'Cookie' calls it a career

• Being a head coach isn't an easy occupation. Every level has its degree of difficulty. Kris Mallette has had to make some hard decisions in the early stages of the young season. The best example came Saturday night when the Kelowna Rockets veteran d-men were struggling. Mallette had to make an in-game adjustment, electing to sit a few veterans who were making bad decisions and fighting the puck. Bold decision, but it worked out. Mallette puts 16 year-old rookie d-man Caden Price on the ice in overtime. The second round WHL bantam pick assists on the game winning goal from Jake Poole in a 5-4 OTW against Victoria.
  
• Are the Portland Winterhawks the WHL guinea pig? The Winterhawks are the first WHL team to attempt to cross the border between Canada and the US tomorrow. How smooth will it go? Will the Winterhawks have to be tested before entering Canada? What will it cost for everyone to take a test despite the entire team being double vaccinated? Every WHL ownerships group will be watching with keen interest. My understanding is despite being double vaxed, every player and coach on the bus must have taken a molecular test in the United States within 72 hours of entering Canada.  The Winterhawks play the Kamloops Blazers Wednesday night before meeting the Rockets at Prospera Place on Friday. The last American based team to cross into Canada are the Seattle Thunderbirds, who play December 10th in Kamloops. 

  

  Jordon Cooke

• He was one of my favourite Kelowna Rockets goalies. Jordon Cooke was arguably the best the franchise have ever selected in the WHL bantam draft. Chosen in the fourth round in 2008, the Leduc product was part of a powerhouse teams from 2012-2014. Sadly, the Portland Winterhawks were just that much better. Cooke has decided to retire at age 28. Cooke most recently played in Erste Liga, in Romania and Hungry last season. How good was Cooke? He is the only Rockets goalie to be named the CHL Goalie of the Year and twice the U-Sports Goalie of the Year with the U of Saskatchewan Huskies in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. 
• Pavel Novak has 5 goals against the Victoria Royals this season. He had two goals opening night and three against them Saturday in the 5-4 overtime win. Two seasons ago, Novak had 6 against the Prince George Cougars, who provide the opposition on Saturday. 
• It looks like Travis Crickard is back in major junior hockey. Word out East is 'Cricks' has joined the coaching staff of the Saint John SeaDogs. Crickard was a member of Dan Lambert's coaching staff when the team won the 2015 WHL title. He was eventually relieved of his duties by then head coach Adam Foote 16 days before Christmas in 2018. 
• I ran into NHL scout Marty Stein twice over the past two weeks. Once in Vancouver and once in Kelowna. It wasn't until I noticed a change in logo on Stein's binder that I had to ask the question. Have you changed teams? Stein, who calls Coldstream home, has been scouting for the Detroit Red Wings for 25 years. He helped them win four Stanley Cups and a couple of Calder Cup titles. With his contract not renewed at the end of last season, Stein is now scouting for the Buffalo Sabres. 
• Bob Tory has hit the jackpot. The GM of the Tri City Americans received good news when 20 year-old Sasha Mutala was sent back to his team after starting the season in pro. While Mutala is a big boost for Tory's team offensively, you would have to think other GM's across the league will give Bob a call and ask if he is interested in making a trade. 
• Dan Price is forever the optimist. The Victoria Royals GM and HC isn't making excuses for his teams 1-10-1-0 start, but it would be easy to push the panic button with the injuries they've sustained. Often playing a few players short, once healthy, he will have a better idea of how good or bad his team really is. The fans in Victoria are antsy though. Check out the Royals Facebook page where fans are calling this team as bad as the 1989 Victoria Cougars who won 5 of 72 games or want Price fired.  Fact is, was no one paying attention to what happened in the abbreviated season when the Royals won just 3 of 22 games?  
• I heard the Seattle Kraken are playing 15 back-to-back games this season. In the WHL it's a completely different world. The Kelowna Rockets play back-to-backs 29 times. 
• Duncan Keith played his 1200 game in the NHL. The former Kelowna Rockets defender has played the most of any alumni. Scott Hannan comes close with 1,055 games. Shea Weber had 1,033 career games under his belt before he was hurt. Luke Schenn is exactly 200 games shy of 1,000.
• And then their was 1. Just one team in the WHL remains undefeated. The Everett Silvertips hold that honour. The Winnipeg Ice had an 11 game winning streak to start the season snapped in a loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings. No egg on the face of the Ice for losing to a very good Oil King team. They weren't going to go 68-0-0-0. It best to lose to one of the best in the WHL than lay an egg and fall victim to a bottom feeder. 

