The newest member of the Nanaimo Clippers will try to make up for lost time.
Mason Blacklock, acquired last week from the Langley Rivermen in exchange for Brodie Jamieson, made his debut this past weekend in a win and a loss for the Clips.
Blacklock wasn’t just getting used to a new team, he was getting used to game speed, too – the 17-year-old from White Rock had hardly played this month, awaiting a trade.
“I just didn’t think I fit in well with the [Rivermen],” he said. “I’m really happy to be here in Nanaimo; I’ve loved it so far and I’m sure I’m going to like it even more each day.”
He was immediately thrown into the lineup last Friday against his former team with only limited practice time with the Clippers.
“The first game I felt my timing was off a bit,” he said. “I definitely felt a lot better the second game. It’s still going to take a few more games for me to get back into it.”
He’ll have to be a quick study and learn his new team’s systems of play. Blacklock said he’s familiar with some of the strategies, while others are brand-new.
“You can watch other guys on the shifts before,” he said. “I was able to pick them up. I’ve still got some stuff to learn.”
Blacklock has good size at 6-foot-1, 192 pounds, and good speed, too. He says he has offensive touch as a goal scorer or a playmaker, but to start, he’ll keep things simple.
“They’re just looking for me to work hard, all-around.”
GAME ON … The Clippers' next game is this Friday (Oct. 28) at Frank Crane Arena against the Victoria Grizzlies. The faceoff will be at 7 p.m.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com