Quinney a happy Rocket

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Gage Quinney (20) is happy to be a Kelowna Rocket after being dealt by the lowly Prince Albert Raiders in December.

The Kelowna Rockets needed a body to come back from Prince Albert when they sent Jesse Lees and Austin Glover eastward for defenceman Josh Morrissey.

Days earlier they had moved overage forward Colton Heffley to the same Raiders for a 2016 draft choice.

The body to join Morrissey in Kelowna was forward Gage Quinney.

The 19-year-old forward didn't set the world on fire offensively in Prince Albert. In two seasons as a Raiders, Quinney had 14 goals and 31 points in 95 regular season and playoff games.

In 53 games since coming to the Rockets Quinney has scored 16 times and 44 points in 53 regular and post season games.

He has been asked to play a more offensive role and he has thrived with a step up in quality as far as linemates are concerned.

He has played with numerous forwards since coming to the Rockets including former Raider teammate Leon Draisaitl.

"When we got Gage in the trade certainly we needed a body and I don't know exactly how it became Gage Quinney but I'm thankful it became Gage Quinney," said Rockets head coach Dan Lambert in talking about the acquisition.

"I think he was really asked to play a defensive role there and they were more of a defensive minded team. I played with his dad who was an extremely gifted hockey player offensively. I thought maybe there was some offense there but to be honest with you I had no idea how good Gage could be and how much he could help our hockey club."

Quinney said the difference in his game in Kelowna has been the added offensively responsibility he has been given.

"In PA we played more of a defensive style game so I didn't really have the chance," said Quinney.

The gamble the Rockets took in the Las Vegas native has more than paid off in spades.

Two of his six playoff goals have been game winners including an overtime goal which eliminated Tri-City way back in game one.

As a plus defensive player he also gives the Rockets a defensively responsible forward who knows the value of playing well in his own end of the rink.

Of course, going to a team that had the attitude of going to a Memorial Cup didn't hurt either.

"I kind of look back and see how lucky I was to get traded to Kelowna, win the league and now off to the Memorial Cup. It's pretty exciting.

"At first I was kind of shocked and didn't really know what to expect.  When I got here I was excited."

Winning a division title and a league championship are nice but Quinney agrees there is more work ahead.

"It's really exciting but we still have stuff to do there," said Quinney who admitted the team is preparing like they would for any other game.

"I think when the game starts Friday night that's when it'll hit us. But for now, it's just a tournament we're going to, like when we were in youth hockey. It'll be fun."

The Rockets leave today for Quebec City. They will face the host Remparts in the tournament opener Friday night then get two days off before taking on Rimouski Monday and Oshawa Tuesday.