Kris Mallette named assistant for Under-17 Challenge

Photo: Marissa Baecker/Kelowna Rockets

Kelowna Rockets head coach Kris Mallette may be doing a bit of moonlighting later in the fall.

Mallette, who replaced Adam Foote behind the Kelowna bench near the end of last season, has been named an assistant coach for one of Canada's entries at the World Under-17 Challenge.

He was one of eight WHL personnel named to positions for the annual tournament.

Mallette will serve as assistant coach for Team Red. Chris Lazary, head coach of Saginaw in the OHL will serve as head coach of Team Red.

Kelowna native Jason Smart was named to the scouting staff.

The annual under-17 tournament is scheduled to be played in November in Summerside, PEI.

That could change depending on where the sport stands in the fall due to COVID-19.

Meantime, 113 players, including 35 drafted by WHL clubs, were invited to a virtual summer camp ahead of the event.

The players will be split into six teams for the week-long virtual camp, participating in a variety of sessions with a focus on player development through online education.

No members of the Kelowna Rockets were selected to the camp.