Kindree, Korczak, and Porter to practice with the Rockets for the remainder of the season
As the Kelowna Rockets prepare for the start of the 2017 WHL Playoffs, midget level hockey teams playoffs are coming to a close.
With the end of minor hockey for another year, WHL teams often bring prospects up and place them on their roster to help them adjust and improve in a WHL practice setting.
This year the Rockets are no different as they now have three prospects up with the club.
Forward Liam Kindree, who played this season for the Vancouver NW Giants of the BC Major Midget League lost in the semi-final to the Cariboo Cougars. Kindree recorded a whopping 28 goals and 39 assists for 67 points in 40 games played this season for the Giants. The 17-year-old from North Vancouver was the Rockets fourth round pick, 87th overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam draft.
Defenceman Kaeden Korczak, 16, who played this season with the Yorkton Maulers of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League just finished his season after his team lost in the semi-finals. Korczak had a strong season recording 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 42 regular season games with the Maulers this year. The Yorkton, Saskatchewan native was the Rockets first round pick 11th overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam draft.
Goaltender James Porter, 16, who played this season for the Edge School for Athletes of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League won the championship last week. Porter had a solid record of 11-3-0 with the Edge this season, while recording a 1.79 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in 16 starts. Porter who was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho was the Rockets seventh round pick 153rd overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam draft.
Head Coach Jason Smith says that practicing with the club will do good things for the aspiring Rockets.
“It’s a great opportunity for all three young guys to get experience in practice with our team to grow their games,” Said Smith. “It helps them get up to the pace as well as be ready if we have any injuries in playoffs. They’ll also get to watch playoff hockey at this level and see the energy and intensity.”
The three youngsters will practice with the club as the Rockets continue on their quest for WHL supremacy starting with the Kamloops Blazers on Friday night as they kick off round one in Kelowna.
Tickets are available for Rockets home games through selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by phone at 250-762-5050.
