- Kelowna Rockets Season Thread!!

2003 WHL champs lost in the semi finals of memorial cup, only to turn around and win the 2004 memorial cup, shattering every defensive record in the memorial cup history. Follow the team in this rebuilding? ( maybe, maybe not ) year. Post comments on whos hot?, whos not?, who needs to go?, who we should pick up?, rivalrys?, predictions?. It all goes. Fans from all teams lets hear your opinions!! :yo:

What do you think of the prospect of Weber compared to Slovak? or Gorges? ... Do you think Kris Westblom is going to be the prospect it looks like?...

Westblom is going to be interesting to watch develop. I don't expect much of him, just let him play his games and see where it takes him. It is way to early to even start giving him a scouting report as we have only seen him twice now.

Weber is going to be a good good NHL'er thats a promise. Better then Slovak and the only thing he has on Gorges is about 2 or 3 inches.

Weber is the best player of the three. He's tougher than Gorges, and Slovak. He can score right up there with them. He's a natural leader. He's by far my fav. Rocket.

ALso does Westblom perhaps become The next Kelly Guard?

ANd another thing, the offense appears to be coming alive again :jump: (after a season long hibernation)

Bodie is the most improved player on the team.

yeah weber is definately my favorite as well. Bodie has really impressed me big time..l actually just finished putting some good words in about him to the oilers prospect page. and westblom has the same poise and patience as guard... he is as calm as can be in the net... although early... i think he may have some good things in his future...

note: Justin keller came back to his old ways tonight scoring 2 goals. Blake comeau made a nice move after being awarded a penalty shot and capitalized.... 5 straight wins... i predict kelowna getting 43 wins this season... and i call the BC division as follows.

BC DIV

1. Kelowna - 43 wins
2. Vancouver - 40 wins
3. kootenay - 36 wins
4. kamloops 34 wins
5. Prince George - 30 wins

Kelowna top points

1. justin Keller - 65-70pts
2. Tyler Mosienko -65 points
3. Troy bodie/ tyler spurgeon - 55 points
4. blake comeau 50 points
5. shea weber - 48 points

who do you think the rockets should trade as of right now? if anyone... im curious as to your opinions... i personally cannot stand watching reinholt... ive never been a huge deschamps fan either... and deschamps is DEFINATELY not a worthy 20 year old for kelowna... there are far better 20 year olds in the league that will become available...

who do you think the rockets should trade as of right now? if anyone... im curious as to your opinions... i personally cannot stand watching reinholt... ive never been a huge deschamps fan either... and deschamps is DEFINATELY not a worthy 20 year old for kelowna... there are far better 20 year olds in the league that will become available...
Reinholt is still 17 yr old give him time, he has to improve his skating.

Deschamps knows the Rocket defense verywell and unless some other 20yr old gets released that is very good, you had better get use to seing him.

Right now Yeomans and Weestblom are handling the dutys, wait and see.

Weber will be better than Slovak and Gorges, might even be better than the two already.

Well, Weber looks like he has a hot start! Got his 3rd goal yesterday and now has 9 points in 8 games (tied for first on the team).

Damn, what happened tonight? 4-0 to Seattle? (I was at the Hitmen game and missed the radio broadcast.) The lack of scoring is really starting to worry me.

The lack of scoring is really starting to worry me.


So is the lack of size. This team gets pushed around everygame. Just play the Rockets hard, hit them hard and play intimidation and they fold..... :banghead:

Damn, what happened tonight? 4-0 to Seattle? (I was at the Hitmen game and missed the radio broadcast.) The lack of scoring is really starting to worry me.

You ran up against a team with a hot goalie and a D that finally played well in front of him. They've had glimpses of greatness but they finally put it together for 60 tonight.

I wouldn't worry about the O because of tonight. We've been doing that to every team. 6 GA in 7 games.

yah that sounds like the rockets from the last couple of years... id like to see how many times kelownas been shutout in the last 3 years... haha... oh well not too concerned.. haha kelownas offence is getting better ... WTF ever happened to tambellini? hamilton trades for his rights and we never even hear a word about it ever again... lame...

You will hear more about him around the new year. The CBA has a lot to do with his choices. He can play in college for the next few years or come to Kelowna for one year and then what???

You will hear more about him around the new year. The CBA has a lot to do with his choices. He can play in college for the next few years or come to Kelowna for one year and then what???

No kidding, I knew he wouldnt come to Ktown, it just did not make any sense. The only thing that did was a Memorial Cup berth, but then what for him? He is not polished enough for the Pro game, and he could play more years in the NCAA ciruit then in the dub. Let's just move on.

