News from Kelowna Rockets!
June 4, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
Rockets Alumni Weekend The Kelowna Rockets, Daily Courier and the Scotiabank Group present the Rockets Alumni Weekend July 2-5.
The Rockets will host their 9th Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday July 2 at the beautiful Harvest Golf Course. The tournament is a shot gun start at 1:00 pm. Your registration includes 18 holes of golf with a player, power cart, a half way beer and sandwich, a steak and salmon dinner plus a chance at some wonderful prizes. Only 144 exclusive spots at a cost of $185.00 per golfer.
On Sunday July 5, the Rockets will host their 8th Annual Alumni hockey game at the Capital News Centre. Doors for the game open at 4:30 pm with the drop of the puck at 5:30 pm. Fans have a chance to bid on the player's jerseys and get them signed in a post game autograph session. Only 750 exclusive seats. Cost is $10 for adults, kids under 12 are $5.00. Tickets will be available as of June 15 at the Rockets office.
For more information on the Alumni Weekend contact Anne-Marie Hamilton at 250-979-0853 or email annyh@kelownarockets.com. Rockets Review The 2008-2009 Kelowna Rockets season was simply devine. For the fourth time in the last seven years the Rockets found themselves in the Mastercard Memorial Cup. The Rockets finished the regular season in third place in the very competitive Western Conference. With 98 points the Rockets finished three points up on the defending Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs and just three points behind the Tri-City Americans who they would eventually face in the second round of the WHL Playoffs.
The Rockets offense was one of the most potent in the Conference scoring the second most goals with 257. Colin Long for the second consecutive year led the Rockets in scoring with 91 points.
The defense was just as good allowing the third fewest goals in the Conference; 178. Rookie goaltender Adam Brown had the second best goals against average of 2.02, behind only Dusin Tokarski of Spokane.
The Rockets were lights out at home with 28 wins. Only Vancouver, Calgary and Tri City had more home wins. Oddly enough the Rockets beat all three of those teams in the 2009 WHL Playoffs.
For the third time in franchise history the Rockets played in the Western Hockey League final. In 2003 the Rockets beat Red Deer in six games. Then in 2005 eliminated Brandon in five. In 2009 the Rockets won the Ed Chynoweth Cup on HOME ice after beating Calgary in six exciting games.
The Rockets named Jamie Benn the Most Valuable Player at their Annual Awards Banquet following the regular season. Tyler Myers was named top defenseman and Adam Brown got the nod for Rookie of the Year. Former Rocket Returns To WHL The Moose Jaw Warriors announced that former Rocket head coach Jeff Truitt has been hired as Director of Hockey Operations for the Warriors. Truitt coached the past two years in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons. Prior to his time in the AHL, Truitt spent seven years with the Rockets, three of which as Head Coach winning a WHL title in 2005. He also spent time with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
"I am very excited and thankful for this opportunity. I am looking forward to working with the Warriors and being a part of both the organization and community," stated Truitt. "I was born in Moose Jaw and have family ties in the area. It feels great to be back," added Truitt.
Truitt was 113-76-12-15 as the Rockets head coach. He won a Western Hockey League title in 2005 defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings in five games.
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