keller racked up 55 points (27 G-28 A), boasting a points-per-game average of over one for the first time his in junior hockey career.
Keller closes out his WHL career with 202 points (94 G-108 A) in 264 regular season games, including more than 150 points in a Blazers uniform.
Ryan Michael (D)
Hometown: Langley, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 231 GP – 10 G-72 A – 82 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Third Round, 62nd Overall (Kamloops Blazers)
For the first time in five seasons, the Kamloops Blazers will dress a blueline that will be without longtime defenceman, Ryan Michael.
The 2005-born defenceman is departing from the Western Hockey League having completed his 20-year-old season in Kamloops.
Originally selected 62nd overall by the Kamloops Blazers in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Michael first made his WHL debut on October 2, 2021 – recording as assist against the Prince George Cougars.
The Langley, B.C., product continued his hot streak in his first full season, leading all Blazers rookies in points with 12 (3 G-9 A) in 60 regular season games
Michael continued to develop his game over the next two seasons, becoming a key part of the Blazers’ blue line and leadership group. After serving as the Club’s alternate captain for two seasons, Michael’s farewell campaign was further celebrated by his promotion to team captain for the 2025-26 season..
And, the newly-minted captain responded with a career year offensively.
Michael registered a career-best three goals, 31 assists, and 34 points in 67 regular season appearances, leading all Kamloops defencemen in scoring for the the 2025-26 campaign.
In total, Michael suited up with the Blazers on 231 occasions, closing out his WHL career with an impressive 82 points (10 G-72 A).
Rhett Ravndahl (D)
Hometown: Birch Hills, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 199 GP – 9 G-29 A – 38 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Fourth Round, 83rd Overall (Portland Winterhawks)
The Western League will miss you, Rhett!
After hearing his named called in the fourth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft by the Portland Winterhawks, the Birch Hills, Sask., product didn’t wait long before stapling himself into the WHL scene. The blueliner made his WHL debut with the Winterhawks on September 24, 2022, against the Kelowna Rockets – and collected his first career point, an assist, just one game later.
Ravndahl spent parts of two seasons in Portland, before being acquired by the Brandon Wheat Kings at the 2024 WHL Trade Deadline. The move saw Ravndahl swap spots with former Wheat Kings captain and Detroit Red Wings first-round selection Nate Danielson.
In a similar fashion to his time in Portland, Ravndahl called Brandon home for parts of two seasons. In 57 appearances with the ‘Wheaties,’ the Saskatchewan-born talent collected nine points (3 G-6 A).
On January 7, 2025, Ravndahl was involved in a second trade. This time, the blueliner packed his bags and joined the B.C. Division’s Kamloops Blazers.
It was in Kamloops where the veteran blueliner got the opportunity to step into a larger role with his organization, as he posted a career-best four goals, 12 assists, and 16 points in 55 regular season outings. Ravndahl’s plus-12 rating and 0.29 points-per-game average also went down as career highs in the WHL.
In total, Ravndahl skated in 199 regular season games split between the Winterhawks, Wheat Kings, and Blazers, and finishes his junior career with 38 points (9 G-29 A).
