Things that make me go hmm...

• I was asked numerous times on Sunday during my kids soccer jamboree about what I think of the 2011-2012 Kelowna Rockets. I always speak with caution because frankly I still don't really know how good or bad this team will be. It would be easy for me to say, "Oh, they are great" after just two wins, but I've seen many a team get off to a good start only to fall on their faces. Give me until the 20 game mark with all the pieces of the puzzle in place and then I will freely share my opinion. Until I know if Brett Bulmer returns and the status of the the 20 year-old situation, to declare the team as a formidable force would be careless.
• Speaking of upgrades at the overage spot, you have to applaud Cody Chikie's early offensive production. Two goals in two games does not go unnoticed. Again, a 20 year-old in this league has to be an impact player. He can't sit around idly by and make a small contribution to the teams overall success. When the Rockets missed the playoffs back in 2006-07, do you remember who the overage players were? If you can't, don't feel bad, because it again showed how little impact they made on a team that fell to the bottom of the BC Division.
  
• Just to think, five seasons ago the Rockets were dead last in the BC Division with 22 wins. Now they can admire the BC Division banner which was raised high into the rafters at Saturday's home opener.
• How many wins will be needed this season to claim a BC Division title? Since 2001-2002, when the league formed the BC and U.S Division, the average win total for the first place finisher has been 48 victories. Over the ten years of the existence of the BC Division, the lowest total of wins to capture the crown was Kamloops' 38 in 2001-2002. The best record over that period was Vancouver's amazing 57 wins in 2008-2009. More amazing is the Giants were beaten by the Rockets in the Western Conference final despite having 21 fewer points in the standings.
• The opening ceremonies Saturday night went off without a hitch outside of one small detail. The video commentary with Gord and I on the big screen didn't exactly go as planned. I was assured by the video people that my mic was working, but upon further review, on playback my mic was off resulting in a rather one sided conversation where only Gord's words were audible. Many onlookers in the press box let me know that I have never sounded better!
• What does 20 year-old Neil Manning mean to the Vancouver Giants? Ask Don Hay. Lopsided losses in Kamloops and Kelowna will tell you the story.
• Cody Almond's injury at Minnesota Wild training camp is one of the reasons why Brett Bulmer is still in the NHL in early October. Almond has had a back ailment for a while now and word is he could be out a month. The Rockets alumnus was expected to make the Wild's opening day roster but now finds himself on the trainers table. Bulmer now gets his chance to play.
• It was mentioned in the building when he scored, but Carter Rigby's first goal of the season Saturday night was not his first WHL goal. The 17 year-old scored his first goal as a member of the Prince George Cougars in a game last season against the Everett Silvertips.
• Speaking of Rigby, does any magical scoring power come with wearing sweater #11? Geordie Wudrick wore it last season and Colin Long had the number prior to that. Not to be outdone, Jesse Schultz and Carsen Germyn also wore #11.
• A solid crowd of 62 hundred took in Saturday's home opener. It will be interesting to see what the number is like for a mid-week Wednesday game against the Tri City Americans. The good news is the Americans are projected to be one of the front runners in the Western Conference again this season, so hockey fans have no reason not to attend that game.
• Speaking of the Americans, it will be interesting to watch 16 year-old goaltender Eric Comrie. Essentially anointed the #1 duties with the trade of Drew Owsley to Prince George, Comrie was the Americans first round pick (13th overall) in the 2010 draft.