3-0 = worst lead in hockey?

Libor Zabransky - Shoot the Breeze Photography

• Is 3-0 the worst lead in hockey? You won’t get an argument from the Kelowna Rockets. Goals from defencemen Cal Foote, Libor Zabransky and James Hilsendager helped the home team to a 3-0 lead, only to watch the Everett Silvertips storm back with four unanswered goals in a 4-3 shootout loss. In my opinion, the 3-0 lead was somewhat deceiving. The Tips created several quality scoring chances despite generating only 14 shots on goal through the opening 40 minutes. Had Rockets goaltender Brodan Salmond been average in the opening frame, the score could have been much closer than 2-0. The Tips looked like a team that was up 3-0, not down 3-cob. Playing with urgency, Riley Sutter’s seeing-eye wrist shot with 2:11 to play in regulation time propelled the Tips to a much deserved point. In the end, 20 year-old Matt Fonteyne scored the winner in the shootout. 
• Sure, Brodan Salmond should have stopped Riley Sutter's weak wrister from the right side boards when the score was 3-2, but let's not forget about the saves he made earlier, specifically on Sean Richards, who had a heck of a game. Salmond made a solid glove stop on Richards in the first period and was dialed in early. How about the stick stop Salmond made in the second period where he dove across in desperation to rob Richards again of a sure goal? Wowzers.  The save, which will make the WHL Plays of the Week without question, was essentially a replay of the paddle save Michael Herringer made on Blazers captain Collin Shirley in last year's playoffs. It came at the exact same end of the ice, at the exact same side of the net with the exact same body positioning necessary to dive back and get a stick on the puck. The only difference was Salmond's save came from his stick blade where Herringer's stop was with the paddle of his stick. Both saves were eye-popping. 
• It was nice to see rookie Libor Zabransky score his first career WHL goal. The 17 year-old had a massive smile on his face when he assisted on Cal Foote's opening marker, but the grin was even wider after wiring a shot past the glove of Tips goaltender Carter Hart to make the score 2-0. I always wonder about the fragile confidence a rookie has when playing at the WHL level against older players. How important is it for that player to find success early, in an effort to build confidence and not question his game? Named the third star, Zabransky has flair in the offensive zone, so it was nice to see him rewarded on the score-sheet. 
• Dillon Dube made his 2017-2018 debut and played on a line with Kole Lind and Erik Gardiner. I thought Dube and Lind often over-passed, which is par for the course when two skilled players find themselves on the same line for the first time. I thought Lind, who earned an assist, was the more dynamic of the two. Lind had a chance to win it in overtime, when on the power play, his wrister from the top of the left face-off circle was labeled for the corner but was snagged by Carter Hart. Hart was named the 1st star and I have no problem with that selection. The 19 year-old made timely stops which is what I always look at over the course of a game.
• Lacking scoring depth, you wonder if the Rockets would be better served with Lind and Dube playing on difference lines? That said, the Tips employ their top two scorers - Patrick Bajkov and Matt Fonteyne together - so more teams than not load up with one high end line. Three games into the season means experimentation is the norm. 
• How about the save Carter Hart made on Rockets forward Jack Cowell in the first period? That was a sure goal taken away. Cowell had a team high 6 shots on net. You have to love the turnaround in his overall game and I love that he is shooting with no hesitation.
• It didn't turn out to be the turning point in the game, but it went a long way in enabling the Rockets to earn a point in this one. The team successfully killed off a 5 on 3 when the Tips were awarded a two man advantage about six minutes into the second period.  Tomas Soustal was sent to the penalty box for high sticking and Kole Lind was given a two minute minor for hooking. The Tips failed to score thanks to a shot blocking clinic from Erik Gardiner and Cal Foote that would have made ex-Silvertips head coach Kevin Constantine proud. That courageous effort on the PK came with the Rockets up 2-0 and the Tips pressing.
• An early concern is the power play, which went 0 for 6 in last night's loss. Typically, the penalty killing unit is better at the start of the season before the power play resurrects itself. Remember the power play was third best in the WHL last season. It will get ironed out.
• Another positive? I sure like the way the d-men are jumping up in the play. All three goals were scored by defencemen with Cal Foote the most pro-active in joining the rush. Foote had a goal and an assist and reached the 100 point mark in his WHL career. 
• For the third time this season, a call on the ice was made for playing without a mouth guard. This time Dillon Dube received the 10 minute misconduct. I frankly like the rule and the fact the officials are coming down hard on the players. If you have it in your mouth, wear the darn thing properly. It is like Brian Burke's tie. Don't wear it around your neck! Tie that thing in a knot. 
• The Rockets have opened the scoring in all three games and have carried the lead into the third period in all three games. They have also out-shot their opponent in all three games.
• Despite the shootout loss, the Rockets have not played one second from behind this season.       
• Up next is a date with the Victoria Royals Wednesday night and then a visit to the CN Centre in Prince George next Friday and Saturday night. By then we should know the status of 20 year-old Tomas Soustal. Has Soustal done enough in three games to solidify an import spot or is rookie Marek Skrvne a better option? Has Soustal done enough to be one of three 20 year-old's on the roster this season?

