Rockets recruit CSSHL U18 captains Guest and Pankratz
Kelowna, B.C.- The Kelowna Rockets have signed 2006-born defenceman Rowan Guest and 2006-born forward Connor Pankratz to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements.
“I’m pumped to be a Rocket,” Guest said. “Ever since I went to Kelowna (for) my first training camp I’ve been waiting for the day to sign. Watching the Blades growing up in Saskatoon, it’s always been the dream of mine to play in the Western Hockey League.”
Guest, a 6-foot-4, 201-pound blueliner, is coming off his second season with Pacific Coast Hockey Academy U18 Prep of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, where he racked up 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 27 games.
He was named Captain of the team, finished fourth in league scoring and made the CSSHL U18 Prep BC Division First All-Star Team.
“Rowan is a big mobile defender,” Rockets assistant general manager Curtis Hamilton added. “He can play in all three zones, he can run the power play, play the penalty kill and has a mean streak to him too.”
Guest was previously committed to UMass Lowell and the BCHL.
Kelowna selected Guest in the 11th round, 237th overall, of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
Pankratz, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound forward, inked his agreement with the Rockets on Tuesday.
“I honestly couldn’t be more excited,” the West Vancouver, B.C. product said. “Coming into a group where they had a good run in the playoffs and knowing what we’re building for next year, it’s really exciting to be a part of it.”
Another CSSHL standout, Pankratz led St. George’s School U18 Prep with 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points in 29 games this season.
The St. George’s Captain added another two assists in three playoff contests.
“Connor is a hard-working, highly competitive centreman,” Hamilton noted. “He was a leader and the captain of his team, which we covet. He’s a 200-foot player, with some scoring ability, and we believe will mix in well with that age group and will easily blend into our lineup.”
He was previously expected to play in the BCHL.
Pankratz was listed by the Rockets after going unselected in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.