Ten Reasons Why Luke Moffatt Should Choose the Rockets

These are the ten reasons, in no particular order, why Luke Moffatt should join the Kelowna Rockets next season.

10) Location:

The Rockets are situated in arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Western Canada. I am a bit biased here, but if you've ever visited Kelowna, you have to admit it's a pretty special place. Is it any reason why so many NHL players make it their off-season home?
The game is played on the ice, but a parent wants to make sure their child is left in a quality environment. There are much worse cities to have your son playing junior hockey than Kelowna. Plus Moffatt's dad is from Vancouver originally, so the area is not unfamiliar territory for Luke or his family.

9) Arena:

What type of an environment do the Moffatt's want their son to play in? While Prospera Place isn't exactly a palace, it's still a pretty sweet junior rink. It's relatively new - 1999 - and is full to capacity every night. Playing in a pro-type of environment, even as a junior age player, can't but help him as he prepares for the next level.

8) Ownership:

Rockets GM and majority owner Bruce Hamilton is no dummy. He knows how to build a winner, and runs a first rate organization. Hamilton takes great pride in being on top, and failing to miss the playoffs last season was a bitter pill for him to swallow. Hamilton hates to lose, and will do whatever is necessary to produce a winner. For Bruce Hamilton, the goal is not to fill his pockets full of cash by filling the building. It's all about winning championships.

7) Alumni:

Luke Moffatt, I encourage you to talk to two former Rockets who were wooed into giving the NCAA a try, and ended up on the doorstep of the Rockets. Chuck Kobasew and Duncan Keith are now in the NHL thanks to a stop in Kelowna. Were the Rockets solely responsible for these two players acceleration to the pro's? Not necessarily. But the move to Kelowna gave them a fast track to where Luke Moffatt wants to go - the NHL.

6) The Team:

The Rockets are on the upswing. I know. I know. Their is no where to go but up, but Moffatt would join a team next season that would surely be a season away from challenging for a league title. If Moffatt joins the team at 16, players like Kyle St. Denis will be 18 while goaltender Torrie Jung will be 19. Coupled with the fact that Tyson Barrie will be a 17 year-old sophomore when Moffatt breaks into the WHL, and you have a team loaded with high-end older and younger talent from the goaltender out.

5) The Schedule:

The WHL boosts a 72 game schedule, just shy of the 84 games that the big boys play. Those long bus rides, games and schooling are building blocks for future players at the NHL level. Is it wonder why so many NHL GM's encourage draft picks to leave college hockey and develop their game at the WHL level?

4) Expectations:

Sure every WHL team wants to win, but is their any reason why the last Saskatchewan based team to win a league title was the Swift Current Broncos in 1989? Smaller market teams are at a disadvantage whether the league, or it's fans residing in those cities want to believe it. Whether it's scouting or recruiting of players, some teams just do a better job of it, and no one did it better starting in 2000 than the Kelowna Rockets. Having won two titles in 2003 and again in 2005 has the bar set extremely high in Kelowna. The Rockets don't just want to compete for a title on a four year cycle, they want to win it outright.

3) Teammates:

Let's don't put the cart before the horse, but if Kyle Verdino makes the Rockets this season as a 16 year-old rookie, Moffatt would be able to make a comfortable adjustment to the dressing room with a familiar face at his side. Verdino and Moffatt played hockey together in Phoenix, and are not only former teammates, but good friends.

2) NHL Exposure:

Sure NHL scouts do watch college games, but more NHL scouts are able to see a player like Moffatt more times over the course of the season. The biggest concern players face is a one time viewing by an NHL scout. A one time viewing, combined with an off game, can have a player leaving a bad impression on a scout. A second viewing, followed by a strong showing by the player, can often change the scouts mind in a hurry.

1) I'm Selfish:

I'll admit it. I'd love to see Moffatt on the Rockets roster. By all reports, he is the real deal. He is as skilled as they come, and could be the best 16 year-old this team has ever seen. While still young, Moffatt would likely make an immediate impact offensively, and would be a joy to watch along with Kyle St. Denis.