- It's been reported that former Kelowna Rockets head coach Marc Habscheid will only entertain a coaching offer at the WHL level if ownership or GM/Coach duties are part of the equation. I don't want to speak for Habscheid, who I chat with occasionally over the hockey season, but it's just not accurate that those conditions must be met before he'd move back behind the bench of a WHL team. If the situation is right for Habscheid and his family, my sense is he would entertain all offers at the junior level.
- Congrats to Brandon McMillan and Tyler Myers for being selected to the Canadian Under-18 team. The two players are coming off a solid performance in the playoffs, and now their season continues for a couple of more weeks.
- What does the future hold for Kristofer Westblom? The Kelowna Rockets goaltender may entertain a pro offer in the East Coast League, but would he not want to take advantage of his scholarship money after five seasons in the WHL? Many quality goaltenders have elected to play Canadian College hockey rather than follow a pipe dream of getting a shot at the NHL level. Look no further than former Rockets netminder Derek Yeomans (U of New Brunswick) and former Everett Silvertip Jeff Harvey (U of S). It will also be interesting to follow the hockey career of James McEwan. Does he attempt to battle it out at the pro level next season or does he also take advantage of the scholarship money he has in front of him?
- The Kelowna Rockets exit meetings took place Wednesday and Thursday. It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall when the coaching staff met with 19 year-olds Myles MacRae, Colin Joe and Tysen Dowzak. My belief is one of the three will not be wearing Rockets colours at this time next season. All three will be battling for an overage spot next year, and if one is moved in a trade this summer, I wouldn't be surprised.
- If you thought Jamie Benn was a threat this season, just wait until next year. A summer of intense training will make Benn play at an even higher level than he demonstrated in his 18 year-old rookie season. Benn relied mainly on pure skill to get him by this season. With some added muscle thanks to the work of Rockets Athletic Therapist Jeff Thorburn, Benn will be a force in his 19 year-old season. Benn will be better off for it as will the Rockets and the team that drafted him, the Dallas Stars.
- With the Rockets recent mechanical problems with it's bus, could a new form of transportation be in the works? Majority owner Bruce Hamilton has hinted at a new bus for the team next season.
- How about a new scoreboard in place at Prospera Place for the start of next season? I spoke to RG Properties Dave Dakers about it in the playoffs, and he laughed it off. But Dakers gets the idea that the current scoreboard is bush league, and an upgrade is needed. The Rockets organization is willing to chip in for the cost of a new one, now it's up to RG Properties to dig into those deep pockets and come forward with some cash to put a smile on the face of it's greatest tenant.
- I didn't have the chance to see a Mariners game down in Seattle during the Rockets/T-Birds playoff series, but I had the pleasure of getting a shoe-shine. I was a shoe-shine virgin until I was persuaded to go downtown to get them buffed up. It was the best $2.50 I've ever spent.
- Seattle is a beautiful city. It's too big for this prairie boy, but man is it a great place to visit.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Things That Make Me Go Hmm...
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10 comments:
Hey Regan, sorry to hear you couldn't make it to a Mariners game. If you come on down during the summer the ticket will be on me!
Great job reporting on the series.
Mike
I emailed Dave Dakers about the score clock not even working.
Talking to the other season tickets holders around me it was concluded that the clock has not worked ( the scrolling part at the bottom) for a full season and the lasst 1/4of last season. Real weak for such an organization as the Rockets. Here is his reply.
"Please be advised that new upgraded parts have been ordered. There are a number of reasons this has not been dealt with more promptly but suffice it to say that the situation will be fixed for next season."
New clock.....doesn't appear that way. Poor job handling it....definately.
Regan:
I agree with Jamie Benn taking the time to work out and increase not only strength but his skating ability, he will be a force next year AND SHOULD BE THE GO TO GUY!. That goes for all the other rockets to...You dont think the likes of Dylan Hood, Evin Bloodoff, Kyle St.Denis and Brandon Macmillan will benefit from gaining the strength, etc.
I would like to congratulate both Tyler Myers and Brandon Macmillan on being chosen for U18. But Regan, your comments on Macmillan having a solid performance in the playoff: 7 Games, 0 Points and an -3.
In defense of Brandon, it was a long year for this dude. He played for the Rockets, played at the top prospects game, and had the pressure of playing in his draft year with scouts watching his every move. It was mentally and physically taxing on him in my opinion. Some players handle it better - Luke Schenn - than others. McMillan wasn't totally silent hitting a cross bar in game #1 or #2 ?? I can't go after a guy who is just 17 years-old (he's now technically 18).He had 29 points more this year than last season and played in 71 regular season games. Only Colin Long played in all 72 this season. Once the draft is over Brandon McMillan will be a much better player.
Regan I thought that Tyler Myers was an American citizen? Does this mean that he now has duel citizenship and has now decided to play for Canada in future world tournaments including the WJC.
Love your blog - read it religiously every day.
As a Kings fan, we are craving Stamkos... but if I ended up with Luke Schenn, I would not complain! Heck maybe we can trade up with our other #1 to get Schenn and Meyers!
Thanks for your great blogs this year. It makes tyracking the great WHL teams easier for us Californians that cant even get Kings news!!!
If the Kings indeed get Schenn it would be pretty cool, as he would join Thomas Hickey. How neat would that be to see two Canadian World Junior d-partners as d-partners again,this time at the NHL level?
The pleasure to keep you informed as been all mine. Thanks for visiting.
Hey Regan! Well, i must say, Even though the boys did not go very far this year, it was still SO much fun to be back in the playoffs! Always love reading your blog and read it on a daily basis! A great wealth of Knowledge and i Hope you keep it going throughout the summer as well on any happenings with the WHL and the Kelowna Rockets.
One thing i had to ask myself, was, when the announcement was made that Brady signed a contract with the Salmon Kings. Brady had an outstanding season this year, with not only his point production but his fiestyness and his hard nosed attitude. What do you think of this Question....Do you think Brady gets this ECHL Contract if he stays with the Bronco's?
Good point Jared. Leo would have played a much different role with that team. In Swift Current he would have likely played the third line, with little to no power play time. It was only until he arrived in Kelowna, was he given, and focused his attention on the skilled side of his game. My belief is Leo can play at the AHL level if given the chance.
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