Dube returns vs. Tips

Dillon Dube - Shoot the Breeze Photography

Tonight’s Preview: The Kelowna Rockets are in their 27^th year of existence since coming into the Western Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1991. After four seasons in Tacoma, the team relocated to Kelowna in 1995-96, where the team has spent the last 22 years in the Okanagan. The team has four WHL championships (2003, 2005, 2009, 2015) and have missed the playoffs only once in their existence. The hockey club has made four straight appearances in the Western Conference final and has registered 40 or more wins in five consecutive seasons.

Instant Offense: Forward Dillon Dube returns to the line-up tonight after attending the training camp of the Calgary Flames. Dube participated in three NHL pre-season games. Dube was chosen in the second round of the 2016 NHL draft, 56^th overall by the Flames. Dube is two points shy of 150 points for his career and is 15 assists shy of 100. The Rockets chose Dube with their 1^st pick in the 2013 WHL bantam draft where 20 players were taken before him. Born in Golden, BC, Dube had 21 points in 17 playoff games last season. The well-spoken forward is attempting to become the first Rockets player to represent Canada twice at the world junior hockey championships.

Broadcasters Notebook: Kole Lind leads the WHL in scoring with (3+5=8) 8 points in two games…Cal Foote leads all defenceman in scoring with 6 points (1+5=6)….The Rockets boast one first round NHL draft pick and two second rounders. Cal Foote was chosen 14^th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in June while Kole Lind (2^nd round (33^RD) Canucks - 2017) and Dillon Dube (2^nd round (56^th) Flames - 2016) were picked in the second round….Nolan Foote, last season’s rookie of the year, is not eligible to be drafted until June 2019….Rookie defenceman Libor Zabrasky’s father played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues…Zabransky played for the Czech Republic at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in August. Nolan Foote was a member of the gold medal Canadian team…Rookie Kaeden Korczak was a Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League all-star last season with the Yorkton Maulers….Rookie Liam Kindree was the BC Major Midget Hockey League scoring champion last season with the Vancouver Northwest Giant (67 points in 40 games).

Milestones: Kole Lind is 10 assists shy of 100 for his career…Lind is two games shy of 150 for his career…Cal Foote’s next point will be the 100^th of his career…Cal Foote is 6 games shy of 150 for his career…James Hilsendager has played a team high 183 WHL regular season games. 

Rockets Review: The Rockets were 45-22-0-5 last season which was good for second place in the BC Division with 95 points, one fewer than division leading Prince George. The team had the 6^th best winning percentage in the WHL while scoring the third most goals and allowing the fourth fewest goals against. The Rockets won 22 road games, the second most in the Western Conference behind only the Cougars (23). Kole Lind was the teams scoring champion (30+57=87) with Lind leading the team in assists (57) and MVP Calvin Thurkauf leading the charge with 33 goals. The hockey club made it all the way to the third round of the playoffs before eventually losing in 6 games to WHL champion Seattle. 

