Grantham Deal Brings Back Memories

• The trade for Ryley Grantham is eerily similar to a deal Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton made at the trade deadline in 2004. Hamilton acquired 6'3, 225 pound D.J King from the Lethbridge Hurricanes that season. King provided some added punch - literally - getting into eight scraps in 30 regular season games with the Rockets. King would only score 5 goals in a Rockets uniform, yet he kept the opposition honest and kept them off the back of the likes of Keller, Mosienko, Comeau and Gelech.
• Grantham is the fourth oldest player in the WHL at 21. Swift Current Broncos forward Keegan Dansereau, who turned 21 on January 1st is the oldest. Grantham's b-day is January 7th.
• Is it ironic that Grantham will make his Kelowna Rockets debut wearing sweater #27 tonight? The last Rocket to wear that number was James McEwan, the Rockets designated tough guy from last season.
• What are the oddest rumours I've heard with the Western Hockey League trade deadline just around the corner? Luke Schenn is going to be sent back to the Rockets by the Toronto Maple Leafs is one while the other is Oscar Moller involved in a trade with the Rockets as the LA Kings ship him back to junior with the guarantee that the Chilliwack Bruins trade him to a contender. And no, I won't mention who is responsible for stirring the pot. Much of the speculation is all in fun.
• What would it take for the Rockets to acquire a top end defenseman? I asked Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton. www.am1150.ca/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&fi=files%2Fam1150%2Fsrimedia%2FR09_1182.MP3&nid=855078
• Mikael Backlund's NHL debut saw him play just over 10 minutes. The 19 year-old received 15 shifts and he registered a shot on goal. The general consensus is he's a great prospect but needs to mature physically. He often lost battles for the puck against a much more physically mature opponent at the pro level. Look for the Flames to get Backlund to 'muscle up' when he attempts to make the club full time next season.
• If Backlund indeed joins the Rockets, will he wear sweater #22? That was his number for Sweden at the world juniors. It's available. The last Rockets player to wear that number full time was Myles MacRae.
• Speaking of MacRae, how is he doing with the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL? MacRae has 19 goals and 32 points in 41 games. Had he remained in Kelowna, he would have been one of the teams 20 year-olds this season.