Rockets Roster Taking Shape
Heading into this year’s Western Hockey League training camp the Kelowna Rockets were in a solid posiiton, with 18 players from last year’s roster battling for spots.
That kind of depth not only creates good competition for the few open roster spots but in the end leads to players having to be let go.
That depth caught up to a pair of Rockets players on Tuesday as the team released forwards Codey Ito and Sean Aschim, both players who had skated last year with the Rockets. Rookie prospect Tyrell Goulbourne was also reassigned to midget AAA in Edmonton as Kelowna continued to prepare for the start of the WHL season on Saturday.
Having to let go Ito—a walk-on who made the team last year—and Aschim was a difficult move for the Rockets brass.
“This was a very tough decision,” said Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton. “Both of these players are tremendous young men.”
While the Rockets try to find the pair WHL teams to play for, the team is also waiting to hear more word about players who have been away at NHL training camps. Evan Bloodoff (Phoenix) is the latest veteran to arrive back in Kelowna while Mitchell Callahan (Detroit) is expected later in the week. Colton Jobke and Brett Bulmer both still remain at Minnesota’s camp.
Tuesday’s roster moves leave the Rockets with 27 players once everyone is back in Kelowna.
“I’m looking forward to having everyone back next week,” said Hamilton. “We will have a good idea of what our team will look like.”
The Rockets will start the season with some extra bodies and Hamilton is looking forward to the competition that creates for playing time.
“There will be guys sitting out every night so it will be interesting to see,” he said. “If you take a night off you’ll be sitting out. We didn’t have that last year. We’re going to go with extra guys to make sure everybody works hard every night. That’s all we’re going to ask of our guys is to give it their best every night.”
The Rockets completed a 5-1 pre season last weekend and will open the WHL season on Saturday against the Prince George Cougars at 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place. (Get Tickets here)