Who’s Gone? The team lost seven significant players following the 2016-2017 season. Calvin Thurkauf (33 goals and 70 points) is playing pro hockey with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nick Merkley (63 points in 63 games) is playing pro with the Arizona Coyotes. Captain Rodney Southam graduated and is playing with the Acadia Axemen. Lucas Johansen is with the Washington Capitals organization while Reid Gardiner, acquired at last year’s trade deadline for a first round bantam pick, signed an American Hockey League deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Overage goaltender Michael Herringer is playing with the Regina Cougars (U Sports) this season. 

Roster Stats:

Player total: 26

Year by Year Breakdown:

20’s (1997) – 5   Ballhorn, Twarynski, Hilsendager, Soustal Stephens (signed)       

19’s (1998) - 4   Salmond, Lind, Dube, Cal Foote, Chizen

18’s (1999) - 7   Topping, Mattson, Gardiner, Bruggen-Cate, Cowell, Porter, Skvrne

17’s (2000) - 9   Nolan Foote, Belcourt, Zabransky, Kindree, Brennan, McGauley, Kushniryk, Pow, Hair

16’s (2001) - 1   Korczak,

NHL Drafted Players: Cal Foote (Tampa Bay 2017), Kole Lind (Vancouver 2017), Dillon Dube (Calgary 2016), Carsen Twarynski (Philadelphia 2016), Brayden Chizen (Minnesota 2016).  

