KELOWNA ROCKETS vs. KAMLOOPS BLAZERS - 6
KELOWNA ROCKETS vs. KAMLOOPS BLAZERS Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 - 7:05 PM Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC NO. 1 30
PLAYER JACKSON WHISTLE MICHAEL HERRINGER
POS G G
SH L L
HT 6'1 6'
WT HOMETOWN 192 West Kelowna, BC 176 Comox, BC
3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19
RILEY STADEL GORDIE BALLHORN* DANNY GATENBY* JONATHAN SMART* LUCAS JOHANSEN TANNER WISHNOWSKI* NICK MERKLEY JORDAN BORSTMAYER* ALEXANDER URYGA* ROURKE CHARTIER TOMAS SOUSTAL KOLE LIND* RODNEY SOUTHAM TATE COUGHLIN DILLON DUBE
F/D D D D D LW C RW LW C C/RW RW C/RW RW C
L L L L L L R R L L R R R R L
5'10 6'1 6'3 5'11½ 6'1 6'0
180 186 174 170 176 186 5'10½ 185 5'11½ 172 6'2¾ 209 5'11 190 6'3 198 6'½ 172 6' 185 6'2 188 5'10¼ 180
Surrey, BC Wetaskiwin, AB Kelowna, BC Kelowna, BC Port Moody, BC Oakbank, MB Calgary, AB St. Brieux, SK North Vancouver, BC Saskatoon, SK Unicov, Czech Rep. Shaunavon, SK Saskatoon, SK Victoria, BC Cochrane, AB
Jan. 16/96 Sept. 2/97 Sept.17/98** June 1/99 Nov. 16/97** Jan. 28/97 May 23/97 Jan. 9/98 June 9/98 Apr. 3/96 Feb. 15/97 Oct. 16/98** Aug 9/96 July 23/97 July 20/98
3 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 19 22 23 24 25 27 29
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
GAGE QUINNEY DEVANTE STEPHENS BRAYDYN CHIZEN* JUSTIN KIRKLAND TYSON BAILLIE CAL FOOTE* COLE LINAKER CALVIN THURKAUF* JOE GATENBY
LW D D LW C D C LW D
L L R L R R R L R
5'11½ 6'1½ 6'6 6'3 5'11 6'3½ 6'1¾ 6'1¼ 6'0
Las Vegas, NV Surrey, BC St. Albert, AB Camrose, AB
July 29/95 Jan. 2/97 May 9/98 Aug. 2/96 Nov. 16/95** Dec. 13/98** July 11/95 June 27/97 May 15/97
32 33 34 37 38 41 42
200 176 190 185 198 198 185 202 185
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Denver, CO Edmonton, AB Zug, Switzerland Kelowna, BC
DOB June 9/95 Jan. 26/96
NO. PLAYER 31 DYLAN FERGUSON 39 CONNOR INGRAM
POS SH G L G L
HT 6' 1 6' 1
WT HOMETOWN 181 Lantzville, BC 195 Imperial, SK
DOB Sept. 20/98 Mar. 31/97
MARC McNULTY MATT REVEL ERIK MILLER JAKE KRYSKI MATT NEEDHAM COLLIN SHIRLEY NICK CHYZOWSKI LUKE HARRISON JESSE ZAHARICHUK QUINN BENJAFIELD SPENCER BAST RYAN REHILL CAMERON REAGAN NOLAN KNEEN MATTHEW CAMPESE
D C C C C LW C RW LW RW RW D D D LW
L R R L L L L R L R R R L R L
6' 6 5' 11 6' 0 5' 11 5' 10 6' 2 6' 0 6' 1 5' 8 6' 1 5' 11 6' 3 6' 1 6' 0 5' 10
210 184 167 175 184 197 184 204 155 182 170 218 200 170 185
Medicine Hat, AB Abbotsford, BC Sherwood Park, AB Vancouver, BC Penticton, BC Saskatoon, SK Kamloops, BC West Kelowna, BC Sherwood Park, AB North Vancouver, BC Macklin, SK Edmonton, AB Sherwood Park, AB Duncan, BC West Kelowna, BC
Apr. 5/95 Apr. 26/96 Mar. 8/99 Aug. 3/98 Apr. 17/95 Mar. 16/96 Jun. 3/97 Oct. 7/95 Apr. 1/97 Feb. 2/98 Jan. 5/97 Nov. 7/95 Jun. 19/97 Mar. 22/99 Dec. 10/97
JERMAINE LOEWEN CONNER McDONALD DEVEN SIDEROFF PATRIK MAIER DAWSON DAVIDSON GARRETT PILON ONDREJ VALA
LW D RW D D C D
L R R L L R L
6' 3 5' 11 5' 11 5' 11 5' 11 5' 11 6' 4
205 171 178 190 181 170 216
Arborg, MB Delta, BC Summerland, BC Bratislava, SVK Moosomin, SK Saskatoon, SK Pardubice, CZE
Jan. 18/98 May 31/99 Apr. 14/97 Nov. 6/96 Apr. 7/98 Apr. 13/98 Apr. 13/98
*Rookie **Late Birthday Affects NHL Draft Status
President/GM: Bruce Hamilton Asst GM/Dir Player Personnel: Lorne Frey Head Coach: Brad Ralph Assistant Coach: Kris Mallette Assistant/Goalie Coach: Travis Crickard Skills Development: Kim Gellert Athletic Therapist/Strength & Conditioning Coach: Scott Hoyer Equipment Manager: Chaydyn Johnson
General Manager: Craig Bonner Head Coach: Don Hay Assistant Coach: Mike Needham Assistant Coach: Terry Bangen Assistant Coach: Chris Murray Goaltender Coach: Dan De Palma Athletic Trainer: Colin Robinson Strength & Conditioning: Greg Kozoris
Referees: Mike LANGIN, Steve PAPP Linesmen: Dustin MINTY, Ward PATEMAN VGJ: Tyler McClellan
Rockets Next Home Game Friday Oct. 9 vs. Victoria - 2015-16 Home Opener (7:05)
Kelowna Rockets Per-Season Statistics 2015-2016 After Game #5 NO. PLAYER GP 19 Dillon Dube 4 16 Kole Lind* 5 20 Gage Quinney 5 25 Cal Foote* 5 4 Gordie Ballhorn* 5 9 Tanner Wishnowski* 5 27 Calvin Thurkauf* 5 7 Lucas Johansen 5 17 Rodney Southam 5 23 Justin Kirkland 2 3 Riley Stadel 2 12 Alexander Uryga* 5 5 Danny Gatenby* 4 2 Connor Bruggen-Cate* 5 22 Ted Brennan* 1 28 Joe Gatenby 5 18 Tate Coughlin 5 11 Jordan Borstmayer* 5 8 Kelvin Hair* 2 29 Liam Kindree* 2 26 Cole Linaker 1 22 Braydyn Chizen* 3 21 Devante Stephens 1 10 Nick Merkley 0 14 Rourke Chartier 0 24 Tyson Baillie 0 15 Tomas Soustal 0 Team Totals 90 Goaltending Statistics NO. PLAYER GP MIN GA 31 Jake Morrissey 3 148 8 30 Michael Herringer 2 88 3 1 Jackson Whistle 2 67 1 Team Totals 7 303 12 Scoring by Periods SOG 1st 2nd 3rd OT Total Rockets 1 3 4 7 0 15 Opponents 0 4 3 5 0 12 Rockets Record after Second Period: When Leading: 1 0 When Losing: 0 1 When Tied: 2 1 First Goal of the Game:
G 3 1 3 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14
A 3 5 1 4 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Svs 70 31 30 131
AVE 3.24 2.05 0.90 2.06
0 0 0
When Rockets Score First: 2 0 0 When Opponent Score First: 1 2 0 Home and Away Record: Overall Overtime Home 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Road 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Total 3 2 0 0 0 0 0
PTS 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35
PIM 2 8 0 4 6 4 2 4 6 2 0 10 2 4 0 6 4 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 '64
PPG SHG 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
PCT W L OT 0.932 0 2 0 0.936 2 0 0 0.968 1 0 0 0.945 3 2 0 Shots by Period 1st 2nd Rockets 52 44 Opponents 53 45
SL 0 0 0 0 3rd 43 59
2015-09-25 GW SOG +/0 0/0 -2 0 '0-1 -2 0 0-0 0 0 0/0 -2 0 0/0 0 1 0/0 1 0 0/1 -2 0 '0-0 -3 1 0-0 -2 0 0/0 1 0 '0-0 -2 0 0-0 -1 0 0/0 -1 0 0/0 -1 1 1/1 1 0 0/0 1 0 0/0 -2 0 0/0 -2 0 0-0 0 0 0/0 -1 0 '0-0 -1 0 0'0 -1 0 0/0 -1 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 0 3 0 0 SO 0 0 1 1 OT 4 1
Rockets Shots on Goal Record: 0 When Outshooting Opponent: 1 2 0 When Outshot by Opponent: 2 0 0 When Shots Are Tied: 0 0 Rockets Specialty Teams: Power Play: 0 Opp. PPGF SHGA 0 Rockets 33 7 0
PTS 0 0 0 0
PIM 0 0 0 0
Total 144 157 0 0 0
0 0 0 Pct.% 21.2
Shorthanded: Rockets
Opp. 32
PPGA 3
SHGF 1
Pct.% 90.6
Rockets vs. Blazers Friday September 25, 2015 Game Time - 7:05 pm th
Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets organization opens their 25 season in the Western Hockey League tonight when they welcome the visiting Kamloops Blazers. Before tonight’s game, the team will raise a Western Hockey League championship banner to the rafters at Prospera Place after eliminating the Brandon Wheat Kings in four games in last season’s league final. This is the fourth straight season the Rockets have opened at home against the Blazers. Back on September 20, 2014 the Rockets earned a 61 win before a crowd of 5 thousand 325. Tyson Baillie and Kris Schmidli each had a goal and two assists in the win. This is the first of eight meetings between these two teams this season. They renew acquaintances tomorrow night at the newly named Sandman Centre. Last season the Rockets were 9-1-00 against their BC Division rivals, who along with the Vancouver Giants, failed to make the playoffs in 2014-2015. The Rockets have a busy weekend ahead of them with three games in three nights. The Rockets are in Kamloops tomorrow before facing the Giants in Vancouver Sunday. The defending WHL champions play eight of their first 11 games on the road. Banner Raiser: The Kelowna Rockets raise two new banners before tonight’s game after winning the BC Division with 112 points and capturing the WHL title with a series sweep over the regular season champion Brandon Wheat Kings. It is the Rockets fourth WHL championship banner after winning the league crown in 2003 (vs. Red Deer), 2005 (vs. Brandon), 2009 (vs. Calgary) and 2015 (vs. Brandon). The BC Division title is the teams sixth, after earning 30 more points than the Victoria Royals, the BC Divisions second place team last season. The Rockets also won the BC Division in 2013-2014, 2012-2013, 2010-2011, 