Rockets to Honour McLeod, Keith Saturday Night
Published on February 26, 2016 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release
The Kelowna Rockets will honour two of its alumni on Saturday night at Prospera Place as part of the WHL's 50th season celebrations.
Former Rockets captain Gavin McLeod and Chicago Blackhawks star Duncan Keith will be recognized with WHL Achievement Awards on Saturday night when the Rockets host the Spokane Chiefs.
The WHL Alumni Achievement Award is presented in two categories. The professional hockey category recognizes those graduates who have had a distinguished professional hockey career. The other Alumni Achievement Award category recognizes WHL graduates who have experienced a highly successful business career through support received from the WHL Scholarship program as student athletes.
During his professional career, Keith, who helped the Rockets to the 2003 Memorial Cup tournament, has become one of the most decorated players in NHL history, winning three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, two Norris trophies as well as the Conn Smythe trophy as the playoff MVP during an 11-year and counting NHL career.
McLeod played 321 regular season and 24 playoff games over five years with the Rockets between 1996-97 and 2000-01 when he captained the team to its first championship banner, winning the WHL West Division.
McLeod went on to five years at the University of Alberta on the WHL Scholarship and has built a successful career in Edmonton, now as the Vice President of Finance and Operations for Entrec, a company based in Edmonton and with operations around North America.
"I had a great relationship with the Hamilton family and was very grateful for the education package that was provided," said McLeod. "I had the full-ride for all my years at the University of Alberta covered by the Rockets and the ability to finish up school without any debt is a huge leg up. My last year I was the captain in Kelowna and we had some younger players like Josh Gorges that went on to lead the team to the Memorial Cup a few years later."
Previous recipients of these WHL Alumni Achievement Awards include former NHL and WHL greats, Lanny McDonald, Trevor Linden, Bob Clarke and many outstanding university graduates.
McLeod will be in attendance at the Rockets game, while Keith will not be able to attend as the NHL season is ongoing.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2016
- Royals Trump Hitmen - Victoria Royals
- Royals victorious over Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Ice Ice Baby - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hawks Gain a Point in the Standings; Fall 4-3 in OT in Red Deer - Portland Winterhawks
- Rylan Parenteau makes 41 saves as Prince Albert clinches playoff spot - Prince Albert Raiders
- Pats lose to Raiders - Regina Pats
- McRae's Mad Mondays Return February 29th - Victoria Royals
- Cougars Hosting First Ever Awards Banquet and Brunch on March 20th - Prince George Cougars
- Game 62: February 26 vs. Swift Current - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Tigers Lids for Kids Event Returns - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Day: Blazers End Road Swing in Everett - Kamloops Blazers
- Blazers Offer Jerseys off Their Backs on Fan Appreciation Night - Kamloops Blazers
- Rockets to Honour McLeod, Keith Saturday Night - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Notes: Broncos Welcome Tigers...And Puppies and Kittens - Swift Current Broncos
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, February 26 vs Victoria - Calgary Hitmen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
