A letter from Andrew Cristall
Dear Kelowna and the incredible Rockets fans,
Being a Rocket for the past four years has been the experience of a lifetime. Kelowna and the entire Rockets organization will always hold a special place in my heart, and the memories I am leaving with will stay with me forever. From the highs and lows to the friendships and lessons, this journey has shaped me in ways I will cherish for years. Thank you for making these years unforgettable.
To the Hamilton family –
Thank you so much for drafting and believing in me from the start. When I arrived in Kelowna as a 15-year-old during the COVID bubble, you ensured I was cared for and supported until my last day as a Rocket. The Kelowna Rockets are an organization that I wish every junior player could experience. From the rink to the bus and the ongoing support you provide to players – the Rockets are the best. Your family deserves to lift the Memorial Cup next year, and I will be cheering for you and the team.
To my coaches –
Mally, I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity you gave me when I came in at 15. Having the chance to grow, develop, and play right from the start helped shape me into the player and person I am today. Over the years, I’ve matured a lot, and you were always someone I could turn to, whether I needed advice, guidance, or just someone to talk to. You always had my back through the highs and lows, no matter what. Josh MacNevin, Quintin Laing, Derrick Martin, Eli Wilson, and Glenn Carnegie – thank you for all the work you put in with me, helping me improve my skills on the ice, and being there to discuss my game, what I could work on, or just life in general. You all made coming to the rink something I always looked forward to.
To the staff –
I sincerely thank you for everything you do behind the scenes to ensure we’re all taken care of. Scotty, you’ve always been someone I could talk to, whether it was about an injury, something off the ice, or just life. From day one, your positive spirit and presence around the rink made everyone feel like part of the team. Paige, thank you for all the help you provided me with media throughout my career, especially during the draft and the challenging times navigating social media. Your TikToks and videos of me driving the Sports Car are moments that I will never forget. Regan, I appreciate your professionalism and how you promoted every player, especially me. You’ve always had my back and have been a true class act, and your dedication to the team is something I’ll always admire. Tim and Andrew, thank you for always having my gear ready to go, my skates sharpened and for handling the late nights setting up the room. Your work never goes unnoticed. Troy, I appreciate how you’ve always promoted our team in such a positive light. Shane, you’ve been one of the most important parts of the team, always getting us to where we need to go safely. As our team bus driver, you ensure our safety and ease our parents’ worries during long, overnight road trips. To all the rink staff, thank you for always being there for us players, showing up each day with a smile, and helping us out no matter what was happening. You all made a huge difference in our experience, and I’m so grateful for each of you.
To my billet families –
I want to thank Brenda and Wolf for opening up your home to me during the COVID pandemic when I was just 15. You welcomed me with such kindness, care, and understanding. I’ll forever be grateful for how you supported me through that time. Thank you for all the meals, the home-cooked food, and for making sure I could focus on what I love most – playing for the Rockets. Brenda, especially, you took such incredible care of me. I can honestly say you became like a second mom while I was away from home at such a young age. To the Jugnauth family, while our time together was short, I can’t thank you enough for letting me join your home and family. From the delicious meals to the days spent watching sports together or just hanging out around the kitchen table, you made me feel so welcome from the moment I arrived. I’m beyond grateful for both families; my memories with you will stay with me forever.
To the fans and the community –
Thank you all for your unwavering support, no matter how the team or I performed on the ice. Every night, you showed up and gave us your all; I can’t express how much that meant to me. Whether we were going on school visits, participating in community skates, or simply seeing you around the rink, I felt love wherever I went. Moving away at such a young age can be intimidating, but how everyone in this community embraced me made it much easier. Your support has been something really special, and I’ll carry those memories with me forever. Kelowna will always be my second home, and I can guarantee I will be around in the future!
To my teammates –
Lastly, I want to thank my teammates. You’ve all helped me grow so much, both as a person and a player, throughout my time here. From the long workdays at the rink to those tough bag skates, grabbing lunch around the city, and the countless hours of playing cards and having deep talks on the bus, I’ll always cherish these moments. My friendships here will last a lifetime, and I’m proud to have been part of this team. I’ll always cheer for each of you, no matter where life takes us. Thank you for always putting a smile on my face and for letting me be myself. Those memories and laughs will stay with me forever.
Saying goodbye isn’t easy, and this isn’t the end for me – I’ll always be a Rocket. I’m incredibly grateful for everything this organization has given me, and while it’s tough to move on, I’m excited to see what the future holds for the team and the entire organization. You’ll always have my support, and I’ll be cheering you all on from afar.
Once a Rocket, always a Rocket.
Sincerely,
Andrew Cristall