2003-2004 and 2002-2003. New Kids on the Block: The Kelowna Rockets named 34 year-old Brad Ralph as the head coach on August fourth. Ralph took over from Dan Lambert, who resigned at seasons end to take an assistant coaching position with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Ralph is the ninth head coach in Rockets franchise history after leaving the Idaho Steelheads after three seasons in the ECHL. On defense, the team welcomes 16 year-old Cal Foote, the son of former NHL’er Adam Foote. Foote was the team’s second round bantam pick in 2013 and his younger brother Nolan was the Rockets second round pick in this past May’s draft. The Rockets selected 18 year-old Swiss forward Calvin Thurkauf in this summer’s CHL Import draft. Other new faces include rookies Danny Gatenby (Joe’s younger brother) and 18 year-old Gordie Ballhorn, who played last season with the AJHL’s Whitecourt Wolverines. Significant off-season losses: Winning a WHL title with an older team means the hockey club lost seven players and a coach following an appearance in the Memorial Cup final in Quebec City. Moving on to pro hockey are Leon Draisaitl, Josh Morrissey, Cole Martin, Chance Braid, Tyrell Goulbourne and Captain Madison Bowey. Defenceman Mitch Wheaton was traded to the Saskatoon Blades in the off season and th head coach Dan Lambert resigned July 6 to take a job in the NHL. My memory is good, just short: For a third straight season the Rockets won 50+ games. With a record of 53-13-5-1, the team accumulated 112 points, two fewer than the regular season champion Brandon Wheat Kings. The Rockets won 26 times on home ice and a league high 27 times on the road. The Rockets were one of only two teams to score 300 or more goals (305) with Brandon leading the way with 340. Lost in the team’s successes last season was allowing a league low 183 goals against. Everett was next at 199. The team eliminated Tri City in round one, Victoria in round two and Portland in the Western Conference final. They quickly dispatched Brandon in the WHL final in four games. Is a repeat in the cards? The Rockets return their top three point producers from last season. Nick Merkley (90 pts), Rourke Chartier (82 pts), and Tyson Baillie (76 pts) are all back with the team. Merkley was taken in the first round of this summer’s NHL draft by the Arizona Coyotes while he and fellow teammate Chartier both attended Team Canada’s summer camp for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships. Baillie received a free agent tryout with the NHL’s Calgary Flames. Jackson Whistle, who played in 50 regular season games and posted a goals against average of 2.55, is back for his 20 year-old season. Whistle suited up for the Vancouver Canucks for a second consecutive season in the Young Stars Classic in Penticton. The hockey club returns 15 players from last season’s championship squad.
This and That: The Rockets had two players taken in the NHL draft. Nick Merkley was taken in the first th round by Arizona. Devante Stephens was chosen in the 5 round by Buffalo…Cole Linaker (Oilers), Tomas Soustal (Flames) and Tyson Baillie (Flames) all received free agent tryouts…Dillon Dube (3+3=6) and Kole Lind (1+5=6) led the team in pre-season scoring…The Rockets were 3-2-0-0 in five games during the pre-season…The CHL Top 10 rankings have the Rockets as the fourth best team in the nation heading into the season. Last year before the puck was dropped the Rockets were ranked fifth….The team’s first ever goal in Kelowna was scored by Brett McLean in the fall of 1995…The Rockets have won the last three home openers against the Blazers. Last season the score was 6-1 and the year prior it was a 5-2 victory…This is the fourth straight season the Rockets open the season against the Blazers…The team plays three games in three nights four times this season but twice in the first two weekends…In the last three seasons, the Rockets have a combined regular season record of 162-40-8-6 in 216 games. Portland is next with a mark of 154-48-5-9 over that same period. Rockets Season Highs and Lows: Most Goals Scored: Most Goals Allowed: Most Power Play Chances: Most Power Play Goals Scored: Most Power Play Goals Allowed: Most Shots Taken: Fewest Shots: Most Shot Allowed: Fewest Shots Allowed: Last Shutout: Last Time Shut Out: Penalty Shots: Shootout Game Winning Goals: OT Game Winning Goal: Most Points by one player: Hat tricks: vs. BC: 0-0-0-0 vs. US: 0-0-0-0 vs. Central: 0-0-0-0 vs. East: 0-0-0-0 Roster Stats: Player total: 27 Year by Year Breakdown: 20’s – 4 Quinney, Linaker, Baillie, Whistle 19’s – 5 Chartier, Stadel, Southam, Kirkland, Herringer 18’s – 9 Johansen, Merkley, Gatenby, Soustal, Stephens, Wishnowski, Coughlin, Thurkauf, Ballmore 17’s - 7 Dube, Danny Gatenby, Lind, Borstmayer, Chizen, Foote, Uryga 16’s – 2 Smart Month Games September: 3 October: 12 November: 11 December: 12 January: 12 February: 13 March: 9
Record 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
Home 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
Road 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
How the Rockets were built: st 1 Rd: Merkley, Chartier, Dube nd 2 Rd: Foote, Gatenby rd 3 Rd: Baillie, Stadel, Borstmayer th 4 Rd: Lind, th 5 Rd: Kirkland th 6 Rd: Linaker, Johansen, Bruggen-Cate th 9 Rd: Chizen Listed: Ballhorn, Coughlin, Stephens, Wishnowski, Danny Gatenby, Trade: Whistle, Herringer, Southam, Quinney CHL Import Draft: Thurkauf, Soustal Game notes compiled by Regan Bartel of AM 1150
2015-16 KAMLOOPS BLAZERS GAME NOTES
September 25, 2015 vs. Kelowna Rockets A NEW SEASON: The Kamloops Blazers franchise is in their 35th season in the Western Hockey League and the 32nd season as the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers finished the 2014-‐15 season with a 28-‐37-‐4-‐3 record and fell two points short of making the WHL playoffs. The Blazers are returning 17 players from last season’s team. Head Coach Don Hay returns for his second season behind the Blazers bench, while Assistant Coach Mike Needham is starting his first full season behind the Blazers bench after joining the hockey club in October 2014. The Blazers have four 20-‐year-‐olds on the roster; forwards Matt Needham and Luke Harrison and defensemen Ryan Rehill and Marc McNulty. The Blazers have until October 15th to get down to three 20-‐year-‐olds. Vs. Kelowna -‐ Last Season (10-‐Game Series) Game 1: 09/20/14, at Kelowna 6, Kamloops 1 Vs. Kelowna -‐ This Season (8-‐Game Series) Game 2: 10/15/14, vs. Kelowna 6, Kamloops 4 Game 1: 09/25/15, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 3: 12/27/14, at Kelowna 4, Kamloops 2 Game 2: 09/26/15, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 4: 01/02/15, vs. Kelowna 6, Kamloops 4 Game 3: 11/18/15, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 5: 01/09/15, vs. Kelowna 2, Kamloops 1 SO Game 4: 12/27/15, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 6: 02/06/15, at Kelowna 5, Kamloops 3 Game 5: 12/28/15, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 7: 02/07/15, vs. Kelowna 5, Kamloops 2 Game 6: 03/04/16, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 8: 02/18/15, at Kelowna 11, Kamloops 4 Game 7: 03/05/16, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 9: 03/13/15, vs. Kelowna 1, Kamloops 5 Game 8: 03/11/16, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 10: 03/14/15, at Kelowna 2, Kamloops 1 Blazers are 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 in season series Blazers are 1-‐8-‐0-‐1 in season series ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The Blazers roster currently sits at 24 players (2 goaltenders, 8 defensemen and 14 forwards). The roster includes 12 players selected in the WHL Bantam Draft, six players via trade, four players from the free agent list, and two players selected from the CHL Import Draft. The roster breakdown by region includes 11 players from B.C., five from Alberta, five from Saskatchewan, one from Manitoba, one from Slovakia, and one from Czech Republic. There are 17 WHL veterans on the roster and seven WHL rookies.
