Rockets make trade

The Kelowna Rockets have acquired 17 year-old Carter Rigby from the Prince George Cougars and a conditional 6th round bantam pick in exchange for a 3rd rounder in 2012.
Rigby is a 6'2, 210 pound forward who played the majority of last season in the KIJHL with Osoyoos.
After his season concluded in Osoyoos, he joined the BCHL's Penticton Vees where he collected seven points (1+6=7).
Rigby is from Penticton and scored 67 goals and collected 120 points playing midget hockey.
Rigby is a 8th rounder of the Cougars from 2009.
From the video's I've watched of him, he has skill but won't hesitate to fight.

Quick thoughts from pre-season win.

• It was only exhibition, but beating the Vancouver Giants at any time is fun. Cody Chikie scored a power play goal in overtime leading the Kelowna Rockets to a 4-3 pre-season win Friday night at Prospera Place. Madison Bowey, Tyson Ballie and Jessey Astles added singles. The Rockets host Victoria tonight at 7.
  
• Rookie European forward Filip Vasko chipped in with two assists.
• Jordan Cooke went the distance in goal and was sharp despite giving up three goals on 28 shots.
• The Rockets dressed just one-20 year-old. Chikie, as mentioned, scored the game winner. Adam Brown was Cookie's backup and defenceman Kevin Smith watched from the sidelines.
• 17 year-old forward Colton Sissons wore the 'C' on his jersey. He doesn't turn 18 until October.
  
• The youngest guy on the ice last night was Rockets forward Ryan Donaldson. Donaldson is just 14. He doesn't turn 15 until December 10th. What does that say about the Langley BC resident if he is participating in a WHL pre-season game?
  
• If Jessey Astles' can get his shot away, the 18 year-old is going to score a lot of goals. Does he not have the best release, or one of the quickest releases on the team? You don't use your slap shot when you can release it that quickly.
• Tyrell Goulbourne was involved in a scrap and did very well. The 17 year-old is anything but a heavyweight (5'11 - 170), but a willing combatant and can throw a hard punch. You have to admire his grit.
  
• I sure liked the play of 16 year-old forward Tyson Baillie. If I was picking the team, he would be on my opening day roster. Not a great skater, Baillie has a knack for finding himself in good positions to score. I am not sure if that can be taught. The Fort Saskatchewan resident was a bigger scorer in Bantam and collected as many points in Midget as he played games. He even went out of his way last night to make body contact which shows me he is no shrinking violet.
• If Baillie makes the team, the temptation will be there to call him Tyson Barrie. I see it slipping out of my mouth.
  
• Best overall Rockets d-man? Madison Bowey. The 16 year-old joins the rush, is able to recover quickly and rarely gives away the puck.
  
• Winning face-offs. That is a key area the Rockets need to improve on this season. I thought the Rockets struggled in that phase of the game last year in the playoff series against Portland. Shane McColgan, Cody Chikie, Colton Heffley and whoever else taking the draws have to be a whole lot better.
• Ex-Rocket Mikeal Backlund made a quick stop in the broadcast booth last night. Backlund is spending some time in Kelowna before he prepares for the start of Calgary Flames training camp.
• Former Rockets analyst Joey Kenward took in the game. Kenward has joined the staff of the Vancouver Canucks full time and will be doing good work on the teams website. Kenward told me that Rick Ball, also a former Rockets announcer, will be doing some games with CBC's Hockey Night in Canada this season. Good on him.
• The Giants had the players names on the back of the jersey while the Rockets were not afforded the same luxury. If the old school principal applies here, I like it. Until you make the opening day roster, your name won't be on the back of a Rockets uniform.
  

Things that make me go hmm....

• The one veteran that grabbed my eye at training camp this week was Brett Bulmer. Now 19, the Prince George product just dominated when he was around the puck. Unfortunately we just haven't seen the best of him in the first two seasons. My belief is Bulmer will showcase himself like never before in 2011-2012. He scored 18 goals last season. In my opinion he is good enough, when he plays hard, to score 30+. The untapped potential of this player is scary.
  
• Speaking of Bulmer, he reminds me a little bit like Cody Almond. Almond never really found his groove until he was 19. Almond scored 22 goals as an 18 year-old and then let loose with 33 in his final year of junior. Almond scored an impressive 10 times in the playoffs on the way to a WHL title.
• Best 15 year-old at rookie camp? I admit to seeing few on-ice sessions, but Riley Stadel from Surrey is going to be a beauty. Stadel was a third rounder this summer and loves to rush the puck. Smart, quick and he brings it from the blue line. Love it!
  
