Reinforcements Arrive

r With Jamie Benn and Tyler Myers in Ottawa representing Canada and Stepan Novotny representing the Czech Republic, the Kelowna Rockets had two new faces in their line up Tuesday night in Red Deer. Shane McColgan made his WHL debut and Brett Bulmer played in just his second game.

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r Listen to McColgan and a post game interview with Ryan "2t's" Watters under the "Fanzone" and "On The Launch Pad" link on our website.

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r McColgan (pictured) was the Rockets first round draft pick, 13th overall in the 2008 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

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r This season McColgan is playing with the Los Angeles Junior Kings.  In 24 games he has recorded nine goals, 22 assists for 31 points and 34 penalty minutes.

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r McColgan was born January 1, 1993.  He is a forward from Manhattan Beach, California and was the only US born player to be selected in the first round of this season’s Bantam Draft.

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r Kings head coach Jack Bowkus says; “Shane is a pleasure to coach, he works hard every practice, every shift and every game. He plays his heart out and has the passion to become a pro.  In the last year, he’s really grown up and matured and has really become a heck of a hockey player.”

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r Rockets President/General Manager Bruce Hamilton states, “There was a lot of debate prior to the Draft, if we were willing to take the risk of him not coming to Kelowna.  After Lorne Frey and Ryan Huska met with him at spring camp in California it became very evident that he would be a player that would commit to the Western Hockey League.  So, yes it was a risk, but at the end of the day we have to pick the best player available. Once he is selected it’s up to our staff to convince the player and his family that Kelowna and the WHL is the best place to pursue his hockey and education career. We are thrilled and are looking forward to making his debut with the Kelowna Rockets organization.”

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r Bulmer was the Rockets 11th round selection in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.   The same round in which Captain Colin Long was picked in 2004.

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r This season Bulmer is leading the Cariboo Cougars of the BC Major Midget League with 19 goals and 34 points in 22 games.  His point production is third best in the league.

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r Both McColgan and Bulmer and played well in Red Deer, but could help the Rockets find the back of the net.  They will play tomorrow in Edmonton before the Rockets hit the Christmas break.  The Rockets will return home on Saturday December 27 to host the Kamloops Blazers.

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r SHANE McCOLGAN                  POSITION – Forward
r HOMETOWN – Manhattan Beach, CA (January 1, 1993)
r HEIGHT – 5’10                            WEIGHT – 170

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r BRETT BULMER                        POSITION – Forward
r HOMETOWN – Prince George, BC (April 26, 1992)
r HEIGHT – 6’1                              WEIGHT – 165

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