BY THE NUMBERS: Marc McNulty played his 200th WHL game in the Blazers season finale last season on March 21st… Matt Needham is the Blazers longest tenured player first suiting up for the hockey club during the 2010-‐11 season… Ryan Rehill surpassed 400 career WHL penalty minutes March 6th against Spokane… Matt Needham has 185 career points in 251 career games with the Blazers… Collin Shirley is one goal shy of 50 in his WHL career… Defenseman Ryan Rehill is 14 games shy of 200 in his WHL career… Matt Revel is two points shy of 100 career points in the WHL.
THE MATCH UP: The Blazers and Rockets are meeting for the first of back-‐to-‐back games in the WHL’s opening weekend. The Rockets won the season series last year with an 8-‐1-‐0-‐1 record. These two teams will meet eight times this season. Following tomorrow night’s game, the Rockets will be back in Kamloops on November 18th, while the Blazers will be in Kelowna next on December 28th.
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS ‘Who to Watch’: The Kamloops Blazers offensive is in the hands of veteran players Matt Needham, Deven Sideroff, Collin Shirley and Matt Revel after Cole Ully graduated to pro hockey. Needham had 25 goals and 76 points last season, while Sideroff had 17 goals and 43 points in his first full season in the WHL. Shirley chipped in with 26 goals and Revel had 34 points for the Blazers. Needham, Shirley and Revel are all players entering their fourth or fifth seasons in the WHL and are the veteran leaders. Luke Harrison is a key 20-‐ year-‐old who will need to build on his 12 goals from last season. Nick Chyzowski enters his third WHL season and will need to factor into the scoring as he grows into a more prominent role. Jake Kryski and Quinn Benjafield are entering their second seasons as 17-‐year-‐olds. They will look to build on their 16-‐year-‐old seasons and get more ice time. The Blazers will need 18-‐year-‐olds Jesse Zaharichuk and Matt Campese to step up into bigger roles this year. Jermaine Loewen still has time to grow and develop. Garrett Pilon, Spencer Bast and Erik Miller are all entering their first seasons with the hockey club. Ryan Rehill and Marc McNulty are the elder statesmen both in their fourth and final season in the WHL. 19-‐year-‐old import Patrik Maier is in his second season and will be counted on in a top-‐4 role. Cam Reagan had limited ice time last season, but will likely be a regular this season. Dawson Davidson impressed as a 16-‐year-‐old and has shown an offensive flair. Ondrej Vala is the hockey club’s newest import player from the Czech Republic. The 17-‐year-‐old possesses size at 6’4” and a solid two way game. Nolan Kneen and Conner McDonald are a pair of 16-‐year-‐olds that will also patrol the backend this season. In goal, Connor Ingram solidified himself as the Blazers starter last season and the 18-‐year-‐old will look to build on the success he had after Christmas last year. Dylan Ferguson has earned the back-‐up role this year. The 17-‐year-‐old impressed during the WHL preseason and will get opportunities to play.
KELOWNA ROCKETS ‘Who to Watch’: The Rockets are the defending WHL Champions and came within a goal of winning the Memorial Cup. A chunk of that team has graduated to professional hockey, but many key members have also returned to the Rockets this season. Tyson Baillie is one of those key players. The 20-‐year-‐old is into his fifth WHL season and has done nothing but score important goals put up points throughout his WHL career. The deadly duo of Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley also return for the Rockets. Chartier and Merkley are both drafted and signed by their respective NHL teams. Both players have a very good chance of making Canada’s National Junior team this season. Cole Linakar and Gage Quinney join Baillie as 20-‐year-‐old forwards on the roster. Dillon Dube is a player to watch. The 17-‐year-‐ old is entering his second WHL season and has shown plenty of offensive flair. Justin Kirkland is another drafted player that will contribute
2015-16 KAMLOOPS BLAZERS GAME NOTES
offensively. Tomas Soustal, Rodney Southam and converted defenseman Riley Stadel all will have pivotal roles for the Rockets. Import player Calvin Thurkauf, Kole Lind and Jordan Borstmayer are all first year forwards that will likely step in and contribute right away. On the backend, the Rockets are young. They return a trio of veterans that all played key minutes last season. Lucas Johansen, Devante Stephens and Joe Gatenby are all only 18, but will be counted on to be the leaders. Cal Foote is a talented first year player from Denver and the son of former NHLer Adam Foote. Gordie Ballhorn is an 18-‐year-‐old rookie that played in the AJHL last season, while Danny Gatenby is the younger brother of Joe Gatenby. In goal, the Rockets are solid as they return 20-‐year-‐old starter Jackson Whistle and 19-‐year-‐old Michael Herringer. NHL DRAFT: Ryan Rehill (New Jersey, 5th round, 131st overall in 2014), Deven Sideroff (Anaheim, 3rd round, 84th overall in 2015).
INJURY REPORT: Matt Revel, Upper Body, one week, Conner McDonald, Upper Body, TBD, Deven Sideroff, Illness, TBD. Man games lost due to injury – 0.