Things that make me go hmm

Nolan Flammand. His favourite radio station (wink/wink) in background

• Six WHL players were taken in the second round of the 2021 NHL draft. Three of them were forwards including Kelowna Rockets Colton Dach and Vancouver Giants Zack Ostopchuk. Dach was taken 62nd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Ostopchuk was chosen 39th by the Ottawa Senators. Both have signed NHL contracts. It was interested to compare the two when they met head-to-head Saturday night in the Giants 2-0 win. Neither found the score-sheet. We have another opportunity to measure them up when the two teams collide, again, at the Langley Events Centre this upcoming Friday.
• No lack of NHL scouts at the game Saturday night. It makes you wonder if some start pay special attention to Kelowna Rockets goaltender Colby Knight. The undrafted 18 year-old was playing second fiddle to Sebastian Cossa, a first round NHL draft pick while with the Edmonton Oil Kings. Now with a new lease on life as the number one goalie with the Rockets, this may be a coming out party for the Red Deer product, who looks like the real deal after two solid starts against Kamloops and Vancouver. He was the best player on the ice for the visitors Saturday night. 
• The Rockets have played a league low 4 games. Red Deer and Brandon have played a league high - 10!
• The Rockets are no strangers in trading for goalies. Michael Herringer, Jackson Whistle, Mark Guggenberger, Kelly Guard and Shane Bendera are prime examples. Put Colby Knight on that list! 
• It was a homecoming of sorts for Quinton Lang Saturday night. The Kelowna Rockets assistant coach, who typically doesn't travel with the team, made the trek to the LEC. Lang was returning to an area of the province where he spent three seasons as a pro. The pride of Harris, Saskatchewan suited up for the Abbotsford Heat when the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate was located in the Lower Mainland. They left the city in 2014 after suffering losses in the neighbourhood of 12 million dollars, which the city had to absorb. The Abbotsford Centre is now the home of the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks, the Vancouver Canucks minor league affiliate.
• One. The Western Conference has one player that was chosen in the first round of the NHL draft that is playing in the WHL this season. Vancouver Giants forward Fabian Lisell stands alone. The Swede was taken 21st overall by the Boston Bruins. If, if, the Carolina Hurricanes return Seth Jarvis back to the Portland Winterhawks, that will make only two-first round picks in the Western Conference perfecting their skills in junior hockey this season. Jarvis was taken 13th overall in 2020. By comparison, the Eastern Conference has seven-first round NHL draft picks - three of which play for the Prince Albert Raiders. 
• The Winnipeg Ice are the only undefeated team in the Eastern Conference. 9-0-0-0. Sadly, we won't see them this season. It's proof that building through the WHL bantam draft, if you have good scouts, can produce a winner. The Ice have 5-first round picks on it's roster. Sure, the Ice sucked in order to get those high bantam picks, but they hit the bullseye with all five. 
• The Ice, while in Cranbrook, missed the playoffs between 2014 and 2019. That's four consecutive years with zero playoff hockey. Only the Saskatoon Blades have had more futility with 5 straight years of no playoff hockey between 2013 and 2018. 
• The Victoria Royals own the worst record in the WHL. A seven game losing streak has them heading out on the road for a busy week with two games in Prince George (Tues/Wed) followed by games in Kamloops (Fri) and Kelowna (Saturday). The Royals have been one of the most active teams making trades in an effort to stay within striking distance. 
• The Rockets were shut out Saturday night, 2-0, in Vancouver. The last time that happened was September 29, 2019 in a 4-0 loss. David Tendick made just 14 saves in the victory for the G-Men. 
• It was nice to see some familiar faces Saturday night at the LEC. Dan O'Connor and Bill Wilms are the dynamic duo in the Giants radio broadcast booth. It was nice to 'chin wag' with Brooke Ward, who is the teams public address announcer. The only thing missing was the buffet for scouts and media before the game. I am not sure if it is a COVID health and safety measure or a fiscal thing, but pre-game grub wasn't a thing before puck drop between the Giants and Rockets. Times are a changing post pandemic. My double chin and no hot meal in the scouts room.
• Speaking of food.....the Rockets had a pre-game meal at a staple on our road trips when headed down Highway 1 on the Lower Mainland. We stopped in at Bozzini's on Hocking Avenue in Chilliwack. The meals are always great. They treat us awesome and the frothy ice tea is not for the faint of heart. You've got to try it. It was nice to run into Mano Asprakis, who looks to have weathered the pandemic well. He is still smiling. His family started that restaurant back in 1982 and it's still going strong. Check out the menu and the price point. http://bozzinisrestaurant.ca/menu/
• It is nice to see former Rockets flourish. Alex Swetlikoff had a hat trick Friday night for the Everett Silvertips. The 20 year-old was dealt to the Tips in the Max Graham deal this summer. I will always remember 'Swetty' speaking to me after my fathers death in 2020. It was as simple as, 'Sorry to hear about your dad'. It was that small exchange coming from a then 18 year-old which impressed me so much. Small thought or gesture from a shy teenager, but the thoughtfulness made an impression on me. I am an easy person to win over. Just show me you have personality and empathy for others. Too cool for school or a bully like demeanour, you've lost me. 

