Despite a league-wide shutdown, business of hockey continues

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

The cancellation of the Western Hockey League season and uncertainty of what lies ahead hasn't halted the hockey operations side from moving forward.

Despite a halt of the season, including the Memorial Cup, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams continue to make preparations for next season.

The Kelowna Rockets Monday completed a deal with the Edmonton Oil Kings, acquiring 20-year forward David Kope.

The Rockets gave up a fourth-round bantam pick in the 2023 draft.

Kope, a 6'4" forward amassed 13 goals and 24 assists in 59 games with the Oil Kings this past season. He also had 24 penalty minutes.

"With Dillon Hamaliuk signed by the San Jose Sharks, we aren't sure if he will be assigned back here for the upcoming season," said Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton.

"In order to add more depth, the opportunity to add another big body was there and we took advantage of it."

Kope has picked up 90 points and 83 penalty minutes in 183 games over three WHL seasons, all with the Oil Kings.

The native of Edmonton was selected in the eighth round of the 2015 bantam draft.