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72 games. 45 wins. 24 young men.
The Kelowna Rockets annual awards banquet took place at the Kelowna Community Theatre on sunny, Sunday afternoon, and the 24 young men that we've enjoyed watching this season prepared for the upcoming WHL playoffs by celebrating their victories.
With early season struggles, the Rockets were not expected to go far this year. Thriving on adversity, these boys showed what they're made of in the latter half of the season, finishing second in the B.C. division and with the most goals scored in the Western Conference.
At KelownaNow, we never count these boys out. We're proud to cover this team and help to celebrate their victories as if they were our own.
Without further ado....
Awards Winners
Top Defenceman and Plus Minus Award - Cal Foote
Top Scorer and Most Improved Player Award - Kole Lind
Scholastic Player Award - Konrad Belcourt
Rookie of the Year - Nolan Foote
Top Defensive Forward - Rodney Southam
Most Valuable Player Award - Calvin Thurkauf
Humanitarian Award - Nick Merkley
Unsung Hero - Devante Stephens
Most Sportsmanlike - Lucas Johansen
One of the most important celebrations of the event is that of the 20-year-old graduates. Leaving the Rockets this year will be Reid Gardiner, Michael Herringer and captain Rodney Southam. Southam nailed his end of year speech, stating that: "There wasn't a day we didn't believe we were the best team in this league."
Next up, the team will face off against the Kamloops Blazers in the first round of the WHL playoffs.
A common theme in the acceptance speeches was that the boys are looking forward to a long playoff run, and we are too!
For coverage of Kelowna Rockets upcoming playoff games, and of the recently completed regular season, click here.
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