• Don't get too excited about the Rockets exhibition record. Remember last year? The Rockets were 5 and 1 in pre-season before winning just four times in the first 14 games to start the regular season. Exhibition season is all about evaluation. What I am saying is the record means diddly at the end of the day.
• I know the Rockets get criticised for not releasing the names of the players released by the team during training camp, but does it really matter? At this age lets focus on the players that are here not those that fell short.
  
• When you watch 16 year-old rookie d-man Madison Bowey this season remember that the Rockets traded spots with Prince George to snag Bowey with the first pick in the second round. Brilliant move by GM Bruce Hamilton and Director of Player Personnel Lorne Frey.
• Will Saskatoon Blades GM Lorne Molleken have any sleepless night's when he watches Colton Sissons this season? Projected to be a first round pick, Sissons was a steal in a deal January 10, 2010. Molleken's only saving grace is the Rockets play in a different Conference.
  
• I find it interesting that the majority of teams across the league make a big deal about signing their top bantam draft picks while the Rockets keep that relatively quiet. Just saying.
• Will softer shoulder and elbow pads really make that big of a difference in preventing concussions in the WHL this season? Montreal Canadiens forward Travis Moen doesn't think so. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the only way the number of concussions will ever be reduced.
• I thought Nashville Predators forward Jordon Tootoo said it right this week when he told me that his game is about aggression and if he isn't playing on the edge he isn't earning money at the NHL level. He is playing in the NHL specifically because of the way he plays. Some may call it dirty or borderline, but he knows what it takes to play at the elite level.
  
• Look for WHL referee's to be proactive in calling hits to the head this season. Sounds good in theory, but how many players will learn to embellish by snapping their head back every time contact is made? Referee's have been fooled may times by diving and now head snapping will be another challenge they face.
• How many players will be afraid to make a big hit in fear of taking a penalty? The glass rattling body checks like we witnessed from Shea Weber and Luke Schenn, I'm afraid, are a thing of the past.
  
• Thank goodness the Canadian dollar is strong in comparison to its American counterpart. The Rockets first three road games of the season are in Everett, Tri City and Spokane.
• Just a question. If the Rockets play Friday and Saturday night in Victoria on October 14th and 15th, how fresh are they expected to be when they play in Kamloops on October 16th? With back-to-back games in Victoria, the Rockets must stay the night after Saturday's tilt, take the ferry, then bus to the Interior Savings Centre. Oh perfect, the game starts at 6 pm. Couldn't we make it more difficult for the road team by playing the game at 2:30? Advantage Kamloops!
  

Fresh faces fight for positioning.

Here are the six new faces that remain alive at Rockets camp.

17 year-old's:
Tanner Moar - Canwood Saskatchewan (D) (Was taken in the 7th rd in 2009, 51 players before Rockets veteran d-man Damon Severson.)
Colten Martin - Arlington Texas (D) - Listed
Mark MacDougall - Winfield (D) - Listed

16 year-old's:
Tyson Ballie - Fort Saskatchewan (F) (3rd rounder in 2010 behind Madison Bowey).
Austin Ferguson - Abbotsford (F) (10th rounder in 2010)

*Ryan Donaldson is a draft pick from this summer. Donaldson is a right winger from Langley picked in the 5th rd.

Rockets veteran MIA at main camp.

Missing in action at Kelowna Rockets training camp this week has been 17 year-old forward Jason Siebert. The Abbotsford resident played in only a handful of games last season after breaking a bone in his wrist in November against Spokane. Seibert received another setback this summer when it was learned the scaphoid bone didn't heal properly. The Rockets 1st round pick from the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft will have to undergo another procedure which means he won't rejoin the Rockets until the new year.

Paddock warns junior players to enjoy WHL experience.

Leaving junior hockey and playing pro isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Just ask Cam Paddock.
The Kelowna Rockets alumnus has spent time in the East Coast League, the American Hockey League and with the NHL's St. Louis Blues.
Now he's looking for work after spending last season overseas.
I spoke to Paddock this week after he strolled into Rockets training camp to watch his former team go through the paces.

Where are you playing this season?

"It is a waiting game. Basically I am seeing where is the best option for me. There is about another two or three week window before I start worrying a bit."

You played in Germany last season?

"Germany was great. The hockey side of it wasn't that great for me. It didn't work out exactly as planned but the country was beautiful and my girl friend and I had a great time out there, so it was good".

Will you never play North American hockey again?