DID YOU KNOW… Don Hay is 2nd in franchise history behind Ken Hitchcock (291) with 172 career regular season wins… Hay is 2nd all-‐time in WHL history behind Ken Hodge (742) with 638 regular season wins… Erik Miller, Garrett Pilon, Ondrej Vala and Dylan Ferguson are all suiting up for the first career WHL regular season game tonight… The Blazers finished last season with 13 WHL rookies on their roster… This season, the Blazers have seven WHL rookies… Defenseman Nolan Kneen and Conner McDonald and forward Spencer Bast are all considered WHL rookies, but each player played games with the Blazers last season… Matt Needham is the longest tenured Blazer first suiting up for the hockey club during the 2010-‐11 season… Defenseman Nolan Kneen attended Canada’s Under-‐17 National Camp in Calgary this past summer… Forward Deven Sideroff won a Bronze Medal with Canada’s Under-‐18 National team in Switzerland this past April… Defenseman Ryan Rehill was returned by the New Jersey Devils to the Blazers on Thursday afternoon… Jermaine Loewen was born in Jamaica and has only been playing hockey for seven years… Matt Needham’s father Mike played for the Blazers from 1986-‐1990… Nick Chyzowski’s father Dave played for the Blazers from 1987-‐1990…
PRE-‐SEASON LEADERS (BLAZERS): • • • • • • • • • •
Goals: Luke Harrison (4) Assists: Jesse Zaharichuk (5) Points: Luke Harrison, Jesse Zaharichuk (7) Penalty Minutes: Patrik Maier (12) Plus/Minus: Five Players (+3) Rookies: Garrett Pilon (4) Goals Against Average: Connor Ingram (3.00) Save Percentage: Dylan Ferguson (.887) Power Play: 8.8% (21st) Penalty Kill: 81.8% (14th)
PRE-‐SEASON LEADERS (ROCKETS) • • • • • • • • • •
Goals: Dillon Dube, Gage Quinney (3) Assists: Kole Lind (5) Points: Dillon Dube, Kole Lind (6) Penalty Minutes: Alexander Uryga (10) Plus/Minus: Three players (+1) Rookies: Kole Lind (6) Goals Against Average: Jackson Whistle (0.89) Save Percentage: Jackson Whistle (.968) Power Play: 21.2% (8th) Penalty Kill: 90.6% (3rd)
2014-‐15 BLAZERS HIGHS & LOWS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Most Goals Scored: 8, at Victoria Sept 26 Fewest Goals Scored: 0, at Vancouver Oct 17, at Victoria Jan 24, at Vancouver Feb 21 Most Goals Against: 11, at Kelowna Feb 18 Fewest Goals Against: 0, at Tri-‐City Oct 25, vs. Vancouver Jan 17 Most Powerplay Chances For: 7, vs. Prince George Dec 6, at Edmonton Dec 10 Most Powerplay Chances Against: 8, vs. Kelowna Feb 7 Most Powerplay Goals Scored: 3, at Victoria Sept 26, vs. Prince George Dec 6, vs. Seattle Jan 28 Most Powerplay Goals Against: 4, vs. Kelowna Jan 2, at Victoria Jan 24 Most Shots Taken: 49, vs. Saskatoon Dec 2 Fewest Shots Taken: 19, at Spokane Nov 23 Most Shots Against: 45, vs. Vancouver Jan 3 Fewest Shots Against: 14, vs. Victoria Feb 27 Last Shutout: vs. Tri-‐City Feb 9 Last Time Shutout: at Vancouver Feb 21 OT Game Winning Goals: Ryan Rehill, at Seattle Oct 18, Ryan Rehill, at Victoria Jan 23 SO Game Winning Goals: Jake Kryski at Lethbridge Oct 3, Deven Sideroff vs. Vancouver Jan 3, Jake Kryski at Vancouver Jan 31, Jake Kryski vs. Seattle Feb 13
REGULAR SEASON RECORD by MONTH and DAY OF WEEK Month Games Record Home Road Day September 2 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 Monday October 11 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 Tuesday
Games Win Loss OTL SOL 2 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0
Standings Eastern Conference East Division Rank Team 1
Moose Jaw Warriors
GP W 1
1
L OTL SL PTS PCT 0
0
0
2
1.000
GF 3
GA PIM 1
18
Home
Away
P10
STK
1-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
1-0-0-0
1-0-0-0
2
Brandon Wheat Kings
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Prince Albert Raiders
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Saskatoon Blades
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
5
Swift Current Broncos
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0.000
1
3
14
0-0-0-0
0-1-0-0
0-1-0-0
0-1-0-0 STK
6 Regina Pats Central Division Rank Team 1
Calgary Hitmen
GP W 0
0
L OTL SL PTS PCT GF 0
0
0
0
0
0
GA PIM 0
0
Home
Away
P10
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
2
Edmonton Oil Kings
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Kootenay Ice
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Lethbridge Hurricanes
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
5
Medicine Hat Tigers
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
6 Red Deer Rebels Western Conference B.C. Division Rank Team 1
Kamloops Blazers
GP W 0
0
L OTL SL PTS PCT GF 0
0
0
0
0
0
GA PIM 0
0
Home
Away
P10
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
2
Kelowna Rockets
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Prince George Cougars
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Vancouver Giants
5 Victoria Royals U.S. Division Rank Team 1
Everett Silvertips
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
GP W 0
0
L OTL SL PTS PCT GF 0
0
0
0
0
0
GA PIM 0
0
Home
Away
P10
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
2
Portland Winterhawks
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Seattle Thunderbirds
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Spokane Chiefs
5 Tri-City Americans x = Clinched Playoff Position y = Teams who have clinched Division title
Thursday, Sep 24 Regina 1 at Moose Jaw 3 Final
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
Friday, Sep 25 Swift Current at Brandon 7:30 pm CDT Calgary at Kootenay 7:00 pm MDT Medicine Hat at Lethbridge 7:00 pm MDT Prince Albert at Saskatoon 7:05 pm MDT Everett at Prince George 7:00 pm PDT Kamloops at Kelowna 7:05 pm PDT Portland at Victoria 7:05 pm PDT Seattle at Vancouver 7:30 pm PDT
whl.ca
STK
STK
Saturday, Sep 26 Brandon at Swift Current 7:00 pm MDT Edmonton at Red Deer 7:00 pm MDT Kootenay at Calgary 7:00 pm MDT Moose Jaw at Regina 7:00 pm MDT Saskatoon at Prince Albert 7:00 pm MDT Lethbridge at Medicine Hat 7:30 pm MDT Kelowna at Kamloops 7:00 pm PDT Portland at Victoria 7:05 pm PDT Tri-City at Spokane 7:05 pm PDT
NAME ______________________________________PHONE__________________ September 25, 2015 Game One (1) Entry Per Person Per Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby at all Rockets Regular Season Home Games from September 25, 2015 to March 16, 2016 Names will be drawn LIVE on March 19, 2016 vs. Vancouver If you are not in attendance at the game and do not provide a substitute, your entry will become void and another name will be drawn in your place You must be willing to go on to the ice surface to collect your Authentic Jersey
NAME_______________________________________ PHONE______________________________________
September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby Winner Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game
NAME______________________________AGE_____PHONE__________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby Must Be 19 Or Older To Enter 2 Winners Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game
NAME ______________________________________PHONE____________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby Winner Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game
NAME ___________________________________________AGE________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located At The Rockets Fan Information Booth At Prospera Place In Main Entrance Lobby 4 Contestants Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game Winners: Each Team Member Receives A $50 Subway Gift Card Runners Up: Each Team Member Receives A $25 Subway Gift Card Must Be Willing To Go On Ice Must Be 15 Or Older To Enter Contest Will Take Place In The 1st Intermission
NAME ___________________________________________AGE________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located At The Rockets Fan Information Booth At Prospera Place In Main Entrance Lobby 3 Contestants Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game Winner: $50 Black Bear Grill Runners Up: $25 Black Bear Grill Must Be Willing To Go On Ice Must Be 19 Or Older To Enter Contest Will Take Place In The 2nd Intermission
PEPSI SAVE ON FOODS PLAYER OF THE GAME CONTEST You must be 6-12 years of age and a registered Minor Hockey Player. You must be able to skate. FULL hockey equipment, skates and helmet are required. Enter at Save On Foods Locations
HOME HARDWARE STICK BOY/GIRL CONTEST Must be 12 or Under to Enter Enter at Home Hardware
TRU FROZEN YOGURT 3 STAR PRESENTER CONTEST Must be 12 or Under to Enter Enter at TRU Frozen Yogurt
GO TO THE APP STORE ON YOUR SMART PHONE AND DOWNLOAD THE ROCKETS FREE APPLICATION! GET THE ROCKETS PROGRAM PAGE AND FOLLOW THE 50/50 POT AS WELL AS CHECK 50/50 NUMBERS FOR EVERY DRAW.