Well Kelowna vs. Kootenay tonight I hope kelowna comes out firing like mad men on the team that beat em 2-0 already this year once... im sure cranbrook is a tough place to play but im hoping kelowna can pull up there socks from there dissapointing loss to seattle. Sure would have been nice to have the trade rumour of Ryan Keller to kelowna from last years pre memorial cup trades. ahhhh well.. we need comeau to keep it comin' and we need spurgeon to get his goal scoring touch going too!... ahh well... GO ROCKETS GO!

Yeah it is time for Comeau to snap into it and time for this Darzins character to get crackin...

On another note Michal Blanar didnt even go on the road trip with the team, pretty interesting as he has seen very little ice and apparently came into camp this year in poor shape and overweight. Let's hope they shape him up or ship him out and get a new Euro in to fill that Euro void. NO use wasting a Euro spot on a guy sitting in the stands 35 games of the year.

well after 2 periods vs. Kootenay the 2 guys i was giving a hard time... are 2 of the 3 goal scorers.. Comeau and Spurgeon and Ofukany have scored so far for the Rockets. The lone goal scorer for the ICE so far i Nigel Dawes... well lets see what the 3rd period holds

well kelowna beat kootenay 4-3 tonight in Cranbrook - Brett Palin and Tyler Mosienko the 1st and 3rd stars.

Kelowna point breakdown:

Tyler Mosienko - 1 assist
Justin Keller - 1 assist
Tyler Spurgeon - 1 goal , 1 assist
Troy Bodie - 1 assist
Troy Ofukany - 1 goal
Shea Weber - 1 assist
Blake Comeau - 1 goal
Brett Palin - 1 goal
Brent Howarth - 1 assist

Derek Yeomans made 33 of 36 saves

The game summary says that's Palin's first of the year. I could've sworn he scored in the opener, or did they take that away from him?

Yah that in fact his was the first of the year... and his 4th in his career LOL

that makes an average of.... 1 goal a season!! WOOO... i bet he breaks his average this year and gets 3 goals haha

Good job to Palin for being 1st star. Good guy, good player, knows his role and does it very well.

ohh totally good job by palin! thats awesome... i bet they had a hell of a time choosing between Palin and Mosienko for captain... I thought at the beginning of the year they should have went mosie.. but i guess i dont see behind the scenes and it seems palin is doing his job well!

What do you guys think the rockets must do to make a good playoff run?.... what trades tactics or anything else do you think they need?...

I think Size is the main issue... they need to get some size and they need to play a more aggressive 5 on 5 game... give kelowna the powerplay and they'll score all the time... but 5 on 5 they need some work... but still SIZE is the main issue

well big 4-0 win for kelowna vs tri cities tonight.... i feel bad for these guys... 13 goals scored against them in the last 2 games.... ouch! ahh well good for the rockets... and a nice quality line brawl as well! nice goal by weber and some beautys from Troy Ofukany and justin keller

well big 4-0 win for kelowna vs tri cities tonight.... i feel bad for these guys... 13 goals scored against them in the last 2 games.... ouch! ahh well good for the rockets... and a nice quality line brawl as well! nice goal by weber and some beautys from Troy Ofukany and justin keller

That was no quality line brawl, that was the Ams beating up the Rockets...... Time for a tough guy maybe? Or a couple ? :banghead:

How are Sprugeon and Bodie playing?

Bodie has been a pleasent surprise this year ... he looks improved 10 fold... he has like 11 points i believe in the same amount of games-ish... and spurgeon has really come into his own too... hes going to just get better and better... he works so hard

He has not dressed for the Icecats and may be on his way back to Kelowna. Deschamps would be the odd man out.

He has not dressed for the Icecats and may be on his way back to Kelowna. Deschamps would be the odd man out.

That'd be helpful, it'd add some scoring and toughness up front and probably give Kevin Reinholt a bigger role on D, which should help him develop. But it'd suck for Deschamps - the kid's paid his dues. I doubt he'd have trouble finding an overage job elsewhere in the league, though.

That'd be helpful, it'd add some scoring and toughness up front and probably give Kevin Reinholt a bigger role on D, which should help him develop. But it'd suck for Deschamps - the kid's paid his dues. I doubt he'd have trouble finding an overage job elsewhere in the league, though.

Kinger would be a huge pickup for the Rockets......

