Chapman's days as a Rocket are over

Were you at all surprised with today's announcement that 20 year-old Mitchell Chapman's days with the Kelowna Rockets are essentially over? You knew something had to give considering the veteran defenceman had not yet played a game this season and we were just a few days away from the Western Hockey League trading deadline. Chapman's ankle injury, which he suffered prior to training camp, was expected to heal by mid December, but his return date continued to be pushed back as it wouldn't heal to the point where he could return to active duty.
It's a shame to see Chapman leave the way he did considering the toughness and size he brought to the line up. He was a big body, worked out hard in the summer to improve his strength and last season established himself as one of the toughest players in the Western Conference. I am not sure he enjoyed doing it, but Chapman indeed fought all of the league's heavy weights and did well. 'Chappy', as he is known to his teammates, was named the Rockets defenceman of the year last season which showed how much he improved from his 18 year-old season.
Always talkative, I will miss Chapman for the player he was on the ice and the person he was in your face-to-face conversations over the three years he wore Kelowna Rockets colours.