Game Notes Compiled by Regan Bartel of AM 1150

Lind leads by example

Kole Lind - Shoot the Breeze Photography

• Kole Lind led the Kelowna Rockets in scoring last season with 87 points. After two weekend victories over the Kamloops Blazers, Lind leads the WHL scoring race. The 18 year-old collected a goal and two assists Friday night in a 6-2 win and followed that up with two goals and three assists Saturday night in a 5-1 victory. Lind came back from Canucks camp with a tremendous mindset, one that he and the Canucks deserve much credit. Whatever the coaches said to Lind in his first NHL training camp exit meeting, it must have been made abundantly clear that his time would eventually come to play professional hockey - but that time was not now. Go back to Kelowna, don't sulk and pout, be the best player on the ice and do it on a consistent basis. It looks like Lind accepted the fact he wasn't going to walk into the Canucks dressing room after being selected in the second round in June and take the franchise by storm. The best players don't ignore discrepancies in their game. They address them and this is Lind's platform to correct those shortcomings. Lind's game is in a tremendous place. More importantly, the Shaunavon, Saskatchewan residents mental game is where it needs to be. If it remains this way in his third full season in the WHL, Lind will be playing in the NHL quicker than you may think. 
• If you told me going into the weekend that goaltender Brodan Salmond would allow only three goals against in back-to-back games against the Blazers, I would have laughed at you. The 19 year-old was extremely good on the weekend. Salmond was like a piece of plywood. Rarely out of position, the Calgary resident let the puck hit him. I will admit though, Salmond appears to have one aspect of his game at a higher level than last years starter Michael Herringer. Salmond seems to be able to track pucks better. Sorry for the 'hockey speak', but if a puck hits a shin pad or deflects off the glass, Salmond seems to be able to pick it up better and than is able to get into position to stop it. Herringer often lost sight of the puck and had to react acrobatically to recover. Salmond isn't totally vanilla by the way. His glove hand save against Blazers 20 year-old Nick Chyzowski Saturday night shows that Brodan is quicker than we give him credit for. If I was grading Salmond's game this weekend, he easily gets an A.
• As impressive as the three goals against, how about the 11 goals scored? That's generating significant numbers without essentially four regulars out of the line-up. No Dillon Dube, Carsen Twarynski, Erik Gardiner and Leif Mattson didn't deter them from scoring four unanswered goals in Friday's win and another four unanswered goals in the third period in Saturday's road victory. Of the 11 goals scored, Kole Lind was in on 8 of them.
• How about Jack Cowell's play on the weekend? One of the most impressive players in fitness testing, the sophomore forward is taking the game seriously. It has translated into opportunity and three goals in two games. Listed by the Rockets after no one touched him at the WHL bantam draft, the Winnipeg product is just one goal shy from the four he scored in 59 games in his rookie season. Clearly Cowell has the skill set to play at this level. Watch his breakaway goal in Saturday's third period or the fact he was able to handle Kole Lind's saucer pass to knife a shot high over Dylan Ferguson's shoulder to make it 2-1. That goal was the game winner. It is that core of second year forwards that must be better to ensure the team has success. Jack Cowell....mission accomplished in the first two games of the season.
• I've spoken so glowingly of Kole Lind's positive approach to returning to the WHL, but the same must also be said about captain Cal Foote. Looking larger and more intimidating than a season ago (is it the shoulder pads?), I really like the way he is jumping into the play to manufacture offense. Foote's shot from the point is wicked, but his two way game is also something special. Playing with rookie Libor Zabransky, Foote is playing like a first round NHL draft pick should. Composed, prepared and looking elite, Foote leads WHL defenceman in scoring (1+5=6) after two games.
• One rookie who has taken some significant strides in the first two games is 17 year-old Wil Kushniryk. With two assists on the opening weekend, the raw rookie could have had his first WHL goal with a glorious chance in the opening period. Kushniryk is a big body at 6'5 and 205 pounds and in my short viewing, doesn't play a big man's game.yet. Another listed player by Director of Player Personnel Lorne Frey, playing time, patience and confidence is needed right now. Kushniryk is a project, but worth taking a close look at.
• We shouldn't be surprised that Saturday's game at Sandman Centre (I mistakenly called it the Interior Savings Centre Friday night) had some ice issues. Used as a refuge, or evacuation centre during the huge forest fires near Williams Lake, the ice was often soft and took significant time to freeze after a flood. In fact, play was halted early in the third period when the ice was so wet, the puck was sticking to it when players were attempting to stick handle or even pass it. The building typical has terrific ice and Saturday's less than ideal ice is a one-off. 
• Before the player introductions Saturday night, the Blazers showed a wicked team video on the big screen. It was excellent. I am told that the Dallas Stars video team produced it, which may be the reason why it had the desired effect in hyping the virtues of the home team. The Blazers owner, Tom Gaglardi, also owns the NHL's Dallas Stars. I thought it was admirable to see Gaglardi in attendance at the Blazers home opener. 
• Have you noticed something new on the WHL website? In the game summary section, data is being FINALLY collected for shots taken by an individual player and face-offs won and lost are also being tabulated. Outstanding. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has been doing this for years and I always wondered why the WHL wasn't doing the same? If the opening weekend is any indication, it will be a constant in 2017-2018. What a welcome addition for fans and broadcasters.     

