Warriors to develop under Gorges’ guidance
Ex-NHL and Kelowna Rockets’ defenceman Josh Gorges has joined the West Kelowna Warriors as director of player development.
After winning the Memorial Cup as Rockets captain in 2004, the undrafted Gorges went on to play 13 seasons in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.
After retirement, Gorges moved back to Kelowna, where’s he’s been involved with various charity fundraisers.
“We are excited to have Josh on board,” said Warriors coach Simon Ferguson. “He brings 13 years of NHL experience as well as various coaching and development knowledge. He will be working with our players, both on and off the ice, and they will all benefit a lot from the opportunity to learn from a professional of his calibre.”
Gorges said he’s happy to be back in hockey with the B.C. Hockey League team.
“I’m just really excited to be back working in the game of hockey and help bring that championship mentality back to the Warriors
organization,” he said in a news release. “I hope to make an impact here using my experience I have gained playing this game and help develop these young players into professionals and help them develop their skills, but probably more importantly the mental side of the game and hockey IQ.”
WARRIORS BOLSTER LINEUP
An Ivy League hockey player is coming to West Kelowna to get some ice time.
Wyllum Deveaux made the move to the BCHL after the NCAA league announced it will not play this season due to COVID-19.
The Sackville, N.S., native averaged half a point a game in the USHL as a 16-year-old before heading to Harvard.
A couple of Okanagan forwards are also joining the Warriors.
West Kelowna’s own Riley Sharun, 17, racked up 25 goals, 25 assists and 62 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Okanagan Rockets of the BC Major Midget League.
Penticton’s Brennan Nelson also comes from the Rockets, where he accumulated 27 goals, 66 assists and 94 penalty minutes in 80 major midget games.