"I maybe panicked a bit last year and gave up on the AHL experience. I am not looking it as being relegated at all...I am trying to come back to the American League. That would be great but if I have to go overseas that is alright with me too."

As you watch Rockets training camp, do they look young to you?

"In some ways I'm envious of them. They know exactly what is coming up and they know they are playing junior hockey from 16 to 20 and then you worry about whatever comes after. These guys are bigger and stronger than we were at that age. To be honest, these guys won't say it and Ryan (Huska) or Bruce (Hamilton) won't say it but training camp sucks and we all know that. We (players) just want game one of the regular season to get started and I am sure that's what these guys are looking forward too."

Main wanting to be a pain for opponents this season

I spoke to Kelowna Rockets forward Spencer Main this morning prior to an on ice workout during day two of main camp.
Now in his fourth season, the North Vancouver resident is hoping to provide a calming influence in the dressing room and add some steady play out on the ice.

Question: Spencer, you are heading into your fourth season here in Kelowna. Hasn't time gone by quickly?

"When you think of all the games we have played and all of the good times, it was a long time ago. When I was 16, I was playing with some guys that are now playing in the NHL so it's been a long time here".

Question: What do you remember about your rookie season?

"I came into camp as a 16 year-old like Madison Bowey and Jesse Lees. I was able to practice with the team before, so I knew the guys and my billets were set up. I was really comfortable coming into camp and I thought I preformed well".

Question: Tell me about your summer?

"I took the first two weeks off after the season and just hung out. I had to get a job for the first time this summer, so that was something new to me. I worked at a golf course. It was interesting and fun once it got nice out it was more enjoyable. The first couple of months down in Vancouver were pretty rainy."

Question: I would figure you will play a leadership role with the team this season?

"Being one of the 19 year-old's, besides me and Browny (Adam Brown) and Cally (Mitchell Callahan), we are the only fourth year guys on this team so we have a great opportunity to be a leader on this team."

Question: Would you be interested in the captaincy?

"I know I am going to be one of the leaders no matter if I have a letter on my jersey. I think their are a lot of guys on the team that are like that. We have so many guys that could wear the 'C' or the 'A'. I don't think it matters who wears it. We are all going to be a leadership group".

Kelowna's hockey community hit hard by Belak's death

The death of ex-NHL player Wade Belak has hit the hockey community hard.
Belak was found dead in his hotel Wednesday, just blocks from the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto.
Todd Simpson, Kelowna realtor and former NHL player, was with Belak this week participating in the taping of a new season of CBC's Battle of the Blades which airs in September.
Belak even tweeted this week that he was quote, "hanging out with his long lost brother", in reference to Simpson.
The two were teammates with the Saskatoon Blades during the 1993-94 season.
Calls to Simpson by AM 1150 News were not returned.
Belak was often seen training in Kelowna during the off-season.

They call him 'Johnny'

Kelowna Rockets defenceman MacKenzie Johnston is taking his third season in the Western Hockey League very seriously. It may have something to do with this being his draft year or he may have a better grasp of the commitment it takes to separate himself from the pack. Whatever it is, the Rockets can only benefit from what the Swift Current, Saskatchewan product plans to bring to the ice this season.
Johnston came into Rockets main camp in tremendous shape, and his physical appearance appears to have translated into a better mindset.

"Whether I have a letter or not, I want to be a guy that the younger guys can look up to and an older guys who you can talk to on and off the ice. I really want to be in a top defensive role. I mean I am not going to be putting up numbers like Tyson Barrie was but I want to be a defensive specialist and play against the first lines on other teams".

Did you start coming into your own in the second half of last season?

"Ya, I finally hit my stride for the first time in a year and a half. Even when I was taking hits I was having fun because I was playing and playing well. Something just clicked. I don't know what it was but I will take it and run with it."

Talk about your physical transformation this summer?

"I worked out in Calgary this summer with Stack Conditioning. I was eight weeks there and two weeks here (Kelowna) working with skating coaches and then I spent a little bit of time at home. I am 195 now, so I am pretty happy with that. I feel a lot stronger too which is the biggest thing. There is a difference putting on weight and actually feeling stronger and I feel that strength so I am pretty happy right now."

Main Camp Update

• Let's start the blog posting with some conditioning news. Rockets Athletic Therapist Jeff Thorburn tells me this years group of players were possibly the most well conditioned he's seen in his five plus years at the helm. Thorburn says their were no weak links. When pressed to name a few players that stood out he mentioned Kevin Smith, Brett Bulmer, MacKenzie Johnston and Shane McColgan were just marginally better, but overall, the fitness level of the players 'as a whole' was solid.



