Rockets returnees ready to take the next step following NHL training camps
The Kelowna Rockets will receive a boost to their lineup this weekend when news hit that the team would be adding four key players to the roster, all of which come from National Hockey League training camps.
Rockets two-time Defenceman of the Year, Caden Price (Seattle), reigning Rockets Rookie of the Year Hiroki Gojsic (Nashville), as well as forwards Ethan Neutens (Los Angeles) and Rockets 2023 CHL Import draft pick Jakub Stancl (St. Louis) were all sent back to Kelowna in the last week from their respective camps, with all four expected to make their season debuts this weekend against Victoria and Everett.
“This year was exciting for me because I got to be able to participate,” Price said of his NHL experience in Seattle. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native was taken in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
“Last year I was hurt so I didn’t get to really take part. So it was technically my first really experience at it. It was intense, it was good and it’s obviously the best of the best out there.”
“There’s so many good guys there for sure. But I think one of the biggest things was just how intense and how hard they work in practice. I think like a guy like (Jamie) Oleksiak, he was just really, really good at closing in the defensive zone on guys and (Brandon) Montour too, just how good his offensive instincts are. But there are so many good players there. The entire defensive core is really good so I just tried to take away some little things and how hard their work ethic was.
Neutens was invited to the Kings fall camp as an undrafted player after he had a strong showcase at their summer development camp.
“It was really good,” Neutens said. “It was good to be up there and kind of see the pace of play and how all the pros like kind of like go about their life on a day-to-day basis.”
“It was great opportunity for me. I kind of just wanted to go in there and play my game and impress some people and stay as long as I could. I’m happy with my performance.”
For Neutens too, it was a chance to further instil that belief that he could get drafted this summer and one day play in the NHL.
“When you see it up close firsthand, you’re like ‘I could really do this.’ It seems so farfetched when you’re just a little kid and you have like all these dreams and stuff about being in the NHL. But once you get there, it’s easier to see and easier to believe that it’s achievable.”
Now that Price and Neutens are back in Kelowna, they’re chomping at the bit to get things going with their Rockets teammates.
“I’m pumped,” Price said. “I’m pumped to be back with all the boys here. I was only here for a little bit before during training camp and stuff so it’s good to be back. I’m looking forward to Friday and getting it going.”
“I’m really excited to get going,” Neutens said. “I don’t want to miss another beat with the guys in the dressing room and I think we have a really good group this year. Definitely looking forward to seeing what this season brings and seeing what we can do on the ice.”
Ethan Neutens returns to Kelowna following fall camp with the Los Angeles Kings as an undrafted player
Not only is Price excited to be back in Kelowna, the 19-year-old defenceman thinks the Rockets have a strong group this season, one that can build off of last season where the group went to the second round of the WHL Playoffs.
“I think we’ve got a good mix of everybody, young guys, older guys and we’ve got a lot of skill,” Price said. “We’ve got some guys that are heavy and hard to play against and guys that are super quick and mobile. So I think we’ve just got to keep practicing and get familiar with each other. As time goes on, I think we’re just going to get better and hopefully we hit a good stride at the right time and have a good push towards the playoffs.”
Will that feeling of losing in playoffs be a point of motivation for this season?
“For sure. You remember that feeling of losing out there. I still remember it. You don’t forget that type of feeling,” Price said. “It means the world to us and we’re going to work our way up to hopefully get past that and hopefully not have that feeling again. But it starts now and we want to win games early and get on the right track. But the sky’s the limit for this group so I’m excited.”
The Rockets will host the Victoria Royals at Prospera Place on Friday, September 27 with puck drop going at 7:05 PM.
Tickets can be purchased online at selectyourtickets.com, by calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday home game days.
