Kelowna Rockets Commencing Memorial Cup Campaign

[Larry Fisher]

The Kelowna Rockets open training camp this weekend for one of the most important seasons in franchise history as hosts of the 2020 Memorial Cup tournament. Bruce Hamilton, their general manager, shared some of his thoughts on the current roster and the campaign to come: https://thehockeywriters.com/kelowna-rockets-commencing-memorial-cup-campaign/

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[Juniorhockeyguru]

At this point, not a whole lot to be optimistic about. The Rockets should be rebuilding this season. They got given the tournament on their down cycle FINALLY.

 

[Larry Fisher]

At this point, not a whole lot to be optimistic about. The Rockets should be rebuilding this season. They got given the tournament on their down cycle FINALLY.

That is true, to an extent. Nolan Foote and Dillon Hamaliuk will both be 19-year-old high draft picks. Kaedan Korczak is an 18-year-old high pick who already logged a ton of ice-time in his draft year. Jake Lee and Roman Basran were on the 2019 scouting radar, just as Kyle Topping and Sean Comrie were in 2018. Those four easily could have been drafted. Leif Mattson and Liam Kindree should be productive top-six forwards. Losing Thomson is a big blow, assuming he's not back, but that would be lessened by landing both Novak and Gutik (both question marks as of today). Ethan Ernst and Cayde Augustine should both take significant steps in their NHL draft year and Trevor Wong should be an impactful rookie. Expect notable progression from Mark Liwiski, Alex Swetlikoff and Kyle Crosbie too. Perhaps Michael Farren, Dallon Wilton, Devin Steffler and James Porter can also improve as the other veterans/returnees.

I assure you it's not as "bad" as it looks on paper with "only" three drafted players on a Memorial Cup host team. There is more pro-calibre talent than those three (or four if still counting Thomson). They will have to prove it, obviously. The players that don't step up or take a step in the first half of the season will likely be upgraded before the Jan. 10 trade deadline. Kelowna will definitely be moving their 2020 first-round bantam draft pick for one ringer and will probably find a way to add a couple more too. The Rockets also have an open overager spot to fill, with sights on another impact player to join Topping and Mattson. Long story short, the team today won't be the team come May, but it's looking like an uphill battle and a strong start to the season would go a long way for Kelowna.

 

[Larry Fisher]

Here is my training camp preview for the Kelowna Rockets with a look at how the roster is shaping up and what to watch for: https://thehockeywriters.com/kelowna-rockets-training-camp-preview/

 

[Larry Fisher]

It's a running joke that more info leaks out of Area 51 than Kelowna Rockets training camp but, for those interested, here is a wide-ranging camp update ahead of the Rockets' preseason opener, including first impressions on several new faces: https://thehockeywriters.com/kelowna-rockets-training-camp-update/

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I think Kelowna has the least problem with rebuilding, they're one of few teams that often gets future NHLers to commit to them.

 

[RonTugnutt]

I think Kelowna has the least problem with rebuilding, they're one of few teams that often gets future NHLers to commit to them.

Most people know that. Jealous fans of other teams keep trying to announce a Rockets rebuild but they are always competitive and will be playing until late May unlike most other teams.

 

[Juniorhockeyguru]

Yes we are aware the Rockets are a consisten franchise. But make no mistake, they'd be rebuilding if they weren't hosting the Memorial Cup.

For a "contender", they have a lot of work to do. Goaltending is meh, forward depth isn't there. The defence besides Lee, Korczak, and possibly Comrie, not looking the most menacing.

 

[Larry Fisher]

Here’s the latest from Kelowna Rockets training camp, recapping last weekend’s preseason games and previewing what’s to come: https://thehockeywriters.com/kelowna-rockets-preseason-update-opening-weekend/

 

[Larry Fisher]

The Kelowna Rockets settled for another split on the second weekend of the WHL preseason but finished on a high note after an offensive explosion against the Prince George Cougars. Here’s my recap highlighting a couple of the standout performances: https://thehockeywriters.com/kelowna-rockets-preseason-update-week-two/