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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Rookie Camp: Day One

August 21, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets Rookie Camp: Day One
Kelowna Rockets Rookie Camp: Day One
(Kelowna Rockets)

Kelowna Rockets Rookie Camp day one took place on Tuesday at Prospera Place.

A total of 98 players registered to the rookie camp were split up into six different teams. Each team played two one-hour games throughout the day.

After the nerves wore off, the 2002 and 2003-born Rockets hopefuls seemed to relax and become more comfortable with each shift. The pace got faster and more physical as the day wore on. The action-packed day began at 9:00am and ran until 7:10pm.

Rockets Head Coach Jason Smith noticed the improvement throughout the day.

"The young guys have come out and skated and played the game hard. There were some nervous guys early on in the first couple of sessions but I think the pace of play and quality of players out here has been very good," said Smith. "There's always a sense of nervous energy and some guys are a little hesitant off the start but I think a lot of them are experiencing this for the first time or are going through the steps of learning and trying to get better. They have to realize that they've all been put into the same situation here and as they get more comfortable normally the quality of play picks up and the execution level gets better and it's been going that way."

So what does team management, the scouting staff, and the coaching staff look for in these young players coming to rookie camp? Smith says a lot of it has to do with versatility and effort.

"Elite skill is the direction the game is going and you can never go wrong with guys that compete and play a team game," Smith said. "You want guys that are involved and showing the willingness to play the game in lots of different ways. Hockey has really evolved over the last number of years. You can't really be a guy that just specializes in one thing. If you can have a combination of talents that can keep you involved in the game and make you be noticed, you can make an impression when you're out there and you have the chance to succeed."

The rookies will be back on the ice at 9:00am tomorrow morning for day two of camp.

Rookie Camp runs from August 20th - August 24th.

Main Camp runs from August 24th - August 30th, with Rockets preseason beginning on August 31st as they host their divisional rivals, the Victoria Royals at Prospera Place. Puck drop is at 7:05pm.

Tickets are on sale now at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.

For full preseason schedule, click here: http://kelownarockets.com/schedule/265/204

Season tickets are on sale now. Reserve yours and help the Rockets win the bid to host the 2020 Memorial Cup. Rockets Season Ticket holders have the rights to their seats for the 2020 Memorial Cup should Kelowna win the bid. Contact us by email - Gavin Hamilton - gavinh@kelownarockets.com or Andrew Deans - andrewd@kelownarockets.com, or by phone at 250-860-7825 and don't be left in the parking lot.

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Kelowna Rockets Rookie Camp: Day One
Kelowna Rockets Rookie Camp: Day One
   



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