The Kamloops Blazers are keeping it all in the family.

The Western Hockey League club has signed 16-year-old forward Mitchell Lipon to a standard WHL contract. Lipon is the younger brother of Blazer JC Lipon. Mitchell plays with the Regina Pat Canadians of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League (SMHL).

The Regina native attended the Blazers' fall training camp and was added to the club's 50-man list at the conclusion of camp. Lipon has had a standout season with the Pat Canadians, scoring 13 goals and adding 20 assists for 33 points in 26 games this season.

Lipon leads his team in scoring and is tied for fourth in SMHL scoring.

“We were ecstatic with his work ethic and skill in our training camp,” said Matt Recchi, Kamloops' director of player personnel.

“He has gone back to midget and has been an elite player at that level all season. We look forward to continuing to watch his progress and expect him to make our team next season.”

Mitchell and fellow 16-year-old defenceman Connor Clouston — who plays with the Medicine Hat Tigers Midget AAA team — will join the Blazers following the Christmas break and stay with the club from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4.

The Blazers will be without the services of JC Lipon (Canada) and Marek Hrbas (Czech Republic), who are at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia.

Kamloops is also without Jordan Thomson, who will gear up for Team West in this month's Under-17 World Challenge.