Almond Won't Be Home Sick/Oldies 1150 Changes

• If Cody Almond had a problem being home sick last year, it won't be an issue this season. The Kelowna Rockets leading scorer from last season saw his mom and dad move from Calgary to Kelowna this summer. Almond will now be living at home with his parents this season. The Almond's are following in the footsteps of Brandon McMillan's family, who moved from Delta, BC to Kelowna last season.
• It was nice to see three alumni taking in the Rockets ice session last night at Prospera Place. Justin Keller was hanging out with Blake Comeau and Clayton Barthel. Comeau is rooming with Barthel and Troy Bodie this summer. Comeau is the landlord of the two, after buying a home in Kelowna just a block away from Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber. What's home ownership like for the personable Comeau? "It's awesome", he said with a chuckle. "It's a little different trying to keep it clean, but I put my foot down and keep those other two in line."
• Sophomore defenseman Riley McIntosh admits he got off to a slow start at training camp this year after falling ill just prior to the start of camp. The soft spoken McIntosh says he was busy putting on weight this summer to add to his 6 foot 5 frame. McIntosh is now tipping the scales at about 195 pounds.
• Rockets goaltender Torrie Jung is likely sharing stories with his younger brother, who is attending a WHL training camp of his own this week. Jung's brother Mikael is at the camp of the Vancouver Giants. Mikael was selected by the Giants in the 6th round of the WHL draft.
• In case your wondering the Rockets will open an exhibition tournament in Edmonton with a game Saturday afternoon against the expansion Oil Kings. The Rockets face Swift Current Sunday at 11 am followed by a game against Regina Monday also at 11 am.
• Kelowna's newest radio station is launched today, as Oldies 1150 now becomes AM 1150 - News - Talk - Sports. The new change means the music is gone, and the radio station becomes all talk. For sports fans, it means Kelowna Rockets, Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions and Kelowna Falcons play-by-play. World Junior games are also planned for Christmas. The format change means Dan Russell's Sportstalk in the evenings, ESPN radio from midnight to 6am and Bob McCown's Toronto based Primetime Sports talk show weekdays from 3 until 4. Being a sports fan, the change is music to my ears.
• If you get a chance at training camp, stop by the Rockets store 'In The Crease' and check out some of the Rockets souvenirs. Kim Sylvester, the Rockets store manager, does a great job of bringing in new Rockets apparel, and has some discounted clothing that is priced to sell.