When the opportunity to trade for surfaced last year, the didn91裸聊视频檛 hesitate.
Giving up a eighth-round bantam draft pick in 2017 turned out to be a small price to pay for the skilled forward from Stonewall, MB.
91裸聊视频淲e knew he was a good player, he was a very good bantam and a guy who could score,91裸聊视频� Rockets91裸聊视频� player personnel director Lorne Frey said of Mattson. 91裸聊视频淲hen the (Brandon) Wheat Kings gave us a call about him, there was no hesitation, no reason not to take a chance, and it91裸聊视频檚 worked out very well.91裸聊视频�
split the D before finishing with a little forehand-backhand to pull the boys ahead 1-0 馃殌馃悏
91裸聊视频� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
Like most young players growing up in Manitoba, Mattson91裸聊视频檚 earliest hockey aspiration was to play close to home for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
And after being chosen in the eighth round of the 2014 draft by the Wheat Kings, that dream looked to be on track.
But after stops in Alberta with St. Albert midget AAA Raiders and junior A91裸聊视频檚 Drumheller Dragons, Mattson91裸聊视频檚 career changed directions last October when he was dealt to the Rockets.
91裸聊视频淚 was really excited when I was picked by Brandon, it was the closest team to where I grew up and was really nice for me and my family when it happened,91裸聊视频� said Mattson. 91裸聊视频淏ut things change in hockey and when the Rockets traded for me, I was super excited, too. I saw it as a new opportunity and Kelowna is a pretty sweet spot to be, because of the organization and the city.91裸聊视频�
In acquiring Mattson, the Rockets helped alleviate a depth shortage in their group of 1999-born forwards.
After joining Kelowna last season, the 6-foot, 200-pound forward put up nine goals and 14 points in 45 games. This season, with an increased role and more ice time91裸聊视频攁nd despite missing nine games with injury91裸聊视频擬attson, 18, has five goals and two assists in eight games.
Frey said Mattson, as hoped, has shown steady improvement in all facets of his game.
91裸聊视频淗e came on at the end of last year and I think at the time it was a question of getting his conditioning where it needed to be,91裸聊视频� Frey said. 91裸聊视频淗e worked extremely hard at (conditioning) in the summer and worked with (skating coach) Evan Marble to really improve his skating.
91裸聊视频淲e knew he would score, but he91裸聊视频檚 put time and effort into his game and it91裸聊视频檚 showing,91裸聊视频� Frey added. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 gaining confidence and feeling better about himself, so he91裸聊视频檚 just going to get better.91裸聊视频�
From Mattson91裸聊视频檚 perspective, his move to Kelowna a year ago has unfolded pretty much according to plan.
91裸聊视频淚 knew my role was going to expand greatly this year and I wanted to be prepared for that,91裸聊视频� Mattson said. 91裸聊视频淚 wanted to improve and have a bigger impact and I feel like I91裸聊视频檓 working towards that.
91裸聊视频淲e have some good talent on this team,91裸聊视频� he added, 91裸聊视频渢he atmosphere in the dressing room and the coaches are positive, it91裸聊视频檚 just a good situation for me to be in. I91裸聊视频檓 super grateful to be a Kelowna Rocket.91裸聊视频�
Rocket Shots91裸聊视频�
Kelowna forward Erik Gardiner remains sidelined for an indefinite period after suffering a head injury Oct. 27 against the Tri-City Americans. Gardiner, 18, was struck on the helmet while attempting to block a shot in the third period of the 4-3 overtime victory91裸聊视频he Rockets open a four-game homestand Friday night against the Vancouver Giants. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.
<>
whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
