Former Kelowna Rockets — where are they now?
Seven of the Kelowna Rockets’ graduating players from last season are impressing in the professional and post-secondary ranks this season. This “where are they now” column tracks their progress as rookie pros and student-athletes.
Nick Merkley
Nick Merkley is currently playing for the Tucson Roadrunners, the Arizona Coyotes’ AHL affiliate club. Merkley was selected in the first round, 30th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Coyotes. He has played 29 games this season with the Roadrunners, scoring 18 goals and recording 17 assists for 35 points.
The native of Calgary recently took part in the AHL All-Star showcase, where Merkley tallied two goals and five assists in four mini 3-on-3 games.
Merkley made his NHL debut with the Coyotes on Dec. 19, 2017.
The right-winger played for the Rockets for four seasons from 2013-2017. He helped Kelowna win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2015 and served as an assistant captain during the 2016-2017 season.
In 245 regular-season games played for Kelowna, Merkley racked up 85 goals and 174 assists for 259 points. He also had a plus-84 rating and 242 penalty minutes.
Merkley added 15 goals and 51 assists for 66 points in 57 playoff games, as well as three goals and two assists for five points in five games at the 2015 Memorial Cup tournament in Quebec City.
Calvin Thurkauf
Calvin Thurkauf is currently playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s played 44 games this season for the Monsters, scoring five goals and five assists for 10 points.
An import forward from Switzerland, Thurkauf played two seasons with the Rockets from 2015-2017. He was chosen by Columbus in the 2016 NHL draft, 185th overall in the seventh round.
In his time with Kelowna, Thurkauf netted 51 goals and 64 assists for 115 points in 121 regular-season games. He had a plus-53 rating and 141 penalty minutes.
Thurkauf added 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 35 post-season contests.
Lucas Johansen
Lucas Johansen is currently playing for the Hershey Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals. Johansen has played 47 games this season, scoring five goals and 13 assists for 18 points.
He played three seasons with the Rockets from 2014-2017, winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2015 and serving as an assistant captain in his last season with the Rockets.
Johansen was selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL draft, 28th overall by the Washington Capitals.
In 202 regular-season games for Kelowna, Johansen recorded 17 goals and 81 assists for 98 points, with a plus-54 rating and 75 penalty minutes.
Johansen added three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 54 post-season games.
Devante Stephens
Devante Stephens is currently playing in the ECHL for the Cincinnati Cyclones. The defenceman has played 31 games this season, recording eight assists.
Stephens played for the Rockets for three seasons from 2014-2017 and was a member of the 2015 championship team.
The Sabres selected Stephens in the fifth round, 122 overall in the 2015 NHL draft.
During his time with Kelowna, Stephens recorded 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 203 regular-season games, with a plus-56 rating and 166 penalty minutes. He added 12 assists in 52 playoff games.
Reid Gardiner
Reid Gardiner, the older brother to current Rockets forward Erik Gardiner, had been playing in the ECHL for the Wheeling Nailers but was recently recalled to the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
So far this season Gardiner has racked up 26 goals and 18 assists for 44 points in 42 games.
Reid Gardiner joined the Rockets at last year’s trade deadline, acquired from the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for a first-round WHL bantam draft pick. He returned to junior from Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton as a ringer for Kelowna.
In his short time in the Okanagan, as an over-age player, Reid Gardiner made a big impact — netting 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points in 28 regular-season games, before adding a whopping 15 goals and 13 assists for 28 points in 17 post-season games.
Rodney Southam
Rodney Southam is currently playing for the University of Acadia Axemen (U Sports) in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He has played 27 games this season, recording seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points.
Southam was acquired by the Rockets during the 2014-15 season from the Tri-City Americans and played here through the 2016-17 season.
Southam served as captain of the Rockets from 2015-2017 and helped them win the 2015 WHL title.
In 184 regular-season games for Kelowna, Southam notched 34 goals and 53 assists for 87 points. He added 276 penalty minutes and a plus-31 rating.
Southam also had nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 52 playoff games.
Michael Herringer
Michael Herringer is currently playing for the University of Regina Cougars (U Sports). Herringer, a goaltender, has played 19 games this season, recording three wins and 14 losses with an .859 save percentage and a 5.18 goalsagainst average.
Herringer played three seasons for the Rockets from 2014-2017, recording 70 wins over 113 appearances. He had a career .904 save percentage and a 2.88 GAA, and was also part of that 2015 championship team.
The Rockets (32-16-3-1) next host the Vancouver Giants (28-16-5-3) on Wednesday, 7 p.m. at Prospera Place.