Rockets Alumni Weekend Begins

• The Kelowna Rockets alumni weekend kicked off Thursday afternoon at the Harvest Golf and Country Club as past and current players gathered for the texas scramble format. I had the privilege of spending the afternoon with former Rockets Blake Comeau (Islanders) and Troy Bodie (Anaheim Ducks) and Bill Winters, a local accountant, who was instrumental in helping the Rockets make a successful bid in hosting the 2004 Master Card Memorial Cup. Did we win the tournament? No. Did we make some good shots? Yes. Did we have a great afternoon? Absolutely.
• Nashville Predators Shea Weber, Toronto Maple Leafs Luke Schenn, Montreal Canadiens Josh Gorges and Boston Bruins forward Chuck Kobasew were on hand for the event. Weber went so far as to purchase the jersey of Blake Comeau during the auction following dinner.
• Other alumni included Kristofer Westblom, James McEwan, Clayton Barthel, Brett Palin and Randall Gelech just to name a few.
• Current Rockets Cody Almond, Brandon McMillan and Evan and Lucas Bloodoff took in the event. Head coach Ryan Huska and assistant Ryan Cuthbert were also there.
• Former Rocket Brady Leavold is about to become a father for a second time. Leavold's fiancee will give birth to a baby boy in September. Leavold already has a 15 month old daughter.
• Mike Card is going to try his luck in Germany this season. After suffering through concussion problems, Card will play in Europe in an effort to get back to good health and improve his game. Card's off-season has been a long one after being sent home in February after suffering his second concussion of the season.
• Tyler Mosienko will also be playing hockey in Europe next season. Mosienko has signed a deal to play in Germany.
• Kiel McLeod will be playing in Italy this season.
• Cam Paddock was unable to play golf Thursday as he recovers from off-season hip surgery.
• This tournament last year raised 33 thousand dollars for the Kelowna General Hospital.
• Current Rockets defenseman Collin Bowman, despite failing to be drafted last month, will attend the training camp of the NHL's Ottawa Senators.