Brett Calhoon: On the other side of the rivalry
Brett Calhoon‘s year wrapped up with a bang, the 2005-born forward capped off 2023 by learning that he was being dealt to Kelowna on the morning of New Year’s Eve.
The 6’1, 170-pound forward was acquired along with a 2024 third-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for 2005-born forward Marcus Pacheco.
“I woke up Sunday and our off day and I got a call to come into the rink,” said Calhoon about how he found out about the trade in an interview with kelownarockets.com post-practice on Tuesday. “It was pretty hard saying goodbye to all of the fellas, but I’m very happy to be here and a part of the Rockets.”
Calhoon, who turns 19 on January 10, is well versed with Kelowna as the product of Kamloops grew up cheering for the Rockets biggest rival.
“My elite prospects page is wrong, it says I’m from Oliver, but I was born in Kamloops. I lived in Oliver for a while when I was little, but I grew up in Kamloops.
“My uncle has Blazers season tickets and I was pretty much at every game. I was a die-hard Blazers fan, I guess I’m a die-hard fan of the rival now. It’s a little weird being on the other side, but I’ve been in this building a lot watching while I was growing up so I’m pretty familiar with the town and the city.”
He’ll have the first opportunity to face his childhood favourite team on January 26 when the Blazers visit Propsera Place.
First up though will be making his debut with the Rockets this weekend. He said that he’s excited to join a team where his style of play will be suited well.
“The Rockets are definitely more physical, Medicine Hat is a small, fast team. A lot of my game is the bigger more physical side of it, so it’s exciting for me to be coming to Kelowna to play. I’m a big guy, I’m not afraid to use my body and I like to forecheck. I’m not really scared of much.”
A rookie in the Western Hockey League this season, Calhoon has been steadily finding his footing. The 2020 ninth-round pick has recorded seven points (2G, 5A) through 29 games, with one of those goals coming in his final game as Tiger on January 30.
“I think just getting comfortable is the biggest thing. In the early days, it’s a lot of nerves and stuff, just losing those nerves really brings out a player. I think once I get situated here it will be good.”
Regardless of how long that adjustment stage takes, Calhoon knows that he’ll hit the ice with the same intensity that he always does.
“I don’t really have any individual stats goals, just making sure that the coaches and team know they’re going to have the best version of me every single night, that’s my goal. Contributing to the team and giving them everything I have.”
The Rockets will be back in action on Friday, January 5 when the Edmonton Oil Kings visit Prospera Place. Tickets are on sale online at online at selectyourtickets.com, by phone at 250-762-5050 or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office.
