The Kelowna Rockets won91裸聊视频檛 have a first-round pick at next week91裸聊视频檚 Western Hockey League bantam draft in Calgary.

Suffice to say, it will make each and every selection that much more vital for Lorne Frey and the Rockets91裸聊视频� scouting staff.

Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 first choice won91裸聊视频檛 come up until the second round, 39th overall. Frey will also have one pick in the third and two more in the fourth round.

91裸聊视频淲e have to hope to hit on those (earlier picks), at least most of them,91裸聊视频� said Frey, the club91裸聊视频檚 player personnel director and assistant GM. 91裸聊视频淚f we don91裸聊视频檛 do well with those picks, it won91裸聊视频檛 be a very good draft.

91裸聊视频淏ut there are lots of good players out there, so it91裸聊视频檚 a matter of getting them and having a little luck, too.91裸聊视频�

The Rockets yielded their first-round choice this year to acquire Reid Gardiner from the Prince Albert Raiders.

The 21-year-old forward from Humboldt, Sask., has been lights out since arriving from Scranton Wilkes-Barre of the AHL, particularly in the playoffs where he has already set a franchise record with 15 goals in 13 games.

Frey said winning often comes with a price, including having to part with potential franchise-building draft picks.

In Gardiner91裸聊视频檚 case, it91裸聊视频檚 clear the Rockets have no regrets with the decision91裸聊视频攅ven if Kelowna doesn91裸聊视频檛 win a WHL championship.

91裸聊视频淭hose are decisions you have to make,91裸聊视频� said Frey. 91裸聊视频淓ventually those things are going to catch up with you, but those kinds of opportunities are few and far between and you to take advantage of them when they91裸聊视频檙e there.

91裸聊视频淚t was a great trade for us, no question,91裸聊视频� he added, referring to Gardiner, the WHL91裸聊视频檚 player of the week for the second straight time. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 been unbelievable, the major reason we are where we are right now. We never dwell on these deals after we make them, and we certainly won91裸聊视频檛 on this one.91裸聊视频�

At this year91裸聊视频檚 draft, Frey isn91裸聊视频檛 counting on the same kind of second-round magic the Rockets found in both 2013 and 2015 when they landed brothers Cal and Nolan Foote, respectively.

As far as what position the Rockets will be focusing on at the draft, Frey said bolstering the club91裸聊视频檚 blue line is always a central theme.

91裸聊视频淎 lot of times you might take the best player available, but you91裸聊视频檝e always gotta keep working on your defense,91裸聊视频� said Frey. 91裸聊视频淲ithout good defense you just don91裸聊视频檛 win championships, so if the cards fall right we91裸聊视频檒l probably go with a D-man.91裸聊视频�

Frey estimates there are about 10 to 15 players in the draft who are potentially high-end talent. After that, he said the difference between the next group of players is much less discernible.

91裸聊视频淧robably the next 100 kids are close to being the same, the way they91裸聊视频檙e coached, and the way they play,91裸聊视频� said Frey. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 what makes (the draft) difficult and why there91裸聊视频檚 so much parity in the league now.91裸聊视频�

Frey will be making final preparations for the draft this week at the Alberta Cup in Canmore, a showcase for bantam-aged players from across that province.

The WHL91裸聊视频檚 bantam draft is set for next Thursday, May 4 in Calgary,

Fan bus for Game 591裸聊视频�

A fan bus will be running to Kent, Wash., Friday for Game 5 of the Western Conference Championship between the Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds.

Cost is $160 includes hotel (based on double occupancy) and a game ticket.

Travellers must ensure they have a valid passport in order to go on the trip.

For more information, contact Chantelle LaBrie at labrie_chantelle10@hotmail.com or by calling 250-808-9897, or Bill Henthorn at 250-863-9985.