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.