Team: Manitoba Moose (AHL)
Team Record: 38-14-0-5
Stats to Date: 46 GP, 6 G, 8 A

Mario has been returned to the WHL after taking part in both the Canucks and Moose main camps. This will be his last season in junior hockey and is expected to take a more offensive role.

Analysis: He doesn’t boast natural offensive instincts, but he does everything in his power to open up areas for his wingers. He’s a great player in the trenches and usually comes out of the corners with the puck. He has a lot of energy to expel, which allows him to play better as a game progresses. He usually cleans up around the crease and gets a lot of “garbage” goals. If he can improve his offensive touch, he could round out into a checking-line center at the NHL level.

Scout Update: Bliznak has emerged as one of the best two-way forwards in the WHL, centering the number one line often with highly-touted prospects Michal Repik (Flordia) and Spencer Machacek (Atlanta). Bliznak has already surpassed last season’s point totals, and remains a key face-off man and tenacious defensive player who rarely, if ever, makes a mistake. As an overager he’s being looked to, to provide leadership to this immensely youthful team, and the Giants are benefitting from this as they are in a battle for the number one spot overall in the WHL.

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Every Prospect Was Kung-Fu Fighting
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Bliznak On Ice