King would definately add some toughness that we need forsure... it would be nice to trade for another big tough versatile forward too.... one thing i gotta add...

has anyone seen a harder f'in shot in the league than Shawn Belle... i absolutely couldnt believe his one timer... i honestly looked to see if he blew a hole in the boards... haha

SO are the Rockets a more exciting team than last year to watch? They were kind of...well, boring. Is coach Truitt letting them dangle a bit more and stuff like that? Those who have been to the games let me know.

truitt is letting them dangle a little more... they are a little more exciting... hopefully a little more offensive this year and without guard you never know what the scores gunna be haha

Rockets picked up a goon yesterday... im imagining its because of the long term loss of reinholt to shoulder surgery... last year sylvester had 16 points and 234 penalty minutes in the BCHL.. haha... throw him in there and let him goon him up... finally someone whos not a complete wuss!!

Gary Sylvester and Cole Fetzner.... whats the story on these 2 guys?... Kelowna picked them both up and i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about them... besides that fetzner was in the Q. any chance of them making the team? points in there career? lets hear it

Gary Sylvester and Cole Fetzner.... whats the story on these 2 guys?... Kelowna picked them both up and i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about them... besides that fetzner was in the Q. any chance of them making the team? points in there career? lets hear it

Our paper made them sound like theyre here to fight, at least Fetner forsure. He seemed like a willing fighter so lets hope he does just that this weekend.

After one game each, Sylvester and Fetzner, Sylvester is way better player. Neither could get anyone to fight, but each has two more games to show there stuff!

Fetzner..... :help:

Rockets complete an impressive 3 games in 3 nights where they picked up 5 points, against Kamloops last night. :handclap:

Just an update on how some recent Rocket grads are doing...

Kiel McLeod (Utah, AHL) - 2g, 2a in 12 games. A little better than last year, but still disappointing for the big guy.

Jesse Schultz (Manitoba, AHL) - 0g, 3a in 15 games. From what a guy who works for the Moose tells me, his play has tailed off after a decent start.

Tomas Slovak (Kosice, Slovakia) - 2a in 2 gp. left Hershey, Colorado's farm team, to go back to Slovakia. Anybody know why?

Cam Paddock (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL) - no points in 9 games after starting the season in the ECHL. Can't say we didn't see this coming.

Josh Gorges (Cleveland, AHL) - no points in 16 games. A bit surprising.

Simon Ferguson (Edmonton, AHL) - 1a in 10 gp. Nice to see Simon getting regular time in the AHL.

Duncan Keith (Norfolk, AHL) - 1g, 5a in 17 gp. Going to be in Chicago eventually.

Randall Gelech (Utah, AHL) - 1g, 2a in 12 games. Had a good game against the Moose, doesn't look like he's done much else.

Ryan Cuthbert (Hartford, AHL) - 1a in 8 gp. Cutter worked his way up to the AHL again after starting the season in Charlotte. Ranger fans would love him if he ever made it.

D.J. King (Worcester, AHL) - 2g, 3a in 12 gp. Solid start, looks like he'll have a shot at the NHL sooner or later.

Patrick Valcak (Lincoln, USHL) - 1g, 2a in 4 gp. Well, at least he found a job.

Stephen Sunderman (?) - anybody know where he is? Last spotted with OCN of the Manitoba Junior A league.

Kelly Guard (Charlotte, ECHL) - started in the ECHL, but is 7-0 with a 2.29 GAA and .920 save %. So far, so good. Wonder if he'll get the 'on Guard' thing during the anthem when Victoria's visiting Charlotte?

Thanks for the updates Lard Lad!!!

Sunderman is back in Kelowna going to school I believe and works at the Esso in Rutland.

Hey guys im working on a university paper and i wondering what is Kelownas average attendance and what is a sell-out at their pond.?

Hey guys im working on a university paper and i wondering what is Kelownas average attendance and what is a sell-out at their pond.?
Right now ther average atendance is about 6200. You can't get two tickets together until after christmas. Total sellout at Prospera is 6419, I think?

6507, according to the media guide. 6007 seated, 500 standing.

They let 500 stand at that one end? :dunno:

Thats alot of people LOL.

Maybe that includes the restaurant, too, and people standing in the boxes? Dunno, but I seem to remember seeing 6500+ attendances a few times in the playoffs last year.

Thanks alot guys :handclap:

Good luck this year ;)

Finally got to see the Rockets play live for the first time this season. Not the greatest game, but better than the way they got manhandled when they were here last winter.

Troy Bodie really seems to have grown into that big body. The awkwardness from a couple of seasons ago is almost all gone. That draft gamble the Oilers took on him might pay off.