Webbles wobble but they don't fall down

Colby Knight

Three games in and lots to like with the 2021-2022 version of the Kelowna Rockets. A work in progress for certain, but if compete is the foundation to win games this season, mission accomplished. And lets be honest. At it's core, a high level of compete can often mask discrepancies in ones game. Not all the time, but often - will does beat skill. If you are willing to sacrifice to block a shot or be more determined to win a face-off than the guy opposite you, it does make a different. Playing to your strengths and hiding your weaknesses is what this years edition is trying to figure out. Teams with little turnover have that understanding. With 10 players gone from last seasons abbreviated campaign, the Rockets are still finding a team identity. Head Coach Kris Mallette told me as much last night on our post game show. In a 4-2 upset over arguably the best team in the Western Conference, the Rockets used physicality, solid goaltending, a timely power play and adversity in a two goal win. They could have crumbled after having a two goal lead disappear, with the backbreaker coming in the form of a shorthanded goal. Instead of making it 3-1, the Kamloops Blazers score while killing a penalty and it's 2-2. Sure, the home team wobbled, but as the old TV commercial goes 'Weebles wobble but they don't fall down'. (Webbles). The Rockets wobbled, but they didn't collapse. That's a great sign. Oh ya, the Blazers took control of the game to tie the score, but instead of breaking and crumbling in front of 34 hundred patrons that were allowed back in the building for the first time in 583 days, the lead goal came from it's most dangerous shooter. Colton Dach rifled home his second of the game and third of the season to make it 3-2. An empty net goal from Elias Carmichael and the sellout crowd (sellout was 3400 or 50% of capacity) went home with a smile. It's only game three. Championships are never won in mid October, but did this team prove something to themselves? My hope is that was the case along with the well deserved two points. 

What did I like? Lets start here:

1. Discipline. It's tough playing an arch rival and not getting emotionally invested against them. You have to play with emotion, but it has to be bridled. If you take ill advised trips to the box, the Blazers will tear you a new one. The visitors were granted four power play chances. 
2. Not chasing the game never hurts. The Rockets opened the scoring for a third straight game. Up until that point, the Blazers had not trailed at any point this season.
3. Physicality. In the most aggressive game I've seen from this group this season (small sample size) the ability for the d-men to stand there ground as the Blazers skated with speed entering the zone was impressive. Noah Dorey led the charge. Tyson Feist is great at it too. Jackson DeSouza, who often doesn't play to his size, also ramped up his compete level.
4. Getting back to Dorey. The 18 year-old is raw. He reminds me of a younger Tyson Feist in some respects. The desire to hit and join the attack, sometimes ill advised, is entertaining to watch. Do you know that Dorey is third on the team in shots on net? Only Colton Dach and Pavel Novak, who we expect to lead in that category, have more shots on goal than the undrafted Dorey.
5. Max Graham looked good last night. He scores the 2-0 goal, but let's not lose fact he is doing some good work at the face-off circle. 
6. Not a bad debut for 18 year-old Colby Knight. Looked like steady eddy in there. Maybe a modern day Shane Bendera? Quick down low. Excellent rebound control. A steady blocker and no crazy acrobatic saves in an effort to make the WHL Plays of the Week. Just stop that darn thing. Knight was - DYNOMITE. 
7. Colton Dach's shoot first mentality. Love it!! Not just because he can score, but those two on ones where no shot is taken over making a picture perfect pass grinds my gears. Shoot the puck is always the best option on an odd man rush. Goal scorers shoot. They don't pass. It isn't being greedy. It's smart. Chuck Kobasew. Justin Keller. Jesse Schultz. Rourke Chartier. Jamie Benn. I am out of breath here. You get it. Goal scorers shoot....they don't pass the puck.
8. I liked the crowd. The sound of live fans in the building celebrating after a goal or big save or a thundering hit was missed. It was nice to see bums in the building!! 
9. Having a color analyst beside me was like a breath of fresh air. Kent Simpson joined me last night in the broadcast booth. I didn't have the luxury of having any help in the abbreviated season, so to have someone add to the conversation and have dialogue with was something I missed. You don't appreciate it until its gone. I took it for granted. Plus, it makes the broadcast so much better not having just one voice nattering for three hours.  
10. We used it because we had no other choice during the abbreviated season. I would call HC Kris Mallette for a post game show comment and patch it into my broadcast board for those listening. We've kept the phone calls going this season, not because we can't see each other face-to-face as we are both double vaccinated, but it's just easier and just as affective. I am just glad the coach accepts my calls after games - win or lose. 'Mally' has the easy option to ignore me by not picking up the phone call. So far, I'm 3 for 3 as he's said, 'hello' on the other end. My greatest fear would be an automated voice coming on the line - 'This number is no longer in use'.

What's Up Dach?

Colton Dach

The Kelowna Rockets and Saskatoon Blades don't often trade, but when they do, they make a big splash in the WHL pool.  

Cannon Ball!!!

Tuesday's transaction between the two teams was a surprise on this side of the Rockies and can only be described as a block buster. 

One for one trades in the WHL involving marquee players is very rare. 

The Saskatoon Blades announced they had traded 18 year-old forward Colton Dach to the Kelowna Rockets for 18 year-old forward Trevor Wong. 

My eyes popped out of my head when I saw the deal was consummated. 

In the Okanagan, Wong was a building block. A player you wouldn't trade. It would only be considered if you could get a player of equal or greater value in return. Wong was the teams leading scorer in the abbreviated season in 2020-2021 with 16 points in 16 games and was a first round WHL bantam pick in 2018. He was highly touted and heavily recruited. When the Blades became the trading partner and Dach was the player offered in exchange, GM Bruce Hamilton had to ponder it.

Ultimately he consider it and pulled the trigger. 

It only came to light in a Saskatoon Blades press release that Dach had asked for a trade a day after being selected in the second round of July's NHL draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blades, clearly dealing from an area of weakness with a disgruntled player, found what they believe to be equal value in Wong. It makes sense considering both players are the same age while being first round selections. Dach was chosen 6th overall (one spot behind Kamloops Blazers sharp shooter Logan Stankoven) while Wong, as mentioned, was taken 18th.

