Things That Make Me Go Hmm....

• What's my take on selecting Adam Brown over Dylan Tait for the backup duties this season? I think it's a pretty smart move. The way I see it, the Rockets essentially keep both goaltenders in their system by choosing Brown over Tait. Your saying to yourself...what? Let me explain. Brown was granted a tryout with the team while Tait is a WHL bantam draft pick. Had the Rockets selected Tait over Brown, Brown could have easily pursued other opportunities, leaving the Rockets in his dust. By having Brown as the backup, he's committed to the Rockets, while Tait is still Rockets property. So the move keeps both young goaltenders in Kelowna Rockets colours.
• Here is Adam Brown in action in practice Tuesday. How much more relaxed do you think he is now that he doesn't have to worry about Dylan Tait?
• Dan Russell's Sportstalk will feature a round-table discussion with the radio broadcasters of the WHL teams in the BC Division Wednesday night, one night before the start of the regular season. Randy Merkley (Chilliwack), Dave Sheldon (Vancouver), Ron St. Clair (Prince George), Kirk Fraser (Kamloops) and myself will share our thoughts on the upcoming season. Dan Russell's show can be heard on http://www.am1150.ca/ from 9 until midnight.
• I'm pleased to announce that Gord McGarva will join me as an analyst on Kelowna Rockets broadcasts this season. McGarva has been an off-ice WHL official for several years and expressed some interest in joining me in the broadcast booth this season. McGarva will make his debut September 26th when the Rockets are in Kamloops to face the Blazers.
• The Kelowna Rockets have been projected by radio broadcasters across the league to be one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference this season. Only the Spokane Chiefs were rated higher. While that's all well and good, the worst enemy for the Rockets heading into this season may just be themselves. If they believe all of the positive press clippings they are receiving they will be in for a rough start. Sure the Rockets are good on paper, but it's well balanced teams that win championships not teams that believe they can turn it on with the flick of a switch. After all of this pre-season hype, no one will take the Rockets lightly this season.
• Here is a video of former Rockets forward Simon Ferguson, who was practicing with the team Tuesday. Ferguson will play with the Portland Pirates of the AHL this season.
• At the prospects tournament in Traverse City today, Tysen Dowzak fought Brady Leavold. The former teammates clashed as Dowzak's Rangers beat Leavold's Lightning 5-3. Dallas beat Minnesota 3-2. Jamie Benn had a shorthanded goal and a team leading five shots on goal for the Stars while Cody Almond had an assist and three shots on goal for the Wild. Benn has a goal in all three games he's played.
• Did you know that Jordie Benn, the brother of Rockets forward Jamie Benn is attending the prospects camp of the Vancouver Canucks?