The have long had a reputation for assembling deep, reliable and skilled defensive corps.
If the 2017-18 campaign rolls out as planned, Bruce Hamilton expects the club91裸聊视频檚 back end will once again serve as the anchor for the Western Hockey League club.
Led by 20-year-olds Gordie Ballhorn and James Hilsendager, Tampa Bay prospect Cal Foote, and supported by the likes of rookies Kaeden Korczak and Libor Zabransky, the Rockets GM said the team91裸聊视频檚 blueline should be in capable hands.
91裸聊视频淚 think we91裸聊视频檙e going to be really deep on defense and that91裸聊视频檚 a really good place to start,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淔rom our over-agers, to our returning guys, right to down to our rookies, I think we go into the season in pretty good shape. We definitely have numbers back there (nine).
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 see this team winning many games 6-5,91裸聊视频� added Hamilton, who fully expects his team to be in the hunt for a BC Division title this season. 91裸聊视频淚 think we91裸聊视频檙e going to win 4-3, 3-2 and kind of do it that way.91裸聊视频�
With the departures of high-scoring forwards Nick Merkley, Calvin Thurkauf and Reid Gardiner, the Rockets will turn to veterans and NHL draft picks Dillon Dube and Kole Lind to set the pace for the offense.
Nolan Foote will look to build on his 20-goal rookie season, while a hoard of 1999-born forwards91裸聊视频擡rik Gardiner, Kyle Topping, Jack Cowell, Leif Mattson and Conner Bruggen-Cate91裸聊视频攚ill be tasked to provide adequate secondary scoring.
While many observers are expecting Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 offensive numbers to take a significant dip from 2016-17, Hamilton isn91裸聊视频檛 so sure.
91裸聊视频淚 think we91裸聊视频檙e going to be more dynamic up front than people think,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淭hat group of 99s is going to be real important on our second and third lines. We need some 20-goal scorers to come from that group and I wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be surprised to see a couple.91裸聊视频�
Perhaps the club91裸聊视频檚 biggest wildcard heading into the season is goaltending, where the No. 1 job is in the hands of Brodan Salmond, 19, with 30 games of experience, is back for his third season with the Rockets. Rookie James Porter, 17, assumes the backup role.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to start with those guys and see how it goes,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淏rodan has worked hard and has earned the chance to start. James, all he did at Edge (Calgary) was win, so we91裸聊视频檙e going to see what they both can do.
91裸聊视频淚f we have to make a move (for a goalie), we91裸聊视频檝e shown in the past that we will. We have some cards to play if we need to.91裸聊视频�
Jason Smith heads into his second season as Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 head man, with fourth-year coaches Kris Mallette and Travis Crickard, and second-year assistant Adam Brown back in supporting roles.
Hamilton expects Smith to take a considerable step forward in his second tour of duty.
91裸聊视频淗e has a year under his belt, he91裸聊视频檚 matured and I think he91裸聊视频檚 going to be more settled,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 familiar with the players and has a better idea of the style of coaching needed at the (junior) level.91裸聊视频�
The Rockets open the WHL91裸聊视频檚 regular season Friday at home to the Kamloops Blazers. Face off at Prospera Place is 7 p.m.
