When the opportunity to trade for surfaced last year, the didn香蕉视频直播檛 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.
香蕉视频直播淲e knew he was a good player, he was a very good bantam and a guy who could score,香蕉视频直播� Rockets香蕉视频直播� player personnel director Lorne Frey said of Mattson. 香蕉视频直播淲hen the (Brandon) Wheat Kings gave us a call about him, there was no hesitation, no reason not to take a chance, and it香蕉视频直播檚 worked out very well.香蕉视频直播�
split the D before finishing with a little forehand-backhand to pull the boys ahead 1-0 馃殌馃悏
香蕉视频直播� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
Like most young players growing up in Manitoba, Mattson香蕉视频直播檚 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 A香蕉视频直播檚 Drumheller Dragons, Mattson香蕉视频直播檚 career changed directions last October when he was dealt to the Rockets.
香蕉视频直播淚 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,香蕉视频直播� said Mattson. 香蕉视频直播淏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.香蕉视频直播�
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 time香蕉视频直播攁nd despite missing nine games with injury香蕉视频直播擬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.
香蕉视频直播淗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,香蕉视频直播� Frey said. 香蕉视频直播淗e worked extremely hard at (conditioning) in the summer and worked with (skating coach) Evan Marble to really improve his skating.
香蕉视频直播淲e knew he would score, but he香蕉视频直播檚 put time and effort into his game and it香蕉视频直播檚 showing,香蕉视频直播� Frey added. 香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 gaining confidence and feeling better about himself, so he香蕉视频直播檚 just going to get better.香蕉视频直播�
From Mattson香蕉视频直播檚 perspective, his move to Kelowna a year ago has unfolded pretty much according to plan.
香蕉视频直播淚 knew my role was going to expand greatly this year and I wanted to be prepared for that,香蕉视频直播� Mattson said. 香蕉视频直播淚 wanted to improve and have a bigger impact and I feel like I香蕉视频直播檓 working towards that.
香蕉视频直播淲e have some good talent on this team,香蕉视频直播� he added, 香蕉视频直播渢he atmosphere in the dressing room and the coaches are positive, it香蕉视频直播檚 just a good situation for me to be in. I香蕉视频直播檓 super grateful to be a Kelowna Rocket.香蕉视频直播�
Rocket Shots香蕉视频直播�
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 victory香蕉视频直播he Rockets open a four-game homestand Friday night against the Vancouver Giants. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
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