PLAYER JACKSON WHISTLE MICHAEL HERRINGER
POS G G
SH L L
HT 6'1 6'
WT HOMETOWN 192 West Kelowna, BC 176 Comox, BC
3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19
RILEY STADEL GORDIE BALLHORN* DANNY GATENBY* JONATHAN SMART* LUCAS JOHANSEN TANNER WISHNOWSKI* NICK MERKLEY JORDAN BORSTMAYER* ALEXANDER URYGA* ROURKE CHARTIER TOMAS SOUSTAL KOLE LIND* RODNEY SOUTHAM TATE COUGHLIN DILLON DUBE
F/D D D D D LW C RW LW C C/RW RW C/RW RW C
L L L L L L R R L L R R R R L
5'10 6'1 6'3 5'11½ 6'1 6'0
180 186 174 170 176 186 5'10½ 185 5'11½ 172 6'2¾ 209 5'11 190 6'3 198 6'½ 172 6' 185 6'2 188 5'10¼ 180
Surrey, BC Wetaskiwin, AB Kelowna, BC Kelowna, BC Port Moody, BC Oakbank, MB Calgary, AB St. Brieux, SK North Vancouver, BC Saskatoon, SK Unicov, Czech Rep. Shaunavon, SK Saskatoon, SK Victoria, BC Cochrane, AB
Jan. 16/96 Sept. 2/97 Sept.17/98** June 1/99 Nov. 16/97** Jan. 28/97 May 23/97 Jan. 9/98 June 9/98 Apr. 3/96 Feb. 15/97 Oct. 16/98** Aug 9/96 July 23/97 July 20/98
3 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 19 22 23 24 25 27 29
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
GAGE QUINNEY DEVANTE STEPHENS BRAYDYN CHIZEN* JUSTIN KIRKLAND TYSON BAILLIE CAL FOOTE* COLE LINAKER CALVIN THURKAUF* JOE GATENBY
LW D D LW C D C LW D
L L R L R R R L R
5'11½ 6'1½ 6'6 6'3 5'11 6'3½ 6'1¾ 6'1¼ 6'0
Las Vegas, NV Surrey, BC St. Albert, AB Camrose, AB
July 29/95 Jan. 2/97 May 9/98 Aug. 2/96 Nov. 16/95** Dec. 13/98** July 11/95 June 27/97 May 15/97
32 33 34 37 38 41 42
200 176 190 185 198 198 185 202 185
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Denver, CO Edmonton, AB Zug, Switzerland Kelowna, BC
DOB June 9/95 Jan. 26/96
NO. PLAYER 31 DYLAN FERGUSON 39 CONNOR INGRAM
POS SH G L G L
HT 6' 1 6' 1
WT HOMETOWN 181 Lantzville, BC 195 Imperial, SK
DOB Sept. 20/98 Mar. 31/97
MARC McNULTY MATT REVEL ERIK MILLER JAKE KRYSKI MATT NEEDHAM COLLIN SHIRLEY NICK CHYZOWSKI LUKE HARRISON JESSE ZAHARICHUK QUINN BENJAFIELD SPENCER BAST RYAN REHILL CAMERON REAGAN NOLAN KNEEN MATTHEW CAMPESE
D C C C C LW C RW LW RW RW D D D LW
L R R L L L L R L R R R L R L
6' 6 5' 11 6' 0 5' 11 5' 10 6' 2 6' 0 6' 1 5' 8 6' 1 5' 11 6' 3 6' 1 6' 0 5' 10
210 184 167 175 184 197 184 204 155 182 170 218 200 170 185
Medicine Hat, AB Abbotsford, BC Sherwood Park, AB Vancouver, BC Penticton, BC Saskatoon, SK Kamloops, BC West Kelowna, BC Sherwood Park, AB North Vancouver, BC Macklin, SK Edmonton, AB Sherwood Park, AB Duncan, BC West Kelowna, BC
Apr. 5/95 Apr. 26/96 Mar. 8/99 Aug. 3/98 Apr. 17/95 Mar. 16/96 Jun. 3/97 Oct. 7/95 Apr. 1/97 Feb. 2/98 Jan. 5/97 Nov. 7/95 Jun. 19/97 Mar. 22/99 Dec. 10/97
JERMAINE LOEWEN CONNER McDONALD DEVEN SIDEROFF PATRIK MAIER DAWSON DAVIDSON GARRETT PILON ONDREJ VALA
LW D RW D D C D
L R R L L R L
6' 3 5' 11 5' 11 5' 11 5' 11 5' 11 6' 4
205 171 178 190 181 170 216
Arborg, MB Delta, BC Summerland, BC Bratislava, SVK Moosomin, SK Saskatoon, SK Pardubice, CZE
Jan. 18/98 May 31/99 Apr. 14/97 Nov. 6/96 Apr. 7/98 Apr. 13/98 Apr. 13/98
*Rookie **Late Birthday Affects NHL Draft Status
President/GM: Bruce Hamilton Asst GM/Dir Player Personnel: Lorne Frey Head Coach: Brad Ralph Assistant Coach: Kris Mallette Assistant/Goalie Coach: Travis Crickard Skills Development: Kim Gellert Athletic Therapist/Strength & Conditioning Coach: Scott Hoyer Equipment Manager: Chaydyn Johnson
General Manager: Craig Bonner Head Coach: Don Hay Assistant Coach: Mike Needham Assistant Coach: Terry Bangen Assistant Coach: Chris Murray Goaltender Coach: Dan De Palma Athletic Trainer: Colin Robinson Strength & Conditioning: Greg Kozoris
Referees: Mike LANGIN, Steve PAPP Linesmen: Dustin MINTY, Ward PATEMAN VGJ: Tyler McClellan
Rockets Next Home Game Friday Oct. 9 vs. Victoria - 2015-16 Home Opener (7:05)
Kelowna Rockets Per-Season Statistics 2015-2016 After Game #5 NO. PLAYER GP 19 Dillon Dube 4 16 Kole Lind* 5 20 Gage Quinney 5 25 Cal Foote* 5 4 Gordie Ballhorn* 5 9 Tanner Wishnowski* 5 27 Calvin Thurkauf* 5 7 Lucas Johansen 5 17 Rodney Southam 5 23 Justin Kirkland 2 3 Riley Stadel 2 12 Alexander Uryga* 5 5 Danny Gatenby* 4 2 Connor Bruggen-Cate* 5 22 Ted Brennan* 1 28 Joe Gatenby 5 18 Tate Coughlin 5 11 Jordan Borstmayer* 5 8 Kelvin Hair* 2 29 Liam Kindree* 2 26 Cole Linaker 1 22 Braydyn Chizen* 3 21 Devante Stephens 1 10 Nick Merkley 0 14 Rourke Chartier 0 24 Tyson Baillie 0 15 Tomas Soustal 0 Team Totals 90 Goaltending Statistics NO. PLAYER GP MIN GA 31 Jake Morrissey 3 148 8 30 Michael Herringer 2 88 3 1 Jackson Whistle 2 67 1 Team Totals 7 303 12 Scoring by Periods SOG 1st 2nd 3rd OT Total Rockets 1 3 4 7 0 15 Opponents 0 4 3 5 0 12 Rockets Record after Second Period: When Leading: 1 0 When Losing: 0 1 When Tied: 2 1 First Goal of the Game:
G 3 1 3 0 2 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14
A 3 5 1 4 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
Svs 70 31 30 131
AVE 3.24 2.05 0.90 2.06
0 0 0
When Rockets Score First: 2 0 0 When Opponent Score First: 1 2 0 Home and Away Record: Overall Overtime Home 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Road 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Total 3 2 0 0 0 0 0
PTS 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35
PIM 2 8 0 4 6 4 2 4 6 2 0 10 2 4 0 6 4 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 '64
PPG SHG 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
PCT W L OT 0.932 0 2 0 0.936 2 0 0 0.968 1 0 0 0.945 3 2 0 Shots by Period 1st 2nd Rockets 52 44 Opponents 53 45
SL 0 0 0 0 3rd 43 59
2015-09-25 GW SOG +/0 0/0 -2 0 '0-1 -2 0 0-0 0 0 0/0 -2 0 0/0 0 1 0/0 1 0 0/1 -2 0 '0-0 -3 1 0-0 -2 0 0/0 1 0 '0-0 -2 0 0-0 -1 0 0/0 -1 0 0/0 -1 1 1/1 1 0 0/0 1 0 0/0 -2 0 0/0 -2 0 0-0 0 0 0/0 -1 0 '0-0 -1 0 0'0 -1 0 0/0 -1 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 0 0 0/0 0 3 0 0 SO 0 0 1 1 OT 4 1
Rockets Shots on Goal Record: 0 When Outshooting Opponent: 1 2 0 When Outshot by Opponent: 2 0 0 When Shots Are Tied: 0 0 Rockets Specialty Teams: Power Play: 0 Opp. PPGF SHGA 0 Rockets 33 7 0
PTS 0 0 0 0
PIM 0 0 0 0
Total 144 157 0 0 0
0 0 0 Pct.% 21.2
Shorthanded: Rockets
Opp. 32
PPGA 3
SHGF 1
Pct.% 90.6
Rockets vs. Blazers Friday September 25, 2015 Game Time - 7:05 pm th
Tonight’s Preview: The Rockets organization opens their 25 season in the Western Hockey League tonight when they welcome the visiting Kamloops Blazers. Before tonight’s game, the team will raise a Western Hockey League championship banner to the rafters at Prospera Place after eliminating the Brandon Wheat Kings in four games in last season’s league final. This is the fourth straight season the Rockets have opened at home against the Blazers. Back on September 20, 2014 the Rockets earned a 61 win before a crowd of 5 thousand 325. Tyson Baillie and Kris Schmidli each had a goal and two assists in the win. This is the first of eight meetings between these two teams this season. They renew acquaintances tomorrow night at the newly named Sandman Centre. Last season the Rockets were 9-1-00 against their BC Division rivals, who along with the Vancouver Giants, failed to make the playoffs in 2014-2015. The Rockets have a busy weekend ahead of them with three games in three nights. The Rockets are in Kamloops tomorrow before facing the Giants in Vancouver Sunday. The defending WHL champions play eight of their first 11 games on the road. Banner Raiser: The Kelowna Rockets raise two new banners before tonight’s game after winning the BC Division with 112 points and capturing the WHL title with a series sweep over the regular season champion Brandon Wheat Kings. It is the Rockets fourth WHL championship banner after winning the league crown in 2003 (vs. Red Deer), 2005 (vs. Brandon), 2009 (vs. Calgary) and 2015 (vs. Brandon). The BC Division title is the teams sixth, after earning 30 more points than the Victoria Royals, the BC Divisions second place team last season. The Rockets also won the BC Division in 2013-2014, 2012-2013, 2010-2011, 2003-2004 and 2002-2003. New Kids on the Block: The