Sports

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Rockets

New Rockets acquisitions J.T. Barnett (left) and Dylen McKinlay combined for six points in the Rockets' final exhibition game last Saturday.

With the departure of a couple of younger players, the Kelowna Rockets have trimmed their roster in time for their first regular season game of the 2012-13 road to the Memorial Cup.

The Rockets sent second-year forward Tanner Moar and defenceman Stewart Coyle to the Vancouver Giants in exchange for two Western Hockey League bantam draft picks.

The bantam prospects include a fourth round pick in the 2014 draft as well as a sixth round pick in 2015.

"We had too many players, and we are happy that we could find a place for Tanner and Stewart to play," said Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton.

Meanwhile, the acquisitions of WHL veterans J.T. Barnett and Dylen McKinlay paid off quickly for the team, as the two combined for six points in the 8-1 trouncing of the Tri-City Americans last Saturday, the Rockets' final exhibition game.

The Rockets finished the six-game exhibition round at .500 (2-2-0-2).

The Rockets open their season Friday night in Kamloops to take on the Blazers, with the Blazers busing to Kelowna for a rematch Saturday in the Rockets' home opener.