Bring it

Shoot the Breeze Photography

• The Kamloops Blazers should have an axe to grind with the Kelowna Rockets. The Rockets have ended their BC Division rivals season not once, but twice in the last two years. In the 2016 playoffs, Tomas Soustal scored the game winning goal in overtime lifting the Rockets to a game seven series win. Then in March, the Rockets advanced to the second round with a six game series victory. Don’t be fooled by how the playoffs ended a season ago. The Blazers won 6 of 10 regular season meetings last season, spoiling Jason Smith’s head coaching debut with a 9-2 drubbing on opening night.
• While Smith had the last laugh with a playoff series win, the second year coach will want to see his team get off to a much better start than they did in 2016-2017. For those with a short memory, the team lost seven of its first 10 games before finding its footing.
• The Rockets will be without marquee forward Dillon Dube when the two teams clash Friday night at Prospera Place. Dube has played good enough to earn a third look in a pre-season game when the Calgary Flames face the Arizona Coyotes. The pride of Golden BC, who makes Cochrane Alberta his off-season home, is doing everything right in an effort to open the eyes of the Flames coaching staff. It shouldn't be a surprise that Dube is playing so well considering it is his second NHL training camp after being drafted by the Flames in the second round in 2016.  
• With the loss of Calvin Thurkauf and Nick Merkley (both will play pro this season), only Kole Lind (87) and Cal Foote (57) had more points than Dube last season. Dube played only 40 regular season games last year, earning 20 goals and 55 points. That is an average of 1.38 points per game compared to Lind’s 1.24 points per game. Lind played in 70 games a season ago.
• The Rockets will play this season without MVP Calvin Thurkauf, playoff MVP Reid Gardiner and Nick Merkley. That was arguably the team’s best line during the 2017 post season. Combined, those three players racked up 170 points. That’s a massive loss of offense. The team scored 283 goals last season, the third most in the WHL with Regina and Medicine Hat leading the way. Do you remember all the talk before last season's puck drop and the questions surrounding the teams expected struggles to score? With the loss of Rourke Chartier, Justin Kirkland and Tyson Baillie the Rockets were doomed. Not so fast. Last year’s team scored 14 more goals than in 2015-2016. Other players were able to pick up the slack. I anticipate that happening again this season. 
• I am really looking forward to watching rookie 17 year-old Libor Zabransky play. The Czech Republic born d-man has seen no game action after missing the four pre-season games with an injured suffered at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.
• Speaking of import players, do the Rockets use overage forward Tomas Soustal on opening night? They have room for him considering fellow 20 year-old Carsen Twarynski remains at the training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. Or does the team go with the two younger euros they have on their roster in Zabransky and fellow Czech Marek Skvrne (Skrin-ya)?  Skvrne hasn't played a game either at the WHL level after going  back home to finish up his high school exams before returning to the junior team that drafted him in June.
• Who wears the 'C' on opening night? It will be interesting to watch.    
• Second year forward Erik Gardiner won't play in the home opener. The 18 year-old is sidelined another three weeks with what the team is calling a lower body injury.
• Before the season starts, don't get carried away with WHL officiating this season. They are an easy target, but I find it soooo weak when people use it as an excuse for the demise of the team they support. Have you paid any attention to NHL/NFL/MLB/CFL officiating over the last couple of months? Give these guys a break that get paid a pittance of what others make to call a game. They are not flawless because they too are human. Please remember that.  

Here we go!

You Ready? The Kelowna Rockets are in their 27^th year of existence since coming into the Western Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1991. After four seasons in Tacoma, the team relocated to Kelowna in 1995-96, where the team has spent the last 22 years in the Okanagan. The team has four WHL championships (2003, 2005, 2009, 2015) and have missed the playoffs only once in their existence. The hockey club has made four straight appearances in the Western Conference final and has registered 40 or more wins in five consecutive seasons. The team has 255 wins in 360 games over that stretch. That is an average of 16 losses per season over that last five years.

Rockets Review: The Rockets were 45-22-0-5 last season which was good for second place in the BC Division with 95 points, one fewer than division leading Prince George. The team had the 6^th best winning percentage in the WHL while scoring the third most goals and allowing the fourth fewest goals against. The Rockets won 22 road games, the second most in the Western Conference behind only the Cougars (23). Kole Lind was the teams scoring champion (30+57=87) with Lind leading the team in assists (57) and MVP Calvin Thurkauf leading the charge with 33 goals. The hockey club made it all the way to the third round of the playoffs before eventually losing in 6 games to WHL champion Seattle. 

Broadcasters Notebook: The Rockets boast one first round NHL draft pick and two second rounders. Cal Foote was chosen 14^th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in June’s while Kole Lind (2^nd round (33^RD) Canucks - 2017) and Dillon Dube (2^nd round (56^th) Flames - 2016) were picked in the second round….Nolan Foote, last season’s rookie of the year, is not eligible to be drafted until June 2019….Dube played for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships last season…Rookie defenceman Libor Zabransky’s father played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues…Zabransky played for the Czech Republic at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in August. Nolan Foote was a member of the gold medal Canadian team…Rookie Kaeden Korczak was a Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League all-star last season with the Yorkton Maulers….Rookie Liam Kindree was the BC Major Midget Hockey League scoring champion last season with the Vancouver Northwest Giant (67 points in 40 games).   

