Things That Make Me Go Hmm...

• Tonight's intra squad game is just another opportunity for a new face to strut their stuff. While it is a no-brainer that the Long's, Benn's and Schenn's are automatics to make this years team, it's just one more chance for a rookie to show that he is worthy of sticking around for a series of exhibition games.
• I'll attend the intra squad game tonight, and share some thoughts on some of the players I liked and didn't. The fact the Rockets have brought back the intra squad game is a great idea.
• With eight veterans off to NHL camps, I would anticipate the Rockets being very selective on who they release following the conclusion of the exhibition schedule. With Schenn, Myers and Benn the most likely candidates to see some NHL exhibition action, those three may not even return to Kelowna until three games into the WHL season. Schenn will be given every chance to make the Leafs considering he's a first round pick, with the same holding true for Myers IN Buffalo. Benn has signed a contract with Dallas, meaning they will want to see him in some game action.
• Tysen Dowzak (Rangers), Brandon McMillan (Anaheim), Colin Long (Phoenix), Torrie Jung (Tampa Bay), and Cody Almond (Minnesota) will also attend an NHL training camp.
• In talking to Rockets #1 bantam pick Shane McColgan, it appears he's all but decided to join the team next season. McColgan has yet to sign a WHL players contract, but that will surely be done when he is called up to play with the team in December when Myers, Schenn, Benn, Long and possibly McMillan attend a World Junior camp. It almost sounded like a slam dunk that McColgan would join the Rockets next season after an article in Friday's Capital News. Even McColgan's dad believes the WHL is the route to go. And when the parent is talking that way, the player is surely taking a similar stance on the issue.
• Is Shane McColgan a possible captain of this hockey club down the road? You don't want to put the cart before the horse, but he has left a tremendous impression on everyone he has come into contact with at training camp this year. Excluding his on-ice performance, McColgan's maturity is far beyond his years, and the respect he has shown for the coaching staff and training staff have not gone unnoticed. It's those little things that he's done away from the ice that have you hoping he chooses the WHL next season.
• Little to nothing has been said on this blog about Luke Moffatt. The reason? Their is nothing much to be said. He is not here. The Rockets #1 bantam pick from two years ago is with the Under 17 U.S Hockey program, as is Nick Shore, the Rockets 7th round pick from 2007. My general belief is both Moffatt and Shore have not shut the door on the Rockets all together, and my interest in them is heightened next season, not this year. As 16 year-old players, they would have most likely played supporting roles with a Rockets veteran lineup this season anyway. Next season the Rockets will have several holes that need to be filled, where younger players will be thrown into key situations to fill the gaps left by Long, Benn, Almond and Schenn. Don't get me wrong, I wish they were here, but I think the urgency of those two showing up at training camp next year is far greater than this season.
• The newest player that I am watching closely is Stepan Novotny. Novotny is the European player who the Rockets picked in the CHL draft this summer. Novotny has played the last two years at Shattuck St. Mary's. Novotny was projected to be headed to the NCAA where he'd eventually play at the University of Denver, but has elected to play with the Rockets instead. The Rockets believe he can play with Benn and Long on the teams #1 line.
• Who has the leg-up on the back-up goaltending duties to Torrie Jung? Tonight I will watch them closely, and give you my take on who I would keep. With Jung going to the NHL camp of the Tampa Bay Lighting, the Rockets will have to drag their feet a little bit in making a decision.
• Congrats to Rockets Athletic Therapist Jeff Thorburn. Thorburn is going to be a 'daddy' in February. The 34 year-old has a lot on his plate before then though, as he is a member of the Canadian World Junior training staff.