Kelowna Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton spoke at a press conference this morning on the ticket availability for the upcoming Super Series game at Prospera Place. Tickets for the November 26th game go on sale to the general public October 6th. The game is one of six stops across Canada featuring hopefuls for Team Canada against the Russian world junior team.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Rockets press conference
Kelowna Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton spoke at a press conference this morning on the ticket availability for the upcoming Super Series game at Prospera Place. Tickets for the November 26th game go on sale to the general public October 6th. The game is one of six stops across Canada featuring hopefuls for Team Canada against the Russian world junior team.
Bloodoff Requires Surgery
Kelowna Rockets general manager Bruce Hamilton told the media today that 18 year-old forward Evan Bloodoff will need surgery on his knee.
The injury occurred during last years WHL final against the Calgary Hitmen.
Once the surgery is completed, Bloodoff will be lost to the team for between 4 and 6 months. Bloodoff was sent home from the training camp of the Phoenix Coyotes after team doctors were unable to clear him to participate in rookie camp.
The injury occurred during last years WHL final against the Calgary Hitmen.
Once the surgery is completed, Bloodoff will be lost to the team for between 4 and 6 months. Bloodoff was sent home from the training camp of the Phoenix Coyotes after team doctors were unable to clear him to participate in rookie camp.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Things That Make Me Go Hmm...
- I was surprised to see Evan Bloodoff at Rockets practice Wednesday. The 18 year-old has been sent back to Kelowna by the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. Bloodoff, a 6th round pick, didn't receive medical clearance to participate in Coyotes rookie camp.
- Prior to the Rockets practice Wednesday, veteran goaltender Mark Guggenberger was on the ice working out with assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert. Check out the Courier, who's photographer was taking pictures left, right and centre.
- Adam Brown has new gear. The 17, about to turn 18 year-old goaltender, was wearing new pads and gloves from Reebok at practice Wednesday. Brown says he won't wear them in a game until he feels comfortable that they have been broken in.
- The Rockets had some alumni join them for practice today. Jason Deleurme, Mitch Fritz, James McEwan, Justin Keller and Randall Gelech were all participating in drills.
- A lot of hype about nothing when it comes to the new jerseys unveiled Wednesday? The Rockets jersey didn't change much, which is a good thing. The cut is different obviously, but it looks much the same as the old one. Some other team jersey's took on a new look though. I thought one thing missing from all of the jerseys - league wide - was the word 'WHL' on the lower part of the neckline of the jersey. The Reebok jerseys worn in the NHL have 'NHL' stitched in that area. The WHL jersey's just have a piece of cloth covering that spot. Overall the Rockets jersey looks good to me.
- You will notice something different at Prospera Place when the team opens defense of the 2009 WHL title next week. The championship banners from 2003, 2004 and 2005 are being moved to the other side of the ice, opposite of where they currently hang, which is above the press box. The reason? I've been told for TV. With the TV camera's situated in the building, it makes for a better shot.
- Look out, here comes Les Lazaruk! The voice of the Saskatoon Blades is again calling on us radio broadcasters to submit our predictions for the upcoming season. The good news is he is asking us to predict the order of finish in the conferences we represent. I will make one bold prediction Les! Are you ready? The Brandon Wheat Kings will be in the Memorial Cup. Yes, Kelly McCrimmon, your team is going to the big dance. Something tells me McCrimmon is well aware of that fact.
Looking good...
Curt Gogol, Adam Brown and Spencer Main pose for the local media as they show off the new Reebok uniforms that will be worn by the team this season. The new jerseys are now on sale at the Rockets souvenir store - 'In the Crease.'
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
BCHL broadcaster joins Rockets
Congrats to Kevin Parnell for finally seeing the light.
The former voice of the BC Hockey League's Westside Warriors
has joined the Kelowna Rockets office staff.
Parnell will be involved in updating the teams new website while issuing press releases during the season.
Parnell says he will not be the 'voice' in the stands during home games this season. He will leave that up to someone more good looking. Ok, I added that part.
Parnell also covered the most recent Memorial Cup in Rimouski for the Capital News.
Congrats Kevin on the new gig.
Rockets press release on new goalie
The Kelowna Rockets would like to announce they have acquired goaltender Warren Shymko from the Tri City Americans in exchange for a ninth round bantam draft pick in 2010.
Shymko, 17, was originally drafted by Tri City in the 2007 WHL bantam draft. A native of Calder, Saskatchewan, he has played the past two seasons of midget hockey in Saskatoon.
Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton said it was a move to bring in depth in net for the Rockets.
"With the uncertainty with Mark Guggenberger’s injury, we needed to get another guy in here," said Hamilton. "We felt we needed to bring someone in that could get some playing time while Mark is on the sidelines."
Shymko, 17, was originally drafted by Tri City in the 2007 WHL bantam draft. A native of Calder, Saskatchewan, he has played the past two seasons of midget hockey in Saskatoon.
Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton said it was a move to bring in depth in net for the Rockets.
"With the uncertainty with Mark Guggenberger’s injury, we needed to get another guy in here," said Hamilton. "We felt we needed to bring someone in that could get some playing time while Mark is on the sidelines."
No Joke. Rockets in top 10
The CHL Mastercard top 10 rankings for the 2009-2010 season have been released and the Kelowna Rockets are on that list.
No joke.
The Rockets are rated as the 10th best junior team in the country. The Calgary Hitmen are rated 2nd, Brandon is 4th and Saskatoon is 7th.
The top rated team in the nation are the Windsor Spitfires.
Nothing against the Rockets here, but to suggest they are the 10th best team in the country with the loss of essentially their top two lines has to make you chuckle just a bit.
No joke.
The Rockets are rated as the 10th best junior team in the country. The Calgary Hitmen are rated 2nd, Brandon is 4th and Saskatoon is 7th.
The top rated team in the nation are the Windsor Spitfires.
Nothing against the Rockets here, but to suggest they are the 10th best team in the country with the loss of essentially their top two lines has to make you chuckle just a bit.
Monday, September 7, 2009
St-D gets scoring chance for Stars in shootout
Kyle St. Denis is joining teammate Jamie Benn as the Dallas Stars compete this week at the NHL Prospects tournament in Traverse City, Michigan.
St. Denis saw his first game action Monday and was even used in the shootout in the Stars 2-1 loss to Minnesota.
St. Denis is attending the Stars camp on a free agent tryout.
St. Denis saw his first game action Monday and was even used in the shootout in the Stars 2-1 loss to Minnesota.
St. Denis is attending the Stars camp on a free agent tryout.
From NHL.com
Nieuwendyk lauds Benn - New Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk has liked what he's seen in the team's top prospect -- forward Jamie Benn.
"It seems like a long time ago I was injured with that concussion. I feel really good. I've recovered from that and it's just nice to play some games (in Traverse City) and get that out of the way."
"It seems like a long time ago I was injured with that concussion. I feel really good. I've recovered from that and it's just nice to play some games (in Traverse City) and get that out of the way."
Benn, of course, led all goal-scorers during the 2008 Traverse City Prospects Tournament, connecting five times in four games en route to leading the Stars to the championship. He posted 46 goals and 82 points in 56 games to lead the Kelowna Rockets to a Western Hockey League championship last season.
The Stars see Benn, a fifth-round pick in 2007, as a future star in the League."I don't think he's too far off at all," Nieuwendyk said. "If he doesn't make our team, I'm sure he'll be called up from time to time. We have a great situation where our minor league affiliate (in Texas) is only two-and-a-half hours down the road, so that's going to be a big bonus for us."He's already in a man's body and we'll take a good look at him at training camp."
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