Kelowna Rockets named 34 year-old Brad Ralph as the head coach on August fourth. Ralph took over from Dan Lambert, who resigned at seasons end to take an assistant coaching position with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. Ralph is the ninth head coach in Rockets franchise history after leaving the Idaho Steelheads after three seasons in the ECHL. On defense, the team welcomes 16 year-old Cal Foote, the son of former NHL’er Adam Foote. Foote was the team’s second round bantam pick in 2013 and his younger brother Nolan was the Rockets second round pick in this past May’s draft. The Rockets selected 18 year-old Swiss forward Calvin Thurkauf in this summer’s CHL Import draft. Other new faces include rookies Danny Gatenby (Joe’s younger brother) and 18 year-old Gordie Ballhorn, who played last season with the AJHL’s Whitecourt Wolverines. Significant off-season losses: Winning a WHL title with an older team means the hockey club lost seven players and a coach following an appearance in the Memorial Cup final in Quebec City. Moving on to pro hockey are Leon Draisaitl, Josh Morrissey, Cole Martin, Chance Braid, Tyrell Goulbourne and Captain Madison Bowey. Defenceman Mitch Wheaton was traded to the Saskatoon Blades in the off season and th head coach Dan Lambert resigned July 6 to take a job in the NHL. My memory is good, just short: For a third straight season the Rockets won 50+ games. With a record of 53-13-5-1, the team accumulated 112 points, two fewer than the regular season champion Brandon Wheat Kings. The Rockets won 26 times on home ice and a league high 27 times on the road. The Rockets were one of only two teams to score 300 or more goals (305) with Brandon leading the way with 340. Lost in the team’s successes last season was allowing a league low 183 goals against. Everett was next at 199. The team eliminated Tri City in round one, Victoria in round two and Portland in the Western Conference final. They quickly dispatched Brandon in the WHL final in four games. Is a repeat in the cards? The Rockets return their top three point producers from last season. Nick Merkley (90 pts), Rourke Chartier (82 pts), and Tyson Baillie (76 pts) are all back with the team. Merkley was taken in the first round of this summer’s NHL draft by the Arizona Coyotes while he and fellow teammate Chartier both attended Team Canada’s summer camp for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships. Baillie received a free agent tryout with the NHL’s Calgary Flames. Jackson Whistle, who played in 50 regular season games and posted a goals against average of 2.55, is back for his 20 year-old season. Whistle suited up for the Vancouver Canucks for a second consecutive season in the Young Stars Classic in Penticton. The hockey club returns 15 players from last season’s championship squad.
This and That: The Rockets had two players taken in the NHL draft. Nick Merkley was taken in the first th round by Arizona. Devante Stephens was chosen in the 5 round by Buffalo…Cole Linaker (Oilers), Tomas Soustal (Flames) and Tyson Baillie (Flames) all received free agent tryouts…Dillon Dube (3+3=6) and Kole Lind (1+5=6) led the team in pre-season scoring…The Rockets were 3-2-0-0 in five games during the pre-season…The CHL Top 10 rankings have the Rockets as the fourth best team in the nation heading into the season. Last year before the puck was dropped the Rockets were ranked fifth….The team’s first ever goal in Kelowna was scored by Brett McLean in the fall of 1995…The Rockets have won the last three home openers against the Blazers. Last season the score was 6-1 and the year prior it was a 5-2 victory…This is the fourth straight season the Rockets open the season against the Blazers…The team plays three games in three nights four times this season but twice in the first two weekends…In the last three seasons, the Rockets have a combined regular season record of 162-40-8-6 in 216 games. Portland is next with a mark of 154-48-5-9 over that same period. Rockets Season Highs and Lows: Most Goals Scored: Most Goals Allowed: Most Power Play Chances: Most Power Play Goals Scored: Most Power Play Goals Allowed: Most Shots Taken: Fewest Shots: Most Shot Allowed: Fewest Shots Allowed: Last Shutout: Last Time Shut Out: Penalty Shots: Shootout Game Winning Goals: OT Game Winning Goal: Most Points by one player: Hat tricks: vs. BC: 0-0-0-0 vs. US: 0-0-0-0 vs. Central: 0-0-0-0 vs. East: 0-0-0-0 Roster Stats: Player total: 27 Year by Year Breakdown: 20’s – 4 Quinney, Linaker, Baillie, Whistle 19’s – 5 Chartier, Stadel, Southam, Kirkland, Herringer 18’s – 9 Johansen, Merkley, Gatenby, Soustal, Stephens, Wishnowski, Coughlin, Thurkauf, Ballmore 17’s - 7 Dube, Danny Gatenby, Lind, Borstmayer, Chizen, Foote, Uryga 16’s – 2 Smart Month Games September: 3 October: 12 November: 11 December: 12 January: 12 February: 13 March: 9
Record 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
Home 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
Road 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0 0-0-0-0
How the Rockets were built: st 1 Rd: Merkley, Chartier, Dube nd 2 Rd: Foote, Gatenby rd 3 Rd: Baillie, Stadel, Borstmayer th 4 Rd: Lind, th 5 Rd: Kirkland th 6 Rd: Linaker, Johansen, Bruggen-Cate th 9 Rd: Chizen Listed: Ballhorn, Coughlin, Stephens, Wishnowski, Danny Gatenby, Trade: Whistle, Herringer, Southam, Quinney CHL Import Draft: Thurkauf, Soustal Game notes compiled by Regan Bartel of AM 1150
2015-16 KAMLOOPS BLAZERS GAME NOTES
September 25, 2015 vs. Kelowna Rockets A NEW SEASON: The Kamloops Blazers franchise is in their 35th season in the Western Hockey League and the 32nd season as the Kamloops Blazers. The Blazers finished the 2014-‐15 season with a 28-‐37-‐4-‐3 record and fell two points short of making the WHL playoffs. The Blazers are returning 17 players from last season’s team. Head Coach Don Hay returns for his second season behind the Blazers bench, while Assistant Coach Mike Needham is starting his first full season behind the Blazers bench after joining the hockey club in October 2014. The Blazers have four 20-‐year-‐olds on the roster; forwards Matt Needham and Luke Harrison and defensemen Ryan Rehill and Marc McNulty. The Blazers have until October 15th to get down to three 20-‐year-‐olds. Vs. Kelowna -‐ Last Season (10-‐Game Series) Game 1: 09/20/14, at Kelowna 6, Kamloops 1 Vs. Kelowna -‐ This Season (8-‐Game Series) Game 2: 10/15/14, vs. Kelowna 6, Kamloops 4 Game 1: 09/25/15, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 3: 12/27/14, at Kelowna 4, Kamloops 2 Game 2: 09/26/15, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 4: 01/02/15, vs. Kelowna 6, Kamloops 4 Game 3: 11/18/15, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 5: 01/09/15, vs. Kelowna 2, Kamloops 1 SO Game 4: 12/27/15, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 6: 02/06/15, at Kelowna 5, Kamloops 3 Game 5: 12/28/15, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 7: 02/07/15, vs. Kelowna 5, Kamloops 2 Game 6: 03/04/16, vs. Kelowna, Kamloops Game 8: 02/18/15, at Kelowna 11, Kamloops 4 Game 7: 03/05/16, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 9: 03/13/15, vs. Kelowna 1, Kamloops 5 Game 8: 03/11/16, at Kelowna, Kamloops Game 10: 03/14/15, at Kelowna 2, Kamloops 1 Blazers are 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 in season series Blazers are 1-‐8-‐0-‐1 in season series ROSTER BREAKDOWN: The Blazers roster currently sits at 24 players (2 goaltenders, 8 defensemen and 14 forwards). The roster includes 12 players selected in the WHL Bantam Draft, six players via trade, four players from the free agent list, and two players selected from the CHL Import Draft. The roster breakdown by region includes 11 players from B.C., five from Alberta, five from Saskatchewan, one from Manitoba, one from Slovakia, and one from Czech Republic. There are 17 WHL veterans on the roster and seven WHL rookies.
