Rockets’prospects reporting for rookie camp on Monday
It’s that time of the year again. The off-season comes to a close and hockey players return to the rinks.
The Kelowna Rockets will be returning to the ice on Monday, as they begin their WHL rookie camp.
Players selected by the Rockets in recent bantam drafts, along with some listed prospects, get the chance to showcase their skills to coaches and management while attempting to earn a spot in main camp.
Rookie camp runs all next week, from Monday through Friday, at Prospera Place.
Returning head coach Jason Smith says rookie camp is all about impressions.
“Rookie camp is a good opportunity for our scouts and our organization to see our younger players and our draft picks from the last couple years come in and get an opportunity to make an impression,” said Smith, who is back for a second season behind Kelowna’s bench, along with the rest of the coaching staff in fourth-year assistants Kris Mallette and Travis Crickard, plus fellow sophomore Adam Brown.
“The guys that are here for their first time get a chance to experience what the Western Hockey League is about, and what coming to a training camp and being evaluated and watched is about,” Smith added. “They’re going to be looking to put in a performance that’s going to grow their game to have success.”
The Rockets’ main camp starts next Friday and runs through the end of the month, culminating on Thursday, Aug. 31. Team selection is done during main camp and carries over into the pre-season.
Returning players need to impress coaches as well, despite already having played for the club.
“For the guys that have been here before, it’s still about making an impression, but it’s also about showing how much growth they’ve made in their game throughout the past season or previous seasons,” Smith said.
The Rockets take the ice for the first time in uniform for their pre-season opener on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Prospera Place, when they host the Victoria Royals.
Tickets for pre-season games go on sale on Monday and are available online through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250762-5050.