The trade in many respects reminds me of a deal the two teams were involved in during the summer of 2012. The Rockets send Shane McColgan and Jessey Astles to the Bridge City Bunch (Sorry Les Lazaruk for stealing your line) for forward Ryan Olsen.

Much like the Dach/Wong deal, both McColgan and Olsen were first round WHL bantam picks. Olsen was 18. McColgan and Astles were both 19 at the time.  

Olsen was considered a two-way centre with size at the time of the deal.

Dach is described much the same way. 

McColgan was the Rockets leading scorer when he was traded to the Blades in 2012. The same holds true with Wong following Tuesday's transaction.

So, here we are again. The Rockets have one of the Blades best young players while Saskatoon has one of Kelowna's highly regarded forwards.

It feels like deja vu.

Interestingly enough, Colton Dach's first career WHL goal came against the Kelowna Rockets. Now he wears the colours of teal, red, copper, black and white with an angry looking Ogopogo on the front. 

The hope is Dach's shoot first mentality will frustrate more than a few Western Conference goaltenders this season.

Optimism high

Everyone is undefeated, so optimism remains high for all five teams in the WHL's BC Division.

Kelowna Rockets General Manager Bruce Hamilton admits their won't be many easy games.

"I think Prince George is going to be a better team. They have been building for a while. For sure Kamloops. They had a real good team last year. It will be a real good division and we will play each other a lot to start until we can cross the border".

The border remains closed by land for Canadians going into the United States.

"We've got an exciting group of young guys. Our team will certainly change quite a bit. We have gone with a faster, more skilled group. I am looking forward to see what they can do when we get them on the real stage."       

The Rockets conclude the pre-season schedule this weekend with two games against the Kamloops Blazers.

The regular season starts October 8th. 
 

Rockets rough up Royals

Will Irvine

The Victoria Royals shouldn't like Prospera Place.

It has been anything but kind to them of late.

Another loss last night to the hands of the Kelowna Rockets.

4-1 was the final in the finale of a double header pre-season set in the Okanagan.

The Royals have just one win at Prospera Place in their last 15 appearances.

That is a record of 1-12-1-1 over at stretch which includes the teams record when they had to play home games at Prospera Place during the abbreviated season.

In Saturday's game, d-men Jake Lee and Will Irvine each had a goal and an assist in the Rockets second consecutive win.

Nicolas Cristiano started in goal and was flawless making 11 saves. Nineteen year-old Cole Tisdale played the final 40 minutes and made 17 of 18 stops.

The Rockets now get set for a home and home series with the Kamloops Blazers next weekend to wrap up the exibition schedule and then we play for real.

A sense of normalcy

It almost felt normal.

Back at Prospera Place with fans in the building.

Sure, we were wearing masks. We attempted to social distance. Not many handshakes were exchanged, but we did our best to greet those we haven't seen for close to 18 months.

The product on the ice didn't change.

It was fast. Mistakes were made. Goals were scored. It was a fun night.

Rookie Max Graham, making his debut, scored once and added two assists in the Kelowna Rockets 7-3 win over the Victoria Royals. Despite getting into early penalty trouble, the home team scored three goals on it's opening three shots on net, one of which came shorthanded from Turner McMillen.

Here are a few observations from the game:

• Cole Schwebius started in goal. The 20 year-old is completing with three others to retain an overage spot this season. Making 17 of 19 saves in the win through 40 minutes before giving way to Nicholas Cristiano in the third period, Schwebius best save may have been with a low shot that hit him in the left leg on a quick shot from Royals forward Brayden Schuurman. 
• Turner McMillen had great jump. His greatest gift is his work ethic. Opening the scoring on a breakaway, he was gassed as he skated in on goal but showed some good finish. I always peg him for older than he is. McMillen is an 18 year-old, yet he always looks older to me.
• Elias Carmichael had a nice, quiet game. With two assists, the 18 year-old made a nice, quick pass to spring Scott Cousins in for his third period goal. 
• Jake Lee played the part of a 20 year-old. He looked like an older, established veteran back there. I thought he looked steady and picked his spots to rush the puck.
• Andrew Cristall is calm with the puck and his vision with it is elite. I just like the fact he doesn't have to wear that bird cage any longer. The half visor is visually more appealing.
• I liked newcomer Gabriel Szturc. He can skate pretty well. The Czech born forward had a team high 6 shots on net. I like trigger happy hockey players. Shoot that thing...don't look for the highlite reel setup. 
• Sixteen year-old Caden Price had a good night. Again, just from the eye test, I think he has some offensive upside. I know the coaches will be on him for doing a better job of defending, but I want to see him show confidence with the puck on his stick. Take it up ice. Make plays. Make mistakes. I don't care if you turn it over. Just get better and learn from it, but don't be afraid to make miscues. Tyson Barrie. Damon Severson. They were not the best defenders when they came into the WHL, but they were all Defenceman of the Year recipients because of what they could bring in the offensive zone.
• A quiet night for the 2002 born players. That's a small group with the roster only having 4 of them. Ethan Ernst will take some time to get his motor running. The guy has played only two games in the last two years? He had wrist surgery after being hurt in game two of the abbreviated season in 2020-2021.
• The Rockets were awarded only two power plays. It would have been nice to see them play more with the man advantage. Victoria had 7 chances and scored once. 
• The two teams do it all over again tonight. See ya at the rink!