BY THE NUMBERS: Marc McNulty played his 200th WHL game in the Blazers season finale last season on March 21st… Matt Needham is the Blazers longest tenured player first suiting up for the hockey club during the 2010-‐11 season… Ryan Rehill surpassed 400 career WHL penalty minutes March 6th against Spokane… Matt Needham has 185 career points in 251 career games with the Blazers… Collin Shirley is one goal shy of 50 in his WHL career… Defenseman Ryan Rehill is 14 games shy of 200 in his WHL career… Matt Revel is two points shy of 100 career points in the WHL.
THE MATCH UP: The Blazers and Rockets are meeting for the first of back-‐to-‐back games in the WHL’s opening weekend. The Rockets won the season series last year with an 8-‐1-‐0-‐1 record. These two teams will meet eight times this season. Following tomorrow night’s game, the Rockets will be back in Kamloops on November 18th, while the Blazers will be in Kelowna next on December 28th.
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS ‘Who to Watch’: The Kamloops Blazers offensive is in the hands of veteran players Matt Needham, Deven Sideroff, Collin Shirley and Matt Revel after Cole Ully graduated to pro hockey. Needham had 25 goals and 76 points last season, while Sideroff had 17 goals and 43 points in his first full season in the WHL. Shirley chipped in with 26 goals and Revel had 34 points for the Blazers. Needham, Shirley and Revel are all players entering their fourth or fifth seasons in the WHL and are the veteran leaders. Luke Harrison is a key 20-‐ year-‐old who will need to build on his 12 goals from last season. Nick Chyzowski enters his third WHL season and will need to factor into the scoring as he grows into a more prominent role. Jake Kryski and Quinn Benjafield are entering their second seasons as 17-‐year-‐olds. They will look to build on their 16-‐year-‐old seasons and get more ice time. The Blazers will need 18-‐year-‐olds Jesse Zaharichuk and Matt Campese to step up into bigger roles this year. Jermaine Loewen still has time to grow and develop. Garrett Pilon, Spencer Bast and Erik Miller are all entering their first seasons with the hockey club. Ryan Rehill and Marc McNulty are the elder statesmen both in their fourth and final season in the WHL. 19-‐year-‐old import Patrik Maier is in his second season and will be counted on in a top-‐4 role. Cam Reagan had limited ice time last season, but will likely be a regular this season. Dawson Davidson impressed as a 16-‐year-‐old and has shown an offensive flair. Ondrej Vala is the hockey club’s newest import player from the Czech Republic. The 17-‐year-‐old possesses size at 6’4” and a solid two way game. Nolan Kneen and Conner McDonald are a pair of 16-‐year-‐olds that will also patrol the backend this season. In goal, Connor Ingram solidified himself as the Blazers starter last season and the 18-‐year-‐old will look to build on the success he had after Christmas last year. Dylan Ferguson has earned the back-‐up role this year. The 17-‐year-‐old impressed during the WHL preseason and will get opportunities to play.
KELOWNA ROCKETS ‘Who to Watch’: The Rockets are the defending WHL Champions and came within a goal of winning the Memorial Cup. A chunk of that team has graduated to professional hockey, but many key members have also returned to the Rockets this season. Tyson Baillie is one of those key players. The 20-‐year-‐old is into his fifth WHL season and has done nothing but score important goals put up points throughout his WHL career. The deadly duo of Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley also return for the Rockets. Chartier and Merkley are both drafted and signed by their respective NHL teams. Both players have a very good chance of making Canada’s National Junior team this season. Cole Linakar and Gage Quinney join Baillie as 20-‐year-‐old forwards on the roster. Dillon Dube is a player to watch. The 17-‐year-‐ old is entering his second WHL season and has shown plenty of offensive flair. Justin Kirkland is another drafted player that will contribute
2015-16 KAMLOOPS BLAZERS GAME NOTES
offensively. Tomas Soustal, Rodney Southam and converted defenseman Riley Stadel all will have pivotal roles for the Rockets. Import player Calvin Thurkauf, Kole Lind and Jordan Borstmayer are all first year forwards that will likely step in and contribute right away. On the backend, the Rockets are young. They return a trio of veterans that all played key minutes last season. Lucas Johansen, Devante Stephens and Joe Gatenby are all only 18, but will be counted on to be the leaders. Cal Foote is a talented first year player from Denver and the son of former NHLer Adam Foote. Gordie Ballhorn is an 18-‐year-‐old rookie that played in the AJHL last season, while Danny Gatenby is the younger brother of Joe Gatenby. In goal, the Rockets are solid as they return 20-‐year-‐old starter Jackson Whistle and 19-‐year-‐old Michael Herringer. NHL DRAFT: Ryan Rehill (New Jersey, 5th round, 131st overall in 2014), Deven Sideroff (Anaheim, 3rd round, 84th overall in 2015).
INJURY REPORT: Matt Revel, Upper Body, one week, Conner McDonald, Upper Body, TBD, Deven Sideroff, Illness, TBD. Man games lost due to injury – 0.
