Preview: Rockets set to open season with pair of weekend games
The Rockets will open their shortened 2020-21 season tomorrow night when they host the Victoria Royals on Friday, March 26 at 7:05 p.m. PT.
Last year the Rockets ended their season unexpectedly with a 3-2 loss to the Royals at Prospera Place on March 11, 2020.
As previously announced, the WHL’s B.C Division will play all 2020-21 Regular Season games exclusively within the RE/MAX Hub Centres located in Kamloops and Kelowna. The RE/MAX Cup presented to the B.C. Division Champions at the conclusion of the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season.
The B.C. Division will be comprised of five teams: the Kamloops Blazers, the Kelowna Rockets, the Prince George Cougars, the Vancouver Giants, and the Victoria Royals. Each team will play a 24-game schedule in the RE/MAX Hub Centres, beginning Friday, March 26.
Both Kelowna and Victoria will call Prospera Place home this season. Kamloops, Prince George and Vancouver are based out of the Sandman Centre in Kamloops.
The Rockets will have Saturday off before hitting the ice again on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. in Kamloops against the Vancouver Giants.
Get to know the Rockets roster and how it was built by clicking here
Watch online and listen on AM1150
As the WHL returns to play, no spectators will be permitted to enter Sandman Centre or Prospera Place.
WHL fans can look forward to taking in games across the whole league through the newly-launched WHL Live on CHL TV. More are details available by visiting watch.CHL.ca.
Opening weekend in the RE/MAX Hub Centres features all five teams in action. All opening weekend games will be available for freeview on WHL Live on CHL TV.
Friday, March 26
Vancouver Giants at Kamloops Blazers – 7 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. MT
Victoria Royals at Kelowna Rockets – 7:05 p.m. PT / 8:05 p.m. MT
Saturday, March 27
Kamloops Blazers at Prince George Cougars – 7 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. MT
Sunday, March 28
Kelowna Rockets at Vancouver Giants – 6 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. MT
All games will be available on the radio as well on AM1150.
Online 50/50
The Kelowna Rockets online 50/50 is back for the 2020-21 season for all home games.
The online 50/50 will give fans in Rockets fans located in British Columbia with the chance to win during every Rockets home game this season. The 50/50 will also raise important dollars for the Kelowna Minor Hockey Association and the Rockets Education Fund.
Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. PT Friday morning. To learn more about the online 50/50 please click here.
TRUE Hockey Game Day Guide and Projected Lineup
The TRUE Hockey Game Day Media Guide will be available with team notes, stats and rosters for all home games.
The Rockets will post the JDS Mining Projected Lineup complete with line combos at least a half an hour prior to puck drop for all games this season. You will be able to find the graphic on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram stories.
2019-20 B.C. Division Standings
| # | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS |
| 1 | XY – Kamloops Blazers | 63 | 41 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 86 |
| 2 | X – Victoria Royals | 64 | 32 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 72 |
| 3 | X – Vancouver Giants | 62 | 32 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 70 |
| 4 | X– Kelowna Rockets | 63 | 29 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 64 |
| 5 | Prince George Cougars | 62 | 20 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 48 |
x = clinched playoff spot, y = clinched division
2019-2020 record vs Victoria Royals: 3-4-0-1
Oct. 29, 2019: KEL 3 at VIC 4 SO
Oct. 30, 2019: KEL 1 at VIC 0
Nov. 6, 2019: VIC 6 at KEL 3
Nov. 20, 2019: VIC 1 at KEL 4
Jan. 3, 2020: VIC 2 at KEL 1
Jan. 8, 2020: VIC 1 at KEL 0
Feb. 21, 2020: KEL 3 at VIC 2
Feb. 22, 2020: KEL 3 at VIC 4 SO
Mar. 11, 2020: VIC 3 at KEL 2
2019-2020 record vs Vancouver Giants: 2-4-0-0
Sept. 29, 2019: KEL 0 at VAN 4
Dec. 18, 2019: VAN 4 at KEL 3
Dec. 28, 2019: KEL 2 at VAN 6
Jan. 4, 2020: VAN 2 at KEL 3 SO
Jan. 25, 2020: KEL 3 at VAN 2 OT
Jan. 26, 2020: VAN 3 at KEL 1
Mar. 20, 2020: KEL at VAN cancelled
Mar. 21, 2020: VAN at KEL cancelled
Players to watch*:
*These players are not guaranteed to be in the lineup for the games
Kelowna
- In January, Dillon Hamaliuk joined the Sharks AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, for the start of their season. He did not appear in any games for the Barracuda and was returned to the Rockets after the announcement of the BC Division receiving approval. The signed Sharks prospect ended last year strong with the Rockets, putting up 13 points (6G, 7A) ith the final ten games of the season.
- Kaedan Korczak is one point shy of 200 WHL points. In what will likely be his final season in the WHL, look for the Vegas Golden Knights prospect to improve on his 49 points (11G, 38A) in 60 games from last season.
Victoria
- The Anaheim Ducks 2019 first-round pick Brayden Tracey returns to the Royals for his 19-year-old season. This season he appeared in 12 games with the Ducks AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls
- Goaltender Adam Evanoff rejoins. the Royals following a stint with the American Hockey League’s Stockton Heat on an amateur contract. He did not appear in any games for the Heat but was practising with the team.
Vancouver
- Former Kelowna Rocket Dallon Wilton signed with the Giants following his release from Kelowna. Wilton appeared in 110 WHL regular-season games with the Rockets, posting 13 points (6G, 7A) and 46 penalty minutes.
- Netminder Trent Miner drew rave reviews for his play with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL while he was waiting for the WHL to start. In six games, Miner had a record of 2-3-1 and a goals-against-average of 2.86.
As the WHL returns to play in the WHL Hub Centers in Kamloops and Kelowna, no spectators will be permitted to enter Sandman Centre or Prospera Place.
WHL fans can look forward to taking in games across the whole league through the newly-launched WHL Live on CHL TV. More are details available by visiting watch.CHL.ca.
