Like each and every season, Bruce Hamilton91裸聊视频檚 expectations are nothing less than his team challenging for a Western Hockey League championship.
And each year when the playoffs end before the month of May, the Kelowna Rockets91裸聊视频� GM feels a sense of both emptiness and unfinished business.
The Rockets were ousted from the WHL post season Sunday night, losing in six games to the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Conference championship.
Based on the way his club played over the last two months of the season, Hamilton believed the Rockets had set the table for a championship run.
As it turned out, the defending Western Conference champion Thunderbirds were one roadblock the Rockets couldn91裸聊视频檛 find a way to get past.
91裸聊视频淚 had a good feeling about this team, the pathway we were on from the trade deadline on, I really felt we had the team to win,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淥ur team got a lot better, I91裸聊视频檓 pretty sure people didn91裸聊视频檛 think we were going to sneak up on them like we did.
91裸聊视频淚 tried to explain to our players how hard it is to get there and to win,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e very fortunate to have been there (the Memorial Cup) five times before, so to get that close and see it slip away is always disappointing.91裸聊视频�
As was the case at times during the regular season, Hamilton said discipline and was an issue again for the Rockets in the Western Conference final.
The GM also credited Seattle for their workmanlike effort and said the physical punishment delivered on the Rockets on a nightly basis took its toll.
91裸聊视频淵ou can91裸聊视频檛 take anything away from Seattle, they91裸聊视频檙e a very physical team and as the series went on our guys seemed less and less interested,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton, who also pointed to a pair of late game-winning goals in Games 1 and 3 by Seattle that shifted momentum in the series. 91裸聊视频淚 thought through the first four games, we really had a chance to grab hold of the series, but those late goals really turned the series.91裸聊视频�
Outgoing captain Rodney Southam is one of at least six players who the Rockets will see moving on. The Saskatoon-born forward is joined by overage grads Michael Herringer and playoff scoring leader Reid Gardiner, as well as Nick Merkley, Calvin Thurkauf, Lucas Johansen91裸聊视频攁nd possibly Devante Stephens91裸聊视频攚ho are expected to turn pro.
As for the future, Hamilton is upbeat about the club the Rockets will ice next season. Dillon Dube, Kole Lind, Cal Foote and Nolan Foote are among those who will form the foundation of the team.
And with youngsters like Kyle Topping, Liam Kindree, Jack Cowell and Kaeden Korczak all expected to take a another big step forward, Hamilton said the coaching staff should have another strong stable of talent to work with.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e got a good group coming back,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淚t was a learning curve this year for Jason (Smith) but now he knows all of them, he91裸聊视频檒l be able to come in next year and hit the the ground running.91裸聊视频�
As for Jason Smith91裸聊视频攚ith the exception of winning a championship91裸聊视频攖here wasn91裸聊视频檛 much more the 43-year-old head coach could have asked from his rookie season behind the Rockets91裸聊视频� bench.
91裸聊视频淚t was outstanding,91裸聊视频� said Smith, who led Kelowna to 45 regular season victories. 91裸聊视频淎s a staff the work ethic, the time the players put in and the energy they brought every day to the rink, it was great to come to the rink. To be around a group of kids or young men or whatever you want to call them: They were well-behaved, they worked hard, they were coachable and good people. It was a great experience.91裸聊视频�
The Rockets are now preparing for this Thursday91裸聊视频檚 WHL bantam draft in Calgary. Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 first choice will be in the second round, 39th overall.
