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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Former Rockets - Where Are They Now?

February 5, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


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. Merkley has played 29 games this season with the Roadrunners scoring 18 goals and recording 17 assists for 35 points.

The native of Calgary, AB recently took part in the AHL All-Star game recording 2 goals and 5 assists in 4 mini games.

Merkley made his NHL debut with the Arizona Coyotes on December 19, 2017.

The Right Winger played for the Rockets for four seasons from 2013-2017. He helped the Rockets win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2015. He was an Assistant Captain during the 2016-2017 season.

In 245 games played in Kelowna, Merkley notched 85 goals and 174 assists for 259 points. He had a +84 /- rating, and he had 242 penalty minutes. He also 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 in the 2015 Memorial Cup.

Calvin Thurkauf

Calvin Thurkauf is currently playing for the Cleveland Monsters (Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate) in the AHL. He's played 44 games this season for the Cleveland Monsters scoring five goals and five assists for 10 points.

The native of Switzerland played two seasons with the Rockets from 2015-2017. Thurkauf was chosen in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft 185th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In his time with Kelowna Thurkauf recorded 51 goals and 64 assists for 115 points in 121 games played. He had a +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(Washington Capitals affiliate) in the AHL.

This season Johansen has played 47 games, scoring 5 goals and 13 assists for 18 points.

He played three seasons with the Kelowna Rockets from 2014-2017 helping them win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2015. He was an Assistant Captain in his last season with the Rockets. He was chosen in the 2016 NHL draft in the first round 28th overall by the Washington Capitals.

In 202 games played with Kelowna, he recorded 17 goals and 81 assists for 98 points, as well as a +54 +/- rating and 75 penalty minutes. Johansen added 3 goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 54 post season games with the Rockets.

Devante Stephens

Devante Stephens is currently playing in the ECHL for the Cincinnati Cyclones. The defenceman has played 31 games this season recording 8 assists thus far in his rookie season.

Stephens played for the Rockets for three seasons from 2014-2017. In 2015 he helped Kelowna win an Ed Chynoweth Cup title. He was drafted in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round, 122 overall.

During his time with Kelowna he recorded 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 203 games, and added 166 penalty minutes and a +56 +/- rating. Stephens added 12 assists in 52 playoff games with Kelowna.

Reid Gardiner

Reid Gardiner, the older brother to current Rockets forward Erik Gardiner, is currently playing in the ECHL for the Wheeling Nailers. So far this season Gardiner has racked up 26 goals and 18 assists for 44 points in 42 games this season. Gardiner was recently recalled to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL.

He played one season with the Rockets from 2016-17 after being acquired as an overage player at the trade deadline from the Prince Albert Raiders.

In his short time in the Okanagan he made a big impact, scoring 18 goals and adding 19 assists for 37 points in 28 games. He also added 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 of the CIS. Southam has played a total of 27 games this season recording 7 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 from the 2014 season - 2017 sesaon. He served as the Captain of the Rockets from 2015-2017. Southam helped the Rockets win the Ed Chynoweth cup in 2015.

In 184 games in Kelowna Southam notched 34 goals and 53 assists for 87 points. He added 276 penalty minutes and a +31 +/- rating. The leader also added 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points in 52 playoff games.

Michael Herringer

Michael Herringer is currently playing for the University of Regina in the CIS. Herringer has played 19 games this season with Regina recording 3 wins, and 14 losses. So far he has an .859 save percentage and a 5.18 GAA.

Herringer played for three seasons in Kelowna for the Rockets from 2014-2017, playing in 113 games and recording 70 wins. He helped the Rockets win the 2015 Ed Chynoweth Cup. Herringer had a career .904 save percentage and a 2.88 GAA.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2018


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