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 club香蕉视频直播檚 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 team香蕉视频直播檚 blueline should be in capable hands.
香蕉视频直播淚 think we香蕉视频直播檙e going to be really deep on defense and that香蕉视频直播檚 a really good place to start,香蕉视频直播� said Hamilton. 香蕉视频直播淔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).
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 see this team winning many games 6-5,香蕉视频直播� added Hamilton, who fully expects his team to be in the hunt for a BC Division title this season. 香蕉视频直播淚 think we香蕉视频直播檙e going to win 4-3, 3-2 and kind of do it that way.香蕉视频直播�
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 forwards香蕉视频直播擡rik Gardiner, Kyle Topping, Jack Cowell, Leif Mattson and Conner Bruggen-Cate香蕉视频直播攚ill be tasked to provide adequate secondary scoring.
While many observers are expecting Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 offensive numbers to take a significant dip from 2016-17, Hamilton isn香蕉视频直播檛 so sure.
香蕉视频直播淚 think we香蕉视频直播檙e going to be more dynamic up front than people think,香蕉视频直播� said Hamilton. 香蕉视频直播淭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 wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be surprised to see a couple.香蕉视频直播�
Perhaps the club香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e going to start with those guys and see how it goes,香蕉视频直播� said Hamilton. 香蕉视频直播淏rodan has worked hard and has earned the chance to start. James, all he did at Edge (Calgary) was win, so we香蕉视频直播檙e going to see what they both can do.
香蕉视频直播淚f we have to make a move (for a goalie), we香蕉视频直播檝e shown in the past that we will. We have some cards to play if we need to.香蕉视频直播�
Jason Smith heads into his second season as Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淗e has a year under his belt, he香蕉视频直播檚 matured and I think he香蕉视频直播檚 going to be more settled,香蕉视频直播� said Hamilton. 香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 familiar with the players and has a better idea of the style of coaching needed at the (junior) level.香蕉视频直播�
The Rockets open the WHL香蕉视频直播檚 regular season Friday at home to the Kamloops Blazers. Face off at Prospera Place is 7 p.m.