• The Tuesday morning scrimmage featured veteran goaltenders Adam Brown and Jordon Cooke facing one another.



• Sixteen year-old defenceman Jesse Lees looks a little bigger than a year ago. I had to look at my roster sheet twice to identify him.



• Speaking of sixteen year-olds, Madison Bowey made some solid outlet passes and was seen numerous times rushing the puck.



• I was a little surprised to see Mitchell Callahan at main camp. Sure he is still eligible to return for his 20 year-old season, but the chances are good he will play pro this season in the Detroit Red Wings organization. I am sure getting in some additional ice time before heading off to camp was the reason he was skating at Prospera Place during the morning session.



• I had a first hand look at European forward Filip Vasko. Vasko showed some good skills and compete in the morning session. He likes to shoot the puck which is an encouraging sign.



• NHL's Shea Weber, Josh Gorges and Travis Moen were seen hanging out at the arena. Moen is in town visiting family, much to the delight of Rockets head scout Lorne Frey. My bet is Frey is enjoying his grandson's visit as much as he is training camp.

Main camp kicks into high octane

Between 55 and 60 players will compete at Kelowna Rockets main camp, which moves into high gear Tuesday with scrimmages and workouts.
Those players are separated into three teams and will do their best to stick around for two home exhibition games this weekend against Vancouver and Victoria.

The Rockets will have five goaltenders at main camp including veterans Adam Brown and Jordon Cooke.
Only three-15 year-old players selected in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft will stick around for main camp. They include Rourke Chartier (1st rd), Austin Glover (2nd rd) and Ryan Donaldson (5th rd).
More from main camp tomorrow when I take in the first scrimmage at 10:45.
What's with the picture to the right? You can read this article that was just published by Okanagan Collections Magazine. Warning! It is a self serving piece.

http://okcollection.com/2011/08/just-playing-around-the-face-behind-the-voice/

The strength and weaknesses heading into main camp

Rookie camp officially came to an end Sunday and now the picture will become clearer this week as to what type of team the Kelowna Rockets will ice this season.
This is what we do know:

• The Rockets have 20 returning players from last years team including 20 year-old's Kevin Smith, Adam Brown and Cody Chikie. Tyson Barrie and Mitchell Callahan are technically on the roster but are expected to play pro hockey this season.

• When I say 20 veteran players, that could technically be reduced to 17 considering rookies Jesse Lees, Madison Bowey and Jason Siebert, despite seeing some playing time last season, will again be considered first year players this season.

• Sixteen year-old Jason Siebert played in just 16 games last season. I've been told that appearing in 20 or more regular season games no longer has you designated as a first year player. Siebert broke his wrist November 22nd against Spokane and never returned.

• Siebert, Lees and Bowey are the only players returning that have failed to score a WHL goal.

• With seven defenceman returning (Lees and Bowey apply here), it appears all seven are safe at making the roster. What is scary is four of the seven d-men have a year or less experience. MacKenzie Johnston, Madison Bowey, Jesse Lees and Damon Severson fall into that category.

• You win because of the strength of your older players and the Rockets have just three 19 year-old returning forwards. Brett Bulmer had 18 goals last season while Spencer Main and Max Adolph combined for just 13 goals between them.

• The strength of this team offensively is clearly in the 18 year-old players, or those born in 1993. Shane McColgan, Zach Franko, Colton Sissons and Jesse Astles make up this group. Those four players combined for 90 goals and 166 points.

• It doesn't take a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that the strength is in goal. Adam Brown's return means the Rockets have arguably the best 20 year-old goaltender, if not the best goaltender in the Western Conference if not the league. Jordon Cooke is a solid insurance policy.

Huska applauds steps on concussions

Kelowna Rockets head coach Ryan Huska is pleased the Western Hockey League is taking pro-active measures to eliminate concussions.

Three members of the Saskatoon Blades will wear small sensors on the back of their helmets in pre-season games to measure the impact the head takes during a game.

"The more information we can gain on the type of hits and how many hits the head may take over the course of a game will help. Everybody is trying to find a way to eliminate head shots or reduce dangerous hits and if they have a better idea of an exact number or a pretty good average of the number of times players get hit in the head it will help with prevention plans."

The sensors measure when the player got hit, how hard and in which way the head was jarred.

The WHL will follow the NHL's lead by going to softer shoulder and elbow pads.