MVP humble to the end

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Rockets owner Bruce Hamilton honoured the three players graduating from junior hockey following this season.

Rourke Chartier is not comfortable talking about himself.

He prefers to do his talking on the ice.

The 18-year-old Saskatoon native did a lot of talking this season leading the Rockets with 48 goals culminating with being named the team's regular season Most Valuable Player.

There's not a lot not to like about what Chartier did on the ice for the Rockets.

His 48 goals were third in the league and the most for a Rocket since Justin Keller scored 51 during the 2005-2006 season.

He led the league with 10 game winning goals, was third with 14 power-play goals and 10th with three short handed goals.

"You look at the names who have won it before but at the same time I owe a lot to my teammates. They were great this year and I know there were lots of other guys on this team that were deserving of this as well," said Chartier who called the accolade a huge honour.

Even when pressed to accept some credit for his season Chartier deflected praise onto his linemates and teammates preferring also to look ahead to "the real season," which starts Friday against Tri-City.

Chartier, also named the Rockets Most Sportsmanlike Player said he doesn't feel any additional pressure to be a leader in the room.

"Not so much...we brought in some older guys and they are leader themselves. There are enough leaders in  this room that I know will step up," said Chartier.

Rookie Devante Stephens also walked away with a pair of awards.

Stephens was named Rookie of the Year and Most Improved.

The Surrey native said that while he has learned a lot from defensive partner Madison Bowey it was the time when Bowey wasn't with the team that his game really took off.

"After a few guys went to world junior's and I got a little more ice time I got a little more comfortable out there and my game really started to shine after that," said Stephens.

"At the beginning I wasn't getting too much (ice time). It's hard if you're not playing too much to get used to it. After they left...I think that's when my game took a turn."

Stephens finished the year with four goals, 11 points and a plus 17 rating.

Other award winners announced during the club's annual awards ceremony at the Kelowna Community Theatre include:

• Tyson Baillie - Humanitarian
• Madison Bowey - Top defenceman
• Cole Linaker - Defensive forward
• Joe Gatenby - Scholastic
• Rodney Southam - Unsung hero
• Cole Martin - Plus minus leader at plus 43
• Nick Merkley - Leading scorer with 90 points

The Rockets also honoured their three graduating overage players, Tyrell Goulbourne, Cole Martin and Chance Braid.

While Braid joined the team partway through the season both Martin and Goulbourne are long time Rockets.

Martin is completing his fourth full season while Goulbourne played parts of six seasons with the team.

Both told the younger players to enjoy the ride because the end of the line comes before you know it.

"It was a great run for all of us and it's kind of an emotional time but it's bittersweet because we still have a lot of hockey left," said Goulbourne.

"I'm excited for it and it's like another season is starting next week. I think we're all excited for it and we're ready to finish off strong."

Goulbourne has been one of, if not the, toughest players in the Western Hockey League.

While it's a role he has embraced and enjoyed over the years he said he remembers being sent home the first half of his first season because he wasn't playing that role.

"I came back and really started to develop into the player I was with a lot of help from Ryan Cuthbert who pushed me to be that type of player," said Goulbourne.

"I really enjoy playing that role and I ended up being pretty good at it. I didn't have to do it as much this year because we have a lot of other guys who can fill that role...and I can contribute to more than just that."

Goulbourne and the Rockets will begin Monday to prepare for their first round playoff series against the Tri-City Americans.

The opening two games of the series will be played Friday and Saturday at Prospera Place.