Fans allowed

The good news far outweighs the bad.

Let's start with the bad.

The Kelowna Rockets pre-season games Wednesday night against the Vancouver Giants in Ladner has been cancelled. Thankfully, COVID-19 has nothing to do with it. The G-Men have in the neighbourhood of seven players attending NHL training camps this week and have several injuries and can't successfully ice a team. I know what you are thinking. That's a first! With that game being taken off the schedule, the Rockets will only have four tune up games to work with before the puck drops for real - against Vancouver - October 1st. The Rockets host the Royals this Friday and Saturday before tangling with the Kamloops Blazers next weekend in a home and home series. 

Now the good news.

It appears health restrictions have been eased in Interior Health for gatherings for people indoors. Capped at no more than 50, the changes allow large events indoors to have 50 people or 50 percent of capacity, whichever is greater. What that means for the Kelowna Rockets is fans will be allowed at Prospera Place for the first time since March 11, 2020 when the team plays a pre-season games this weekend against the Victoria Royals. Oddly, it was the Royals that visited the last time patrons were allowed to watch a game in a facility that holds 6,001 spectators. With 50 percent capacity allowed, three thousand people will be in the building, wearing masks, if they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The only time masks won't be worn inside, is if you are eating or drinking. 

Interior Health sent out a press release late in the day with this comment:

“Thank you to everyone across the Interior who continues to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” IH President and CEO, Susan Brown said, in a statement. “However, we can’t let our guard down now. Getting vaccinated and being able to show proof of vaccination is how we can now resume some events and activities safely and with more people."

Working hand in hand with your arch rival

Trevor Wong

• The Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers both reside in Interior Health. This area is dealing with arguably the stiffest health restrictions in Canada. Under the current rules, you can't have more than 50 people gather in-doors. What does that mean to those two teams? They can't hold pre-season games with fans in attendance if that stipulation isn't lifted. The Blazers have cancelled two games and will instead play tune-up games in Prince George in dealing with that restriction. The Rockets, who have five pre-season games on their schedule, have yet to move or cancel any, instead hoping things might change in the next few days. The exhibition schedule starts next Wednesday, on the road, against the Vancouver Giants. The game will be played in Ladner. 
• It's been neat to see the Blazers and Rockets work together with Interior Health over ways to allow the two teams to run their businesses. Arch rivals on the ice, these two organizations have banned together in an effort to bring some normalcy to have fans in the stands when the puck drops for real on October 1st. At the end of the day, we are all in this together. We need each other to succeed and it's nice to see that the animosity on the ice can be separated for the greater good for hockey fans in our region.
• Will you have to wear a mask inside the building to watch Rockets games this season? Unless you are eating or drinking, likely. If that's the case, will the screaming at the referee or at the opposing team be audible in the building with masks on? Hockey fans will find a way to show their disgust and dismay. I should mention, the Portland Winterhawks have already informed fans that they will have to mask up this season. The same goes for the Seattle Thunderbirds. I anticipate it being the norm in the Western Conference. 
• It's hard to wrap your head around it. The Rockets haven't had fans at a home game at Prospera Place in over 500 days. The last game played with fans was March 11, 2020 in a 3-2 loss to Victoria. Over 47 hundred patrons took in that game.
• The best case for the Rockets and Blazers right now is being allowed 50% capacity to start the season. That would translate to essentially 3,000 fans at the Rockets home opener. It's a baby step to full capacity, which will likely be feasible in November if COVID numbers remain stable. 
• It's to early to name a captain, but I would like to see someone anointed that role this season. I want someone to step up and show they are the alpha-male of the group. It takes a special person. He doesn't have to be the loudest voice in the room, but must have the respect of his teammates and the individual must be inclusive. What does inclusive mean? As a veteran leader, you need to talk to the rookies. You need to bring them into the group. You need to lead by example by working hard in practice and doing what's best for the team. You do not need to be the best player. Character is paramount. The team did not have a captain last season and named Nolan Foote to that post in  October of 2019.
• Pavel Novak made his return to Prospera Place. It was nice to see the 19 year-old back in the city after a long hiatus. The skilled forward did not play with the team during the abbreviated-COVID-19 season, instead suiting up for his country at the World Junior Hockey Championships and honing his skills in the Czech Republic. Novak is the teams leading scorer from two seasons ago. The teams rookie of the year in 2020, it's safe bet the Minnesota Wild prospect will be the trigger man this season.
• Mark Liwiski had 9 goals during the abbreviated season. That was the most goals of anyone on the Rockets roster. At that pace, pro-rated over 68 games, the 20 year-old would have scored 40 times. Let's be realistic though. He won't score that many goals this season. It's easy to preform at a high level over a short period of time. It is way harder to be consistent with extensive travel and a more laborious schedule. Is 20 goals a possibility though? His career high is 11 set in 2018-2019.
• New rule changes in the WHL. The most significant is coaches being able to challenge off-sides that result in goals. I like the idea. We see it in the NHL. My only complaint is the length of time it takes to review them. It puts the game 'on-hold' which can suck the life out of the building. If the coach challenges and gets it wrong, his team receives a minor penalty. Coaches.....choose wisely.  And yes, as media, we will be keeping a close tally on the success rate of these challenges.
  