Who’s Gone? The team lost seven significant players following the 2016-2017 season. Calvin Thurkauf (33 goals and 70 points) is playing pro hockey with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nick Merkley (63 points in 63 games) is playing pro with the Arizona Coyotes. Captain Rodney Southam graduated and is playing with the Acadia Axemen. Lucas Johansen is with the Washington Capitals organization while Reid Gardiner, acquired at last year’s trade deadline for a first round bantam pick, signed an American Hockey League deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.  Overage goaltender Michael Herringer is playing with the University of Regina Cougars (U Sports) this season. 

Rockets Schedule: In the first half of the season, the Rockets play 19 of 34 games on the road. The longest road trip of the season is in early December when the team completes its bi-annual Eastern Conference road trip with stops in Regina, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, PA and Saskatoon. In December the team plays a season high 8 games on the road. The longest home stand this season is just four games. The team plays three games in three nights only once (October 14^th, 15^th, 16^th). The quirkiest part of the schedule is a lone trip to Calgary to face the Hitmen on January 7^th

Schedule Breakdown:

September: 3 games     December: 11 games   March: 8 games

October: 11 games        January: 13 games

November: 12 games     February: 14 games

NHL Drafted Players: Cal Foote (Tampa Bay 2017), Kole Lind (Vancouver 2017), Dillon Dube (Calgary 2016), Carsen Twarynski (Philadelphia 2016), Brayden Chizen (Minnesota 2016).  

Two to tend the twine

Liam Kindree - Shoot the Breeze photography 

• My belief is three rookies on the Kelowna Rockets roster this season will make an immediate impact. Seventeen year-old Liam Kindree will have a real good year. Sent back to midget last year rather than keep him around in his 16 year-old season, Kindree showed determination, avoided sulking and ended up leading the BCMMHL in scoring. Fellow 17 year-old Czech Republic born defenceman Libor Zabransky will need to adjust to the North American game, but once he gets used to the speed and smaller ice surface, I can't see why the smooth skating defender can't impress in his first season in the WHL. The other rookie to make an impact will be 16 year-old Kaedan Korczak. He too will get better and better as the season goes along.  Korczak has excelled at every level he's played and I don't see things changing. Oh ya, it will take some time before he is completely comfortable, but Rockets fans have three solid rookies that will look anything but when April rolls around.             
• Brodan Salmond was the returning player I really wanted to watch closely during the WHL pre-season. How would he preform with the opportunity to start the season as the #1 goalie? Salmond finished the exhibition schedule with a goals against average of 0.67 and a save percentage of .982. That's right, the about to turn 19 year-old stopped 56 of the 57 shots taken his way. Again, it is a small sample size when teams don't dress elite players, but Salmond in no way laid an egg in the three games he played. That is why Salmond is the teams starter. He beat out a challenge from free agent Cody Porter, who was a year younger. Management clearly wants to use a 20 year-old spot at forward, which in my opinion is the best move.   
• I haven't quite been able to figure out Salmond's style. He isn't acrobatic. He glides horizontally side-to-side well, but rarely goes to the butterfly when a shot is taken. A stand up goalie, his style is reminiscent of what we witnessed when Shane Bendera wore Kelowna Rockets colours in the 2001-2002 season? Acquired from the Red Deer Rebels for Carsen Germyn and goalie Jason Stone, Bendera let pucks hit him, not the other way around. Bendera was almost motionless in the net and would never over commit. The stance that Salmond exhibits is almost a carbon copy of Bendera.  At 5'11, Bendera was the playoff MVP when he led the Red Deer Rebels to a WHL title in 2000-2001 and had the lowest against average in the WHL that season . Bendera was named the Rockets MVP a season later.      
• Rookie goaltender Roman Basran will play this season with the Okanagan Rockets in the BC Major Midget Hockey League. That is a great spot for the 16 year-old to develop. You do not have to rush Basran's development.   
• Kyle Topping led the Kelowna Rockets in pre-season scoring with 2+4=6 in four games. The second year forward was followed closely by sophomore forward Leif Mattson, who scored a team high three goals and collected 5 points. Mattson, who I think could have a great year if given the chance, also led the team with a +4 rating.
• The Kelowna Rockets aren't sure what type of players they've picked in June's CHL Import draft. Neither 17 year-old defenceman Libor Zabransky nor 18 year-old forward Marek Skvrne have played a game yet for their new team. Zabransky missed all four pre-season games after being injured at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament while Skvrne returned to the Czech Republic to finish high school exams.  General Manager Bruce Hamilton says it will be a steep learning curve for Zabransky, not because of the smaller North American ice surface, but the number of games/travel that can take its toll on a first year player. Both Zabransky and Skvrne are expected to be ready to play when the Rockets open the regular season next Friday against the Kamloops Blazers.
• How badly will WHL visiting public address announcers butcher Skvrne's name this season? Reading it cold will be funny. Some will take a pregnant pause before either saying it quickly in frustration while  some will grind it out and stumble and bumble in an effort to get it right. Skvrne's last name is pronounced (Skrin-ya).
• The Kelowna Rockets played only four pre-season games. The team went 3-0-0-1. Is that enough games to prepare for the regular season? Does it give young, aspiring rookies a chance to show they can play at this level? While the lack of game action may have them shaking off the rink rust on opening night,  the lack of games can't but reduce the risk of injury. While the Rockets are playing a WHL low four exhibition games the Tri City Americans are on the ice an astonishing eight times. 

