BC firm's materials in space
$10K discrimination ruling
Quesnel pulp mill sold
Inquiry into B.C. port strike
Is decaf coffee bad for you?
Ex-cop tries to quash charge
PM pledges deportations
Trump trial arguments begin
Ghost guns to high court
Nude Beverages sells line
Wealth gap widening
Canadian Honda EV plant 
Leafs even series
Cristall gets pro look
Warriors even series in OT
Swift breaks Spotify record
Cudi Coachella set cut short
Bon Jovi 'hasn't been a saint'
A lot will be new for the Kelowna Rockets when they open the 2016-2017 Western Hockey League season Friday night in Kamloops.
The Rockets enter the season with a new head coach, a new starting goaltender and some fresh, new faces.
One of those new faces will be very familiar to Blazer players, coaches and fans.
Jake Kryski, an 18-year-old forward, was acquired during the offseason in a deal which sent brothers Joe and Danny Gatenby to Kamloops.
Kryski, maligned at times for his lack of production in Kamloops, was hot during the exhibition season, scoring four times and adding four assists in five games.
He had two goals and three assists in three games against his former team.
"First, I wanted to show Kelowna's management what I've got, and kind of shove it in the other guy's faces," said Kryski of added motivation against the Blazers.
"Even if they are still my buddies, I want to play hard against them and win."
That won't change this weekend as the two teams meet in back-to-back nights.
"Regular season games mean a whole lot more than pre-season games obviously. We'll be coming out hard and trying to win both."
Kryski has played much of the pre-season with Kole Lind and Kyle Topping.
While the team doesn't have any set lines, Kryski said the three have meshed pretty well together and have been able to create some scoring chances.
Head coach Jason Smith agreed it will be a work-in-progress until everyone is back from NHL camps, but he thinks Kryski and Lind will start the season together.
As for what he's seen from Kryski through practice and pre-season.
"I think he's obviously a skilled player. He likes to be involved in the game," said Smith.
"His puck skills and vision with the puck is something that will be a real positive addition to our team."
The Rockets finished pre-season with a 3-2 record, including a 5-3 setback to Vancouver when they had just 14 skaters due to NHL commitments.
It's been confirmed both defenceman Gordie Ballhorn and forward Tomas Soustal will be back in time for Friday's opener.
The availability of the other six in NHL camps is still up in the air.
The Rockets and Blazers will make a return trip to Kelowna for the Rocket's home opener Saturday at Prospera Place.