• If you are up early Sunday morning, I will be on Global News Morning with Jay Janower speaking of the virtues of the Kelowna Rockets. I may not have any pants on, but the Zoom call is only from the shoulders up! 8:23 am is when I am scheduled to appear. 

Things that make me go hmm

• 

  Rookie Marcus Pacheco

  Head shots. No, not physical contact on the ice of the illegal variety, but photos taken of the players participating at training camp. I like to look through them once they are completed to see who the new guys are, so I can recognize them in an effort to introduce myself, but it also gives me a chance to see how players have changed, physically, over the past few months. I am not sure what Ethan Ernst's skin care regime is all about, but his head shot this year hasn't changed much since his prospect photo when he was 15. That Weyburn water must hold the properties of the fountain of youth!
• The Rockets fitness test is Saturday. Under the watchful eye of athletic therapist Scott Hoyer, the player will be put through both strength and conditioning tests. Most players dread it, yet it's a good indicator of who put the work in during the summer. The result which I am most interested in seeing is the long distance run. Hoyer will have a different name for it, but it shows not only who has the best lung capacity, but who has the mental fortitude to break through the pain when the mind tells you to slow down or stop. I call it the 'Rourke Chartier event.' The 25 year-old often dominated and barely broke a sweat when he participated. His lung capacity was off the charts.  
• I was asked if I wanted my photo taken by the Rockets digital media department. It's best that I pass. If I was forced, I would have to tilt my head up towards the ceiling in order to hide my turkey neck from all the weight I've put on this summer. 
• Rookie goalie Justin Dueck is from Waldeck, Saskatchewan. Where is that? I know!! Why? I grew up in Swift Current, so the town of Waldeck is no stranger to me. It is along the Trans-Canada Highway, but don't blink or you will miss it. It has a population of 277 people. Just 18 k down the road, Waldeck is a German word meaning "Wooded Corner." It is named after the willows that grew along the banks of the Swift Current creek. 
•  The 2018 WHL draft was a good one. Why? Seven players from that year have played a WHL game with the Kelowna Rockets. That class includes Trevor Wong, who was chosen in the opening round. Others in that class: Elias Carmichael. Jackson DeSouza, Noah Dorey Steel Quiring, Will Irvine and Turner McMillan. 
• Of the 40 players attending training camp this week, 15 of them are from BC. Nine are from Alberta and 6 are from Saskatchewan. Four come from friendly Manitoba. Can you name the only American born player on the roster? Jackson DeSouza is from Erie, Colorado. 
• Which city is most well represented at training camp? It's actually Kelowna. That has to be a first! Cole Schwebius, Max Graham, Rilen Kovacevic and Dylan Wightman are home grown talent. The city of Calgary has three players - Jackson Romeril, Jackson Smith and Alex Scheiwiller.
• The most popular name choice of the 40 players attending camp? Jackson. There is Jackson Romeril, Jackson Smith and Jackson DeSouza. 
• Who is the heaviest player at camp? Rookie d-man Jace Moffatt is 210 pounds. Moffatt is one of only three players that are over 200. Goalie Justin Dueck and second year d-man John Babcock tip the scales at 200 pounds each.
• The tallest player is Jackson DeSouza at 6'4. 
• Only 4 of the 40 players are listed. Goalie Nicholas Cristiano, Jace Moffatt, Scott Cousins and Dylan Whitman fall into that category.
• Ten players are born in January. August, April and February have 5 each. November and December saw no players born in those two months. 
• For those wondering, training camp is closed to the general public. The reason? COVID of course! 
• Matthew Wedman has been invited to Ottawa Senators development/rookie camp. The Kelowna Rockets MVP from the 2019-2020 season was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers but didn't have his contract renewed. Wedman joins former Rockets d-man Lassi Thomson at the camp. Thomson was a first rounder of the Senators. 
• Zach Franko is back in the WHL...sort of. The former Rocket is working with the Winnipeg Jets/Manitoba Moose organization as a scout. The 28 year-old will be based out of Portland, Oregon where he will have his eyes peeled on teams in the WHL that pass through there this season. 
• How cool is it to see Quintin Laing join the coaching staff? The former Rocket will be a nice add to Kris Mallette's group. The two are former teammates and were drafted into the NHL at the same time. Why is Laing such a good fit and a good guy? He was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan!!!
• The Rockets home opener has changed. With concerns over crossing the US/Canada border, the team will open the season October 1st against the Vancouver Giants. They were scheduled to open the 2021-2022 campaign against the Everett Silvertips, but that game has been scrapped. The WHL sent out a press release yesterday stating that BC Division teams will play all games in October within the division. The same holds true for those in the US Division. 

Young and restless

Andrew Cristall

They are raw, wide eyed and often naïve.

It’s that unbridled enthusiasm that make 16 year-old players such nice additions to any junior hockey team.

A total of 10-16 year-old’s are attending Kelowna Rockets training camp this week.
Many are unfamiliar, outside of forward Andrew Cristall. The slick skating forward was the team’s first round bantam pick in 2020 and played in 14 games during the abbreviated-COVID season. He showed solid offensive instincts and will undoubtedly make the opening day roster.

Two other 16 year-old’s that I will be watching closely are Marcus Pacheco and d-man Caden Price.

