Rocket battles heat up

Photo: Kelowna Rockets

While the real meaningful games won't be played for another three weeks, for a handful of Kelowna Rockets prospects, the next two weeks are crucial.

As training camp comes to a close, the next two weeks will determine where some of these players ply their trade this hockey season.

And for some veterans, it's their chance to show, against WHL competition, why they deserve to hold onto their jobs.

Head coach Jason Smith says the competition has been fierce, but healthy during camp.

"I think having competition and having younger players that look like they might be close to being able to play in the league and be contributing players is a great sign for your organization. It's a great way for your team to take steps forward, by having guys pushing, fighting and competing for spots," said Smith after Thursday's on-ice session.

"At this point, it's been competitive. Now that the games have meaning, and you're going to be playing against competition, it's important for the young guys to continue to push and for the veteran guys to step up as well."

Regardless of how the roster eventually shakes down, the Rockets will find themselves with a significant roster shake up.

For the first time in several years, the Rockets will not be returning a significant number of marquee names. Most of the returning vets had a complimentary role with the team last season.

They will have to replace 141 goals and 321 scoring points from last season's top four point getters in Kole Lind, Dillon Dube, Carsen Twarynski and Cal Foote.

"We're going to need guys that had an opportunity to play with real good players...while not being relied upon and having the pressure to be the go-to-guys are going to be the go-to-guys now.

"They have to embrace that challenge and be excited about it."

Players such as Kyle Topping, Conner Bruggen-Cate, Leif Mattson, Liam Kindree, Nolan Foote and Erik Gardiner will have to fill some of that gap.

Kaeden Korczak and Libor Zabransky will be asked to help lead a young back end.

Unlike previous years, the Rockets don't expect to lose a lot of players to pro camps, with only defenceman Braydyn Chizen expected to miss time at an NHL camp.

"It's a good opportunity with the young group we have to put in some quality work as units. The last couple of years we've had five, six or seven guys gone for portions of training camp.

"Every time we got one or two guys back, it felt like we were starting over. This year we will have an opportunity from the start to really dial things in and make sure we're all on the same page."

The Rockets will host Victoria Friday and Prince George Saturday to kick off the pre season schedule.