In his nearly three decades with the 香蕉视频直播� organization, Lorne Frey has seen his share of high-end 16-year-old prospects come and go.
A scant few have come to the Western Hockey League club with as much potential and promise as defenceman
If the future unfolds as Frey believes it will, the club香蕉视频直播檚 2016 first-round draft pick from Yorkton, SK., will be a stabilizing force on the Rockets香蕉视频直播� blueline for years to come.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 been very good, everything we expected him to be,香蕉视频直播� said Frey, the Rockets香蕉视频直播� director of player personnel and assistant GM. 香蕉视频直播淲e saw it last year, how good he was as a 15-year-old and he香蕉视频直播檚 continued to improve. He香蕉视频直播檚 very good in all areas of the game, and we were just very fortunate to get him in the draft.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 likely going to be a cornerstone on our back end for hopefully the next three to four years.香蕉视频直播�
To be talked about with the same acclaim as some of the best rearguards ever to wear a Rockets香蕉视频直播� uniform could easily be an overwhelming concept for a player whose WHL career has barely begun.
But Korczak is doing his best to take it all in stride.
香蕉视频直播淭here are some expectations of me, I know they香蕉视频直播檙e high but the coaches are doing a real good job of prepping us and getting the young guys ready for it,香蕉视频直播� said Korczak, the Rockets first choice, 11th overall in last year香蕉视频直播檚 draft. 香蕉视频直播淚 know what I need to do, so if I just play my game and stick to that, I should be fine out here.香蕉视频直播�
Korczak got his feet wet in major junior hockey last season, playing in four regular season games with the Rockets and five more in the playoffs.
It was just the exposure the 6-foot-2, 175-pound defenceman needed to jump-start what the Rockets envision will be a long and prosperous career in the WHL.
香蕉视频直播淚t was huge for me playing in playoffs and regular season last year, getting a good idea of what it takes to play against guys at this level,香蕉视频直播� said Korczak, who had 11 goals and 29 points last season with the Yorkton midget AAA Maulers. 香蕉视频直播淚 came back this year knowing the guys, it香蕉视频直播檚 nice to see them again and be part of this.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 super lucky to come here and I know the (Rockets) will do everything they can to push me to the next level as a player.香蕉视频直播�
And the Rockets are looking forward to watching Korczak香蕉视频直播檚 progress every step of the way.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檒l be a top-six guy this year and play lots of minutes in all situations,香蕉视频直播� said Frey. 香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 an exceptional individual and an exceptional player, we香蕉视频直播檙e fortunate to get him.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 a great skater, he moves the puck well, he香蕉视频直播檚 smart, he competes and has great offensive ability. He香蕉视频直播檚 developed into something special.香蕉视频直播�
Korczak and his Rockets teammates will open their exhibition schedule Saturday night at home to the Victoria Royals. Face off at Prospera Place is 7 p.m.