BC Division players to watch

The BC Division featured four quality teams last season. The Prince George Cougars, Kelowna Rockets, Kamloops Blazers and Victoria Royals were a handful. Sorry Vancouver Giants, you were the weak sister. Three of the four teams mentioned (PG/Kelowna,Kamloops) had over 90 points with first to third separated by only 6 points. Here are four players, one from each BC Division team (Rockets excluded), that will make a significant impact this season.  

Kamloops Blazers Goaltender Dylan Ferguson:

Shoot the Breeze Photography

Playing behind arguably the best goaltender in the WHL over the last two seasons couldn't have been easy for Dylan Ferguson. With Connor Ingram getting better and better by the day, it wasn't until he made Canada's world junior team that Ferguson could prove doubters that he could carry the mail. Everyone on this side of the Rockies were waiting for the Blazers to fold with Ingram's absence, but Ferguson didn't allow that to happen. The now 19 year-old was so good in December, he was named the Vaughn Goaltender of the Month. The Lantzville, BC resident was 6-3-0-1 with a stellar 2.44 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. Now that Ingram has moved to pro, can Ferguson be the Blazers number one goalie? The answer? Darn rights! I think he can be one of the best in the Western Conference. Ferguson is attended Las Vegas Golden Knights rookie camp after originally being drafted this summer in the 7th round by the Dallas Stars.  


Victoria Royals Forward Matthew Phillips:

Arguably one of the most exciting players in the Western Conference, Phillips is a scoring machine. The now 19 year-old has scored 88 goals in 144 WHL regular season games. Not impressive enough for you? How about 169 points in 144 career games? At 5'7 and under 150 pounds, Phillips is slippery, durable and is as good on the ice as he is with the media. The Calgary Flames took him the 6th round in 2016, which some would consider a gamble, but the dude has produced at every levels he's played. A first team WHL all-star last season, look for Philips to again hit the 50 goal plateau and easily reach 100 points. If you are picking a player to lead the league in scoring, this is your guy.


