Rockets open pre-season vs. Victoria tonight
Special to The Okanagan Weekend
The Kelowna Rockets will take their first test run tonight in opening their exhibition schedule by hosting the Victoria Royals in a 7 p.m. puck-drop at Prospera Place.
For some young players, this may be their first game in the WHL. That can be nerve-racking, to say the least.
Rockets head coach Jason Smith says his staff and veteran players are there to ease those nerves.
“Scrimmaging and competing in practice and battle drills allows you to prepare for the pre-season,” Smith said. “I’m sure there will be a lot of nerves and guys feeling things out, but we’ll have a good group of enough veterans playing that can help calm them down and keep them relaxed.
“We’re just going to talk to them about going out and competing and being the player that they are,” Smith added. “They don’t need to try and do too much, play a team game, and everything will go fine for them.”
The veterans know what it’s like coming into the league.
James Hilsendager, who is in the running to be one of the Rockets’ three over-age players after impressing last season following a trade from Regina to Kelowna, echoed his coach with tips for younger players.
“Just play your role. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. You got yourself here for a reason, so keep doing what got you here and keep working,” Hilsendager said. “I’m going to try to lead the younger guys, lead by example, and let them learn from me and other vets. I’m just going to tell them to have fun, relax and enjoy the game.”
The Rockets play another home game on Tuesday, facing the rival Kamloops Blazers at Prospera Place in their second of four pre-season games. That will be the first of five in a row against Kamloops, also hosting the Blazers next Friday before finishing the pre-season in Kamloops next Saturday.
The Rockets and Blazers then open the regular season with a home-and-home set, starting at Prospera Place on Friday, Sept. 22. The return game is Saturday, Sept. 23 in Kamloops.
The Rockets have eliminated the Blazers from the WHL playoffs in each of the past two seasons, winning those first-round series in seven (2016) and six (2017) games, respectively.
Kelowna didn’t face Victoria in the 2017 postseason — the Royals lost to Everett in the first round (in six games) — but the Rockets did knock out the Royals in 2016, winning that second-round matchup in seven games.
Of note, the Royals are no longer coached by former NHL player Dave Lowry, who was hired by the Los Angeles Kings as an assistant coach this off-season. Victoria handed the reins to Dan Price, who worked under Lowry last season.
Tickets are on sale for tonight’s game, as well as all Rockets’ pre-season home games. They are available online through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.