Malc
09-02-2011, 09:20 AM
by Wayne Moore
Kelowna Rockets have trimmed their roster as they break training camp and prepare for the start of the exhibition schedule.
After four days of rookie camp and three days of main camp, the Rockets have cut the roster to 26 players who will take part in the pre-season beginning with games Friday (Vancouver Giants) and Saturday (Victoria Royals) at Prospera Place.
Among those remaining with the club are 17 players back from last season, including 10 forwards, five defencemen and both goaltenders.
Three highly touted rookies, 16 year old defencemen Jesse Lees and Madison Bowey and 17-year-old Slovakian forward Filip Vasko also remain with the squad.
"We have some good young players here from last year and this year there are some good young players that we decided to keep," said Lorne Frey, Rockets assistant GM and head scout.
"We're going to try to give them as much work as we can through the exhibition schedule."
Among the other players still with the Rockets include 2011 draft pick Ryan Donaldson (RW) of Langley and Tyson Baillie (C) of Fort Saskatchewan a 3rd round selection in 2010. Abbotsford's Austin Ferguson (C), a 10th rounder in 2010 and 2009 draft picks Tanner Moar (D) and Texas native Colten Martin (D) are also competing for spots with Winfield native Mark MacDougall (D).
Many of the young players will get a good look during the pre season after the veterans head off to NHL training camps, including:
• Shane McColgan (NY Rangers)
• Brett Bulmer and Colton Jobke (Minnesota)
• Zach Franko (Detroit)
• Jessey Astles (Pittsburgh)
• Adam Brown (Edmonton)
Frey says the Rockets philosophy hasn't changed when it comes to the type of players they are looking for.
"We hope we can have a very exciting and competitive team here, that's always been our number one goal," said Frey. "We want to make sure our team competes, we have good skill, and we have players that people want to come and see."
http://www.castanet.net/news/Sports/64242/Rockets-trim-roster-as-camp-ends
Kelowna Rockets have trimmed their roster as they break training camp and prepare for the start of the exhibition schedule.
After four days of rookie camp and three days of main camp, the Rockets have cut the roster to 26 players who will take part in the pre-season beginning with games Friday (Vancouver Giants) and Saturday (Victoria Royals) at Prospera Place.
Among those remaining with the club are 17 players back from last season, including 10 forwards, five defencemen and both goaltenders.
Three highly touted rookies, 16 year old defencemen Jesse Lees and Madison Bowey and 17-year-old Slovakian forward Filip Vasko also remain with the squad.
"We have some good young players here from last year and this year there are some good young players that we decided to keep," said Lorne Frey, Rockets assistant GM and head scout.
"We're going to try to give them as much work as we can through the exhibition schedule."
Among the other players still with the Rockets include 2011 draft pick Ryan Donaldson (RW) of Langley and Tyson Baillie (C) of Fort Saskatchewan a 3rd round selection in 2010. Abbotsford's Austin Ferguson (C), a 10th rounder in 2010 and 2009 draft picks Tanner Moar (D) and Texas native Colten Martin (D) are also competing for spots with Winfield native Mark MacDougall (D).
Many of the young players will get a good look during the pre season after the veterans head off to NHL training camps, including:
• Shane McColgan (NY Rangers)
• Brett Bulmer and Colton Jobke (Minnesota)
• Zach Franko (Detroit)
• Jessey Astles (Pittsburgh)
• Adam Brown (Edmonton)
Frey says the Rockets philosophy hasn't changed when it comes to the type of players they are looking for.
"We hope we can have a very exciting and competitive team here, that's always been our number one goal," said Frey. "We want to make sure our team competes, we have good skill, and we have players that people want to come and see."
http://www.castanet.net/news/Sports/64242/Rockets-trim-roster-as-camp-ends