Rockets open rookie camp
On-ice sessions for the 2017 Kelowna Rockets Rookie Camp began at 9 a.m. sharp on Tuesday.
Rockets hopefuls suited up and faced off against each other all day and will continue to do so for the rest of the week.
Included in the large group of rookies are the Rockets most recent draft picks. The Rockets first selection in this year’s draft was Ethan Bowen. Kelowna selected Bowen 39th overall in the second round of the bantam draft.
For young guns like Bowen, it’s all about getting your foot-speed back up as quickly as you can.
“There was a little bit of nerves. It just took me a little bit to get my feet into the game, but after that I thought I was fine,” told Bowen. “I wasn’t on the ice as much as I normally would’ve been over the summer because I’ve been in the gym a lot more trying to get stronger and gain weight.”
A native of Chilliwack, Bowen previously played for the Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep. The fivefoot, eleven-inch, 157 pound forward recorded 33 goals and 62 points in just 29 games last season with his bantam prep team. He also added 10 goals and 11 assists in six games during the John Reid Bantam tournament. That’s the kind of play Bowen is looking to build off of coming into this week.
“I just want to show the coaches my skill and I want to show them why they drafted me,” said Bowen. “You always want to leave your best impression so that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Bowen is far from alone in his thought process this week. Rockets 9th round selection, 193rd overall Robert Kincaid was stressing over his first impression.
“I was so nervous coming in this morning, I just really wanted to make a good first impression and I think I did a good job of that, making a good first impression is really important,” Kincaid said. “Now I’m just going to focus on playing my game and playing well and taking in the city and everything while I’m here.” The rookies are right back at it this morning. Kelowna takes the ice as a team for the first time on Sept. 2, when they host the Victoria Royals at Prospera Place at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets are now on sale for all Rockets preseason games.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.