Mattson, Topping, and Lee on their way back to Kelowna

The Kelowna Rockets will have a few familiar faces back on the ice this weekend, Kyle Topping, Leif Mattson, and Jake Lee will return to the team after departing for NHL rookie tournaments.

Both Topping and Mattson were both invited by the Carolina Hurricanes as free agents to play for Carolina at the 2019 NHL Prospects Showcase from Sept. 7-10 at Ford Ice Center Antioch in Nashville.

Mattson had one goal during the three-game tournament while Topping stood out with his strong two-way game.

The patent 🍃 spin! https://t.co/hiVbxHVACU

— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) September 7, 2019

Topping lead the Rockets in assists and points last season, he had 23 goals and 46 assists for 69 points in 68 games. Mattson set career highs in assists and points last season while tying for second in team scoring. He had 22 goals and 41 assists in 63 games played.

Lee, also a free agent, was invited by the San Jose Sharks. He attended the Anaheim Rookie Tournament, a four-day tournament September 7-10 in Irvine, CA with teammate and Sharks draft pick Dillon Hamaliuk.

Lee posted a career-best 24 points (3G, 21A) in 67 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds last season. He was acquired along with Hamaliuk and Cole Schwebius from the Thunderbirds on May 2, 2o19 at the WHL Bantam Draft.

Hamaliuk, Nolan Foote (Tampa Bay Lightning), Sean Comrie (Philadelphia Flyers) and Kaedan Korczak (Vegas Golden Knights), have advanced to main camps.

The Rockets are back in action this weekend when they face the Kamloops Blazers in a home and home series to wrap up the preseason. Kelowna will head to Kamloops Friday and then face the Blazers Saturday night at Prospera Place at 7:05pm. Tickets are on sale at selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.