2023-24 Season Preview – Kelowna Rockets
There’s real excitement about the youth movement in Kelowna. Already blessed with the speed and skill of Andrew Cristall, the Rockets added a pair of 2024 NHL Draft prospects in Tij Iginla and Hiroki Gojsic during the off-season. Kelowna has speed to burn, and general manager Bruce Hamilton has shaped a core that stands to be in place for years to come. These young Rockets are ready for liftoff when the puck drops on the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season September 22.
Key Returners
Kelowna’s two 2023 NHL draftees will be key cogs in the lineup again this coming season. Forward Andrew Cristall, a second-round pick by the Washington Capitals in June, came close to a 100-point season despite missing 14 regular season games in 2022-23. Caden Price, who was chosen in the third round by the Seattle Kraken at this year’s NHL Draft, plays big minutes alongside veteran Jackson DeSouza on the Rockets blue line. Jari Kykkanen is the lone returnee in goal and is coming off a First Round playoff series last year that saw him post a .924 save percentage in three games versus the eventual WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds.
Who’s In And Out
In addition to Iginla and Gojsic, the Rockets added veteran Michael Cicek to their forward corps in an off-season move with the Spokane Chiefs. Cicek was limited to only 41 games last season but could well thrive offensively in Kelowna with added responsibility. Forwards Carson Golder (31) and Adam Kydd (20) take with them 51 goals from 2022-23 as they graduate from the WHL, but both Iginla and Gojsic were near goal-per-game forwards during their final seasons of U18 hockey in the CSSHL, and both should benefit from having a year of junior hockey under their belts as the 2023-24 season approaches.
NHL Draft Prospects
The Rockets are sure to draw the attention of NHL scouts once again this season with several notable names entering their first year of NHL Draft eligibility. Forward Tij Iginla has found a home in his hometown after a summer move from Seattle, while fellow newcomer Hiroki Gojsic enters his first WHL season after his WHL rights were acquired by Kelowna in the summer. Defenceman Ismail Abougouche has made a name for himself in the Okanagan, too. The Rockets rearguard earned a roster spot and appeared in 50 games last season after being selected in the 12th round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
ROCKETS BY THE NUMBERS (2022-23):
Team Record: 27-37-4-0 (58 points)
Division Ranking: 4th, B.C.
2023 WHL Playoffs: lost First Round (Seattle)
Goals For: 210 (16th)
Goals Against: 256 (18th)
PP (Overall): 22.5% (10th)
PK (Overall): 78.7% (10th)
Leading Scorers: Cristall (39-56-95), Szturc (24-55-79), Golder (31-24-55)
Leading Rookie: Neutens (1-8-9)
NHL Draft: Cristall (WSH – 2023), Price (SEA – 2023)