Pacheco signed a standard WHL player’s contract in April. It was a pleasant surprise considering the Edmonton product was considering playing NCAA hockey and the WHL appeared to be his plan B. Pacheco is a third round pick from 2020.

Caden Price is intriguing because he comes with offensive upside. Lots of it in fact. A few years ago he had 31 goals in 31 games playing with the Saskatoon Generals. Can he translate those numbers to the WHL level? Not likely right away, but you can’t teach skill. I want to see him join the rush and throw caution to the wind in training camp. I need to see he can skate, has good edges and is comfortable handling the puck and distributing it. Tyson Barrie did it at 16 and look what he turned into.

The tough part for the coaching staff is making the decision on whether it’s best for these young players to remain with the big team where they will likely see limited ice time. 

While it is hard to swallow for the parent and the player, they are often served better by going back to midget for more seasoning.

The WHL is committing to dress 16 year-old players for no less than 40 games, so it’s hard for many teams to have more than two of them on its roster.

'Cole' notes on Rockets goaltending outlook

 

Cole Schwebius' time is now

40.

That's the number of players that will participate in Kelowna Rockets main camp this week at Prospera Place.

On-ice sessions begin tomorrow as those 40 players are split into two teams.

Training camp is always interesting. What can we expect? 

Let's look at the goaltenders today.

Five players will be vying for just two spots with 20 year-old Cole Schwebius returning with the most game experience.

Used as primarily a back-up to starter Roman Basran after being acquired in a trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds, it is now or never for the Kelowna resident to show he is worthy of being a number one goalie at the WHL level.

If you missed it, Basran was released this summer and was immediately listed by the Everett Silvertips.

Arguably the best interview on the team, Schwebius played in 9 games last season, posting a 5 and 3 record with a goals against average of 3.11. His save percentage will need to improve if he wants to be a starter, with a career .892 in 47 appearances. 

Also competing for a job at training camp is Cole Tisdale.

Tisdale is now 19, but made a name for himself as an emergency call up at 15 when he played five games during the 2017-2018 season. Since then he has spent the majority of the past two seasons in the AJHL. Tisdale is a 8th round bantam pick.

Nicholas Cristiano is back. Who? You may or not remember him from the abbreviated season. He was one of three goaltenders on the roster and saw action in just one game. It was a nice debut for the listed goalie, a 31 save performance against the Victoria Royals in a 5-1 win. 

The two rookie goalies attending camp are Justin Dueck and Alex Scheiwiller. Dueck is 18 while Scheiwiller is wet behind the ears at only 16. Dueck, from Waldeck, Saskatchewan was a 10th round bantam pick in 2018 while Scheiwiller was chosen in the 7th rounder in 2020.

In my humble opinion, the starting role in 2021-2022 is up for grabs. No one is a lock. 

Pre-season just a month away!!!

