For Kelowna's highest-level hockey team, the Rockets are set to embark on a special 30th anniversary season.
"I would say that it's been a lot of fun, but like everything when you're involved in the sports world, it has its ups and downs, and fortunately for us, I think we've had more ups than downs," Rockets owner, president, and general manager Bruce Hamilton told Black Press Media. "We're so excited about this upcoming season with the Memorial Cup coming back to Kelowna."
Over the last 29 seasons, the Rockets have won the WHL championship (Ed Chynoweth Cup) five times. Out of the five Memorial Cups the franchise has been to, they have been crowned the best Canadian Hockey League (CHL) team one time, in front of their home fans in 2004. A memory that is still Hamilton's favourite over the last 30 years.
"I still go back to the afternoon we won the Memorial Cup right here in Kelowna and just the electricity that was going on in the downtown core when the game was over, and enjoying the next few days," said Hamilton. "How excited everybody was for the players and the team and for our city, it was a great experience."
The upcoming 2025/26 season is a celebration of the franchise's 30 years in Kelowna, but they weren't always here. After four seasons in Tacoma, WA., the Rockets moved to the Okanagan, where the team first played out of Memorial Arena.
"It had its pitfalls," said Hamilton. "There were all kinds of plans for a new building that seemed to stall and stall, and then when GSP Group got involved and the city moved forward to getting it built."
He added former Mayors James H. Stuart and Walter Grey, as well as Coun. Andre Blanleil were "instrumental" in bringing Prospera Place to town.
"Once we were out of Memorial Arena, [we] had a chance to be successful on the financial side of things; it was paying for itself then, and when we moved in [Prospera Place], that's had a huge impact," said Hamilton. "I think with what we've done, having the building downtown, 34-36 home games every year, that's 34-36 nights of the year that the downtown community certainly gets a lot of business, the restaurants, the hotels so I think we've been a real integral part of the cultural district and it's growing around us."
And while the on-ice success is important, Hamilton said the connection with the local community is what he's most pleased with.
"I think the building of the franchise in the communities is that thing that I'm most proud about, that our hockey club has become what Kelowna is known for," said Hamilton. "I think when we brought the Memorial Cup here the first time, it certainly got the city some recognition, and people learn what we're all about."
The Rockets also have a dedicated fan base that's only grown over the years.
"We always end up with one of the highest season ticket memberships in junior hockey, for sure in the WHL," said Hamilton. "We're just fortunate that we play in a place with good, easy access, it's not hard to get [to Prospera Place] from all points of the city. I think our support has been phenomenal, and that goes out to our fans."
Over all these years, 61 players who have appeared for the Rockets have made it to the NHL, including Hockey Hall of Famers Shea Weber and Duncan Keith. Some other players include Leon Draisaitl, Luke Schenn, Alex Edler, Tyson Barrie, and Tyler Myers.
Additionally, Rockets alumni Brandon McMillan has just returned to the franchise as an assistant coach, while Josh Gorges is currently an assistant coach for the BCHL's West Kelowna Warriors.
"We've been very fortunate we've been able to produce a lot of NHL-calibre players," said Hamilton. "The thing that's really exciting to me is that they make [Kelowna] their offseason home now. A number of them, this is their home year-round. That's special to me because you get to see them in the summer in particular... It's a testament to our city."
Going into this season, the Rockets are hosting the Memorial Cup for the first time since 2004, something Hamilton is really excited about. After trading some of the team's better players at last season's trade deadline in January, Hamilton acquired some good players in return, highlighted by Will Sharpe and Hayden Paupanekis, and is confident in his team making a run this season.
"I think we've added some really exciting players, and I know our team is going to be significantly different than it was last year," added Hamilton. "I really think that we've turned the corner with our team."
This offseason, the Rockets have added veterans Mazden Leslie and Carson Wetsch as well as Czech brothers Tomas and Frantisek Poletin, and forward Daniel Pekar.
Hamilton also added that the return of Tij Iginla is going to bring a boost to the lineup. The Utah Mammoth prospect had 32 points in 18 games last season before his season was cut short due to injury.
With this season being the 30th anniversary, Hamilton confirmed the franchise is working on "something" to commemorate the year, but wouldn't tip his hand as to what it is yet.
"I'm just going to kind of keep that quiet," Hamilton said with a laugh. "We're doing something, but we're waiting for them to arrive, and that's the problem if they don't arrive on time."
Many upgrades are being completed in Prospera Place for the season ahead and hosting the Memorial Cup, including a new scoreboard, new sound system, improved Wi-Fi, and new ice resurfacers. In total, the City of Kelowna has invested $5.1 million in improvements.
The Rockets won the bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup in late 2024, and Hamilton said it couldn't have been done without Mayor Tom Dyas and City Manager Doug Gilchrist.
"I don't think we'd get the event without them," said Hamilton.
The puck drops on the 2025/26 Rockets on Friday, Sept. 19, when the team welcomes the Spokane Chiefs to Prospera Place. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
"The year we won, we hosted and we hope to do that again this year," said Hamilton.