DID YOU KNOW… Don Hay is 2nd in franchise history behind Ken Hitchcock (291) with 172 career regular season wins… Hay is 2nd all-‐time in WHL history behind Ken Hodge (742) with 638 regular season wins… Erik Miller, Garrett Pilon, Ondrej Vala and Dylan Ferguson are all suiting up for the first career WHL regular season game tonight… The Blazers finished last season with 13 WHL rookies on their roster… This season, the Blazers have seven WHL rookies… Defenseman Nolan Kneen and Conner McDonald and forward Spencer Bast are all considered WHL rookies, but each player played games with the Blazers last season… Matt Needham is the longest tenured Blazer first suiting up for the hockey club during the 2010-‐11 season… Defenseman Nolan Kneen attended Canada’s Under-‐17 National Camp in Calgary this past summer… Forward Deven Sideroff won a Bronze Medal with Canada’s Under-‐18 National team in Switzerland this past April… Defenseman Ryan Rehill was returned by the New Jersey Devils to the Blazers on Thursday afternoon… Jermaine Loewen was born in Jamaica and has only been playing hockey for seven years… Matt Needham’s father Mike played for the Blazers from 1986-‐1990… Nick Chyzowski’s father Dave played for the Blazers from 1987-‐1990…
PRE-‐SEASON LEADERS (BLAZERS): • • • • • • • • • •
Goals: Luke Harrison (4) Assists: Jesse Zaharichuk (5) Points: Luke Harrison, Jesse Zaharichuk (7) Penalty Minutes: Patrik Maier (12) Plus/Minus: Five Players (+3) Rookies: Garrett Pilon (4) Goals Against Average: Connor Ingram (3.00) Save Percentage: Dylan Ferguson (.887) Power Play: 8.8% (21st) Penalty Kill: 81.8% (14th)
PRE-‐SEASON LEADERS (ROCKETS) • • • • • • • • • •
Goals: Dillon Dube, Gage Quinney (3) Assists: Kole Lind (5) Points: Dillon Dube, Kole Lind (6) Penalty Minutes: Alexander Uryga (10) Plus/Minus: Three players (+1) Rookies: Kole Lind (6) Goals Against Average: Jackson Whistle (0.89) Save Percentage: Jackson Whistle (.968) Power Play: 21.2% (8th) Penalty Kill: 90.6% (3rd)
2014-‐15 BLAZERS HIGHS & LOWS: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Most Goals Scored: 8, at Victoria Sept 26 Fewest Goals Scored: 0, at Vancouver Oct 17, at Victoria Jan 24, at Vancouver Feb 21 Most Goals Against: 11, at Kelowna Feb 18 Fewest Goals Against: 0, at Tri-‐City Oct 25, vs. Vancouver Jan 17 Most Powerplay Chances For: 7, vs. Prince George Dec 6, at Edmonton Dec 10 Most Powerplay Chances Against: 8, vs. Kelowna Feb 7 Most Powerplay Goals Scored: 3, at Victoria Sept 26, vs. Prince George Dec 6, vs. Seattle Jan 28 Most Powerplay Goals Against: 4, vs. Kelowna Jan 2, at Victoria Jan 24 Most Shots Taken: 49, vs. Saskatoon Dec 2 Fewest Shots Taken: 19, at Spokane Nov 23 Most Shots Against: 45, vs. Vancouver Jan 3 Fewest Shots Against: 14, vs. Victoria Feb 27 Last Shutout: vs. Tri-‐City Feb 9 Last Time Shutout: at Vancouver Feb 21 OT Game Winning Goals: Ryan Rehill, at Seattle Oct 18, Ryan Rehill, at Victoria Jan 23 SO Game Winning Goals: Jake Kryski at Lethbridge Oct 3, Deven Sideroff vs. Vancouver Jan 3, Jake Kryski at Vancouver Jan 31, Jake Kryski vs. Seattle Feb 13
REGULAR SEASON RECORD by MONTH and DAY OF WEEK Month Games Record Home Road Day September 2 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 Monday October 11 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 0-‐0-‐0-‐0 Tuesday
Games Win Loss OTL SOL 2 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0
Standings Eastern Conference East Division Rank Team 1
Moose Jaw Warriors
GP W 1
1
L OTL SL PTS PCT 0
0
0
2
1.000
GF 3
GA PIM 1
18
Home
Away
P10
STK
1-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
1-0-0-0
1-0-0-0
2
Brandon Wheat Kings
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Prince Albert Raiders
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Saskatoon Blades
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
5
Swift Current Broncos
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0.000
1
3
14
0-0-0-0
0-1-0-0
0-1-0-0
0-1-0-0 STK
6 Regina Pats Central Division Rank Team 1
Calgary Hitmen
GP W 0
0
L OTL SL PTS PCT GF 0
0
0
0
0
0
GA PIM 0
0
Home
Away
P10
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
2
Edmonton Oil Kings
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Kootenay Ice
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Lethbridge Hurricanes
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
5
Medicine Hat Tigers
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
6 Red Deer Rebels Western Conference B.C. Division Rank Team 1
Kamloops Blazers
GP W 0
0
L OTL SL PTS PCT GF 0
0
0
0
0
0
GA PIM 0
0
Home
Away
P10
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
2
Kelowna Rockets
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Prince George Cougars
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Vancouver Giants
5 Victoria Royals U.S. Division Rank Team 1
Everett Silvertips
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
GP W 0
0
L OTL SL PTS PCT GF 0
0
0
0
0
0
GA PIM 0
0
Home
Away
P10
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
2
Portland Winterhawks
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
3
Seattle Thunderbirds
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
4
Spokane Chiefs
5 Tri-City Americans x = Clinched Playoff Position y = Teams who have clinched Division title
Thursday, Sep 24 Regina 1 at Moose Jaw 3 Final
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
0-0-0-0
Friday, Sep 25 Swift Current at Brandon 7:30 pm CDT Calgary at Kootenay 7:00 pm MDT Medicine Hat at Lethbridge 7:00 pm MDT Prince Albert at Saskatoon 7:05 pm MDT Everett at Prince George 7:00 pm PDT Kamloops at Kelowna 7:05 pm PDT Portland at Victoria 7:05 pm PDT Seattle at Vancouver 7:30 pm PDT
whl.ca
STK
STK
Saturday, Sep 26 Brandon at Swift Current 7:00 pm MDT Edmonton at Red Deer 7:00 pm MDT Kootenay at Calgary 7:00 pm MDT Moose Jaw at Regina 7:00 pm MDT Saskatoon at Prince Albert 7:00 pm MDT Lethbridge at Medicine Hat 7:30 pm MDT Kelowna at Kamloops 7:00 pm PDT Portland at Victoria 7:05 pm PDT Tri-City at Spokane 7:05 pm PDT
NAME ______________________________________PHONE__________________ September 25, 2015 Game One (1) Entry Per Person Per Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby at all Rockets Regular Season Home Games from September 25, 2015 to March 16, 2016 Names will be drawn LIVE on March 19, 2016 vs. Vancouver If you are not in attendance at the game and do not provide a substitute, your entry will become void and another name will be drawn in your place You must be willing to go on to the ice surface to collect your Authentic Jersey
NAME_______________________________________ PHONE______________________________________
September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby Winner Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game
NAME______________________________AGE_____PHONE__________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby Must Be 19 Or Older To Enter 2 Winners Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game
NAME ______________________________________PHONE____________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located at the Rockets Fan Information Booth at Prospera Place in Main Entrance Lobby Winner Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game
NAME ___________________________________________AGE________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located At The Rockets Fan Information Booth At Prospera Place In Main Entrance Lobby 4 Contestants Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game Winners: Each Team Member Receives A $50 Subway Gift Card Runners Up: Each Team Member Receives A $25 Subway Gift Card Must Be Willing To Go On Ice Must Be 15 Or Older To Enter Contest Will Take Place In The 1st Intermission
NAME ___________________________________________AGE________________ September 25, 2015 Game Entry Box Located At The Rockets Fan Information Booth At Prospera Place In Main Entrance Lobby 3 Contestants Will Be Announced At Tonight’s Game Winner: $50 Black Bear Grill Runners Up: $25 Black Bear Grill Must Be Willing To Go On Ice Must Be 19 Or Older To Enter Contest Will Take Place In The 2nd Intermission
PEPSI SAVE ON FOODS PLAYER OF THE GAME CONTEST You must be 6-12 years of age and a registered Minor Hockey Player. You must be able to skate. FULL hockey equipment, skates and helmet are required. Enter at Save On Foods Locations
HOME HARDWARE STICK BOY/GIRL CONTEST Must be 12 or Under to Enter Enter at Home Hardware
TRU FROZEN YOGURT 3 STAR PRESENTER CONTEST Must be 12 or Under to Enter Enter at TRU Frozen Yogurt
GO TO THE APP STORE ON YOUR SMART PHONE AND DOWNLOAD THE ROCKETS FREE APPLICATION! GET THE ROCKETS PROGRAM PAGE AND FOLLOW THE 50/50 POT AS WELL AS CHECK 50/50 NUMBERS FOR EVERY DRAW.
