Things That Make Me Go Hmm....

• Kyle Verdino is spending a great deal of time with athletic therapist Jeff Thorburn and a great deal of time on a stationary bike. The Kelowna Rockets defenceman is back in Kelowna in an effort to recover from a June automobile accident in Phoenix, Arizona. Verdino, 18, suffered a broken hand and ankle and numerous stitches to both his face and body. The road to recovery will be a slow process, but Verdino would like nothing more than to join the team on the ice after Christmas.
• The Kelowna Rockets will have to fill the void left by Ryan Watters who has resigned from the hockey club after three seasons as the teams marketing assistant. Watters will be best known as a game night host with a microphone in his hand entertaining the crowd during a stoppage in play. You have to give Watters credit for some of the stunts he pulled off with a less than adequate video monitor to help his cause.
• Speaking of interesting players to watch for at main camp, keep your eyes on Brett Bulmer. Bulmer was the Rockets 11th round pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft. Bulmer was third in BC Midget League scoring last season with the Cariboo Cougars. Bulmer saw some playing time with the Rockets last season as a 16 year-old. It will be interesting to see if he can crack the roster this season.
• It's great to hear that Torrie Jung has been given an NHL tryout with the Edmonton Oilers. Jung will be back with the Edmonton Oil Kings this season after posting the 7th best goals against average in the league last season. Jung was originally listed by the Rockets, a team he saw action with for 66 games.
• Now that the Rockets have finalized their 2009-2010 schedule, it should be pointed out that the team plays four-three in three's this season. Earlier it was stated the Rockets only play three times on three consecutive nights.
• One portion of the schedule the Rockets will be shaking their heads at comes in late February when they host Calgary on Friday February 19th, only to bus through the night to face the Hawks in Portland the next evening. The marathon concludes with a game in Kent on Sunday February 21st against the T-Birds. To make matters worse, game time is an afternoon affair starting at 5:05.
• That three in three only looks remotely better than a game in Tri City Friday October 23rd, followed by a home game the next night against Vancouver. To wrap up the weekend the Rockets return the favor against the Giants Sunday afternoon for a game that again starts at 5 o'clock.
• Of the six games the Rockets play on Sunday, five of the six start at 5 o'clock. The only exception is a 6 o'clock start when the Rockets are in Spokane November 15th.
• I was asked the other day how many players the Rockets are projected to lose from last years team. The answer is six, if indeed Tyler Myers and Colin Long return. Cody Almond, Michael Backlund, Tysen Dowzak, Ian Duval, Ryley Grantham and Jamie Benn will not return. All six have either signed or are ineligible.