• Here we are. Mid-August and a month since I posted a few thoughts on this blog. Where to start? Well, we are a few weeks away from what would typically be rookie camp, with close to 100 hopefuls taking to the ice. It would be chance to see the newest crop of just drafted prospects take to the ice against others who are attending with the hopes of being listed by the team with a good showing. We didn't see a rookie camp last September with the pandemic playing havoc. Will it cripple another attempt at rookie camp again this season? Sadly, COVID-19 won't go away. The Delta Variant is the big concern and overall positive cases are going up and in the wrong direction despite more people being vaccinated. It has to be frustrating for teams not knowing if they can proceed as planned. While we want to believe its 'full speed ahead', you can't but hold your breath for the next two weeks and for the calendar to change to September.
• To think, the Rockets first pre-game game is exactly a month away when they face the Vancouver Giants down in Ladner. The pre-season consists of just 5 games before the puck drops for real October 2nd against the visiting Everett Silvertips. 
• While the WHL hasn't sent out a press release asking all players, coaches and team personnel to be fully vaccinated like their counterparts in both the QMJHL or OHL, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that without being vaccinated, you can't play or travel with the virus still playing such a prominent role. As a radio broadcaster, I was unvaccinated during the abbreviated season back in March, but I didn't travel with the team. I had zero contact with the players or the coaches. I am no scientist, but without two shots, I can't be in the same air space with any team member in fear of infecting them. Fast forwarding to now, I have been vaccinated, which appears to be my ticket to not only traveling with the team but making my way across the border into Oregon and Washington State.
• The Winnipeg Jets have put a line in the stand. If you are not double vaccinated, you won't be watching the team play home games inside Canada Life Centre. While it sounds bold for the team to make the decision, True North Sports and Entertainment says season ticket holders made it clear that was their preference. Look for others in Canada to follow the Jets lead. The question must be asked, will WHL teams also require hockey fans to be full vaxxed to enter the building or will they let the provincial health officers to make that decision for them? As a fully vaccinated person, my hope is those around me inside a building would also do the same, but that's not my call. 
• I golfed with three Rockets season ticket holders on the weekend. A small sample size, but all three preferred everyone in the arena vaccinated over none-vaccinated. 
• Speaking of traveling, two NHL teams have already decided their radio play-by-play broadcasters won't be part of the traveling entourage this season. The Buffalo Sabres will have their radio crew call road games from home on a monitor as will the Toronto Maple Leafs. I anticipate more teams doing the same. The fact is, radio is the ugly step child of media. It is not king. TV is. Radio may sit third in the pecking order behind the teams ability to control its own message through it's social media channels. NHL radio is nowhere near what it used to be in the glory days, especially in the 80's and 90's when big names were behind the microphones and played a significant part in covering the team. People used to listen more intently and radio was one of the go-to mediums. With COVID prohibiting TV and radio broadcast crews from traveling last season, they were forced into dipping into technology by sitting in a studio and calling games over a monitor. Did it work? It actually worked so well you could hardly tell they weren't physically in the arena. Credit to the radio crews and the production people that were able to pluck ambience sound from inside the respective arenas. It was surprisingly good. Like very, very good. Broadcasters will kick and scream if they are told they can't travel this season, but this may be the new reality. It isn't perfect. Pre-game skates and media interviews can't be executed face-to-face, but it has been proven that it's possible to get the job done with a high level of proficiency. If the team pays the travel costs for its media members to attend road games, I could see broadcasters making the trip. If the media company has to fit the bill, in a time of fiscal restraint, those who love riding the private jet with the team, rubbing shoulders with the players, eating at great restaurants and visiting excellent NHL arenas in fabulous cities may be a pipe dream moving forward. It's one of the perks of  being a broadcaster at that level. Losing the ability to be on the road and covering the team would be a hard pill to swallow for many - if not all.
• Enough COVID talk. How about the season that is schedule to start October 2nd. For those who weren't paying attention, the Kelowna Rockets won't play any games in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba this season. Teams based in those provinces won't return the favour either. It's strictly a diet of BC and US Division opponents this season. The Rockets will play 48 games against BC Division teams with 20 against American based clubs. That's 96 points available within your own division. With Kamloops winning back-to-back BC Division titles and looking as the odds on favourite to do it for a third straight time, winning games against them won't be easy. Prince George may be the most improved. It could be a three horse race between the Rockets, Giants and Royals to see who can grind out points against one another.
• I've been calling games in this league since 1995, so am I disappointed that we won't be making a prairie road trip this season? Honestly, no. Been there, done that. It isn't like I don't enjoy it, but it's typically a grueling trip with 6 games in 9 night's where the team from 'out west' doesn't look very good on a Tuesday night in Prince Albert because of  travel, moving from city-to-city in a small window and on most occasions involving the Rockets, the best players are absent as they attend a world junior main camp. The only thing missing from not playing games against Eastern Conference opponents will be my first live viewing of Connor Bedard.   
• Roman Basran's time with the Kelowna Rockets is over. The writing appeared to be on the wall. When you are a 20 year-old goalie, you need to be a consistent, dominating force at that position in order to earn one of three overage spots. Basran was unable to attain greatness consistently. He had his moments, but again it was streaky play. Basran had many highlites during his time in red, teal, black and white. Who will forget his first career start, at 16, with a 38 safe performance against the Medicine Hat Tigers. It was a Kelowna Rockets first where a goalie that young earned the white wash in his first career start. Basran was also involved in a goalie fight with Dylan Garand of the Kamloops Blazers which got him recognized with those viewing the replay time and time again on YouTube. One thing Basran didn't accomplish during his stint in the WHL was a goalie goal. I thought if one goalie would score a goal - Basran would be that candidate. He loved to play the puck. He especially loved to play it in his 16 and 17 year-old seasons and tempered that enthusiasm down in his 18 and 19 year-old campaigns. He could fire the puck quickly and accurately, but he never really came close to achieving something that only one other Rockets goalie has been able to accomplish. Jeff Calvert scored a goalie goal with the Tacoma Rockets. I have never called a 'goalie goal' in my 26 years in the booth. If I was a betting man, I would have put my money on Basran being the one that would allow me to tick that off my bucket list. 
  
• Trevor Wong didn't hear his name called at the NHL Draft, but all is not lost for a second year forward who picked up 16 points in 16 games during the abbreviated season. Wong will attend the training camp of the Florida Panthers. 
• Tyrell Goubourne, pound for pound, was one of the toughest and most intimidating players ever to wear Kelowna Rockets colours. 'Goulby' just signed a one year contact with the Belleville Senators, the AHL farm team of the Ottawa Senators. Now 27, Goulbourne has 11 NHL games under his belt with the Philadelphia Flyers. He most recently played with the Vegas Golden Knights AHL affiliate, but never had a chance to dress for the big team. A move to the Senators organization seems like a better fit to get another shot of getting back to the NHL. Ottawa is young and improving after missing the playoffs last season. Vegas is loaded with veteran talent and owned the second best overall record in the NHL in 2020-2021. Goulbourne is a bottom 6 forward, so earning a spot with the Senators seems a more likely possibility.
• Many people have been struggling mentally during the last 17-18 months in dealing with the pandemic. I get it. It's been rough. That said, have our anxiety levels not increased exponentially since the advent of the cellphone? No seriously, are we better off mentally because we have it in our hands and look on it continuously? No...we....are...not. Some post on social media for the exact purpose of getting likes and feedback/admiration from others. If you don't get that 'positive' feedback, you go into a dark place. If you really struggle with the mental side of living on this ever changing planet of ours, look at your iPhone as one of the contributing reasons why you don't feel good about yourself. I challenge those that struggle to abstain from it. Take a week from it being in the palm of your hand. I bet many can't do it.