Vancouver Giants Forward Tyler Benson:

Shoot the Breeze Photography

People often ask me what I think of Tyler Benson. The first word that comes out of my mouth is 'underwhelming'. Often injured, I have seen the now 19 year-old play a handful of times and always wonder if he is 100% healthy? I hope he is playing injured because my eyes don't pop out of my head when he has the puck. Sure, he has played on very poor Vancouver Giants teams over the last few years, but don't real good players stand out regardless? A second round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, which is bold, needs to stay out of the infirmary and play between 65 and 70 games this season. It's been suggested that a change of venue would help Benson, but would you be a willing trade  partner and give up a good player when the Edmonton product has played 63 games over the last two seasons? I would love to see Benson dominate like he did when he was a highly regarded bantam. Question is, can he do it at this level? I want to be a believer that Benson is a really good player. It isn't good for the BC Division when the Giants win only 20 games. A healthy Benson should change that.


Prince George Cougars Defenceman Dennis Cholowski

A first round NHL draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, Cholowski was signed with little fanfare by the Prince George Cougars in mid-August. The Cougars probably thought he would never play hockey up north when they drafted him in the 10th round of the 2013 WHL bantam draft.  It is another example of picking a player even though it was suggested he had no intention of playing major junior hockey. The Cougars took no risk in making the pick and now look like a genius because of it. The Red Wings clearly want their prospect to play in Prince George and why wouldn't they with an ownership group that actually cares. On top of that, the coaching staff, despite a first round playoff upset, appear to have their act together. The Langley, BC resident will make a significant impact and should be more than an adequate replacement for Cougars MVP Brendan Guhle. I'm excited to see him play.  I've heard some suggest GM Todd Harkins should trade him considering the Cougars are in a rebuild. I would guard against that. Unless the Cougars lose 8 straight games to start the season instead of winning 8 in a row, like they did a season ago on their way to a franchises first ever BC Division title, don't count on it.

Salmond solidifies #1 starting job!

Brodan Salmond - Shoot the Breeze Photography 

Let's make something perfectly clear. Brodan Salmond has done everything he can to solidify his spot as the Kelowna Rockets number one goaltender. Yep, he has left no galvanized piece of rubber unturned. You can only stop the pucks that are shot your way and the statistics during the pre-season show the Calgary resident, in a worse case scenario, deserves a shot at showing what he can do.
In two starts and 61 minutes of playing time, Salmond has stopped 32 of 33 pucks for a save percentage of .970.
One word. Impressive.
Having allowed only one goal against, the about to turn 19 year-old has a goals against average of  0.98. Simply put, Salmond has delivered despite naysayers suggesting he can't get it done. While doubt still remains with his limited resume and the regular season still 16 days away, in my opinion, he deserves the starting role when the team opens the regular season September 22nd against the Kamloops Blazers. You can't take that opportunity away from him after riding the pine behind Michael Herringer a season ago.
Salmond won't wow you with his cat-like reflexes, athleticism or his tremendous positioning. The 10th round WHL bantam pick has a lot of work in his game. But that could also be said of Memorial Cup champion and MVP Kelly Guard. Guard came to the Rockets as a 19 year-old discarded player from the Prince Albert Raiders. Guard had his warts too, but was a WHL champion (2003) at seasons end. Adam Brown and Jordan Cooke were never sure-fire proven starters in their 19 year-old seasons either. Brown still holds a franchise record for minutes played. Cooke is regarded as one of the Rockets best goalies after capturing the CHL Top Goalie award in his 20 year-old season.
Can you imagine if all three were never given a chance?
Were you shaking in your boots when Cooke graduated and Jackson Whistle assumed the number one duties for the start of the 2014-2015 season? Sure you did. So did I. You should also remember how Whistle grabbed the baton and ran with it. Whistle, who wasn't positionally sound either, would help the team earn a WHL title when it was suggested through the season, and all through the playoffs, that he was the weak link that would sink the Rockets chances of winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup.
Does Brodan Salmond need to be terrific this season and steal games in order for the team to win? It wouldn't hurt, but if Salmond needs to be a saviour in order to propel his team to success, the 2017-2018 edition of the Kelowna Rockets have more problems than at the starting goaltender position.