What's the deal with Gary Sylvester, I thought he was supposed to be a tough guy? Somebody took a shot at Mosienko after the whistle right in front of him and he didn't do a thing in response.

First two periods were the shakiest I've ever seen Brett Palin play, but he pulled it together in the third.

Nice to see Chris Ray wearing the 'A' while Weber's away.

I liked what I saw from Ofukany. Works hard and seems bigger than his listed 6'0, 185.

Is it me, or does Truitt shuffle his lines around a lot more than Habscheid did? Mosienko seemed to be out with different guys every shift.

Finally got to see the Rockets play live for the first time this season. Not the greatest game, but better than the way they got manhandled when they were here last winter.

Troy Bodie really seems to have grown into that big body. The awkwardness from a couple of seasons ago is almost all gone. That draft gamble the Oilers took on him might pay off.

What's the deal with Gary Sylvester, I thought he was supposed to be a tough guy? Somebody took a shot at Mosienko after the whistle right in front of him and he didn't do a thing in response.

First two periods were the shakiest I've ever seen Brett Palin play, but he pulled it together in the third.

Nice to see Chris Ray wearing the 'A' while Weber's away.

I liked what I saw from Ofukany. Works hard and seems bigger than his listed 6'0, 185.

Is it me, or does Truitt shuffle his lines around a lot more than Habscheid did? Mosienko seemed to be out with different guys every shift.
Ofukany is going to be a very goodone, so will Hill, Cuthbert, McRae, Joe, all are coming along very well.

With more icetime Chris Ray has really taken off, so has Howarth.

Bodie was on fire at the beginning, but has cooled off as of late. but he has finally grown into his body and might be a future Oiler or Roadrunner?

Palin has been shaky at times this year, Cumisky and Weber are rushing alot more under Truit's coaching. Habby didn't allow the defense much into the offense.

Kelowna defense is good, but I think they will add one piece before the trade deadline. Look for Hamilton to try and add alittle scoring also.

Time for another ex-Rocket update now that we're at the Christmas break.

Kelly Guard (Charlotte, ECHL) - 11 GP (8-3-0), 3.14 GAA, .894 save %. Numbers have tailed off, but the game stories I've read indicate he's still playing pretty well. Splitting time with journeyman Alex Westlund.

Kiel McLeod (Utah, AHL) - 4g, 4a in 26 games. Way down the depth chart. Not good.

Jesse Schultz (Manitoba, AHL) - 1g, 6a in 22 games. Seems to be playing a little better now, but still, one goal by Christmas isn't great.

Tomas Slovak (Kosice, Slovakia) - 2g, 4a in 12 gp. Looks like both ends of the Soin-Slovak trade will be washouts.

Cam Paddock (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL) - no points in 10 games; going up and down between the ECHL and AHL. Only 3 in 11 in the ECHL. The Pens are pretty well-stocked for centre prospects; combine that with his "work ethic" and I can't see Paddock ever getting to the NHL with them.

Josh Gorges (Cleveland, AHL) - pointless after 27 games. But he's still in the lineup regularly, so his defensive game must be pretty solid.

Simon Ferguson (Greenville, ECHL) - 4g, 1a in 5 gp. Playing well after getting sent down from Edmonton of the AHL. He'll be back at that level.

Duncan Keith (Norfolk, AHL) - 1g, 6a in 30 gp. Slumping badly, only one point in the last month.

Randall Gelech (Utah, AHL) - 5g, 4a in 27 games. Unlike McLeod, seems to be doing well in the Phoenix system. Had a two-goal game a little while ago, and apparently beat the crap out of Paul Brown, too.

Ryan Cuthbert (Charlotte, ECHL) - 3g, 4a in 14 gp. Sent back to the AHL after ten games in Hartford, playing well there.

D.J. King (Worcester, AHL) - 2g, 4am 57 PIM in 24 gp. Slowed down a bit, still not doing too badly for his rookie year, though.

Patrick Valcak (?) - Left Lincoln of the USHL after four games, presumably back in Europe now.

Joni Lindlof (HPK, Finnish Elite League) - no points in 10 games. Still, fairly impressive that he's gotten game time in that league, with the NHL'ers pushing everybody down the depth charts. If there was no lockout, he'd probably be a regular third-liner.

Michal Blanar...oh, wait, he's still with the team, it's just hard to notice most nights. At least one of our Europeans worked out this year.

Great updates, I always love reading these ot see what everyones up to. I like the comments and insight as well. Great work..... As for Blanar :banghead: When will he be released......