Things that make me go hmm....

• The one veteran that grabbed my eye at training camp this week was Brett Bulmer. Now 19, the Prince George product just dominated when he was around the puck. Unfortunately we just haven't seen the best of him in the first two seasons. My belief is Bulmer will showcase himself like never before in 2011-2012. He scored 18 goals last season. In my opinion he is good enough, when he plays hard, to score 30+. The untapped potential of this player is scary.
  
• Speaking of Bulmer, he reminds me a little bit like Cody Almond. Almond never really found his groove until he was 19. Almond scored 22 goals as an 18 year-old and then let loose with 33 in his final year of junior. Almond scored an impressive 10 times in the playoffs on the way to a WHL title.
• Best 15 year-old at rookie camp? I admit to seeing few on-ice sessions, but Riley Stadel from Surrey is going to be a beauty. Stadel was a third rounder this summer and loves to rush the puck. Smart, quick and he brings it from the blue line. Love it!
  
• Don't get too excited about the Rockets exhibition record. Remember last year? The Rockets were 5 and 1 in pre-season before winning just four times in the first 14 games to start the regular season. Exhibition season is all about evaluation. What I am saying is the record means diddly at the end of the day.
• I know the Rockets get criticised for not releasing the names of the players released by the team during training camp, but does it really matter? At this age lets focus on the players that are here not those that fell short.
  
• When you watch 16 year-old rookie d-man Madison Bowey this season remember that the Rockets traded spots with Prince George to snag Bowey with the first pick in the second round. Brilliant move by GM Bruce Hamilton and Director of Player Personnel Lorne Frey.
• Will Saskatoon Blades GM Lorne Molleken have any sleepless night's when he watches Colton Sissons this season? Projected to be a first round pick, Sissons was a steal in a deal January 10, 2010. Molleken's only saving grace is the Rockets play in a different Conference.
  
• I find it interesting that the majority of teams across the league make a big deal about signing their top bantam draft picks while the Rockets keep that relatively quiet. Just saying.
• Will softer shoulder and elbow pads really make that big of a difference in preventing concussions in the WHL this season? Montreal Canadiens forward Travis Moen doesn't think so. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the only way the number of concussions will ever be reduced.
• I thought Nashville Predators forward Jordon Tootoo said it right this week when he told me that his game is about aggression and if he isn't playing on the edge he isn't earning money at the NHL level. He is playing in the NHL specifically because of the way he plays. Some may call it dirty or borderline, but he knows what it takes to play at the elite level.
  
• Look for WHL referee's to be proactive in calling hits to the head this season. Sounds good in theory, but how many players will learn to embellish by snapping their head back every time contact is made? Referee's have been fooled may times by diving and now head snapping will be another challenge they face.
• How many players will be afraid to make a big hit in fear of taking a penalty? The glass rattling body checks like we witnessed from Shea Weber and Luke Schenn, I'm afraid, are a thing of the past.
  
• Thank goodness the Canadian dollar is strong in comparison to its American counterpart. The Rockets first three road games of the season are in Everett, Tri City and Spokane.
• Just a question. If the Rockets play Friday and Saturday night in Victoria on October 14th and 15th, how fresh are they expected to be when they play in Kamloops on October 16th? With back-to-back games in Victoria, the Rockets must stay the night after Saturday's tilt, take the ferry, then bus to the Interior Savings Centre. Oh perfect, the game starts at 6 pm. Couldn't we make it more difficult for the road team by playing the game at 2:30? Advantage Kamloops!