Local Community Advertising
(UPDATE: Sept. 19 @ 6:35 am) - It's almost all hands on deck for the Kelowna Rockets.
Kaedan Korczak was returned to the team by the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday afternoon, which means just one Rocket remains at NHL training camp.
Get hyped, @Korczak21 is headed back to Kelowna in time for the home opener!
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) September 18, 2019
Details ➡️ https://t.co/WXL0kTqByf pic.twitter.com/Cp0szgUNUd
That remaining player is Nolan Foote, who got into his first NHL preseason game with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.
"He didn't look 18 years old," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said of Foote.
"I'm sure it's nerve racking to get into your 1st game like that, but he showed well. He's big, strong. Another kid that won his battles. If that's the floor for him, he's got a bright future."
Despite his impressive showing, Foote could still be returned to Kelowna by the weekend as NHL teams continue to reduce their rosters.
The Rockets open the season on Saturday night when they'll host the Spokane Chiefs at Prospera Place.
(UPDATE: Sept. 18 @ 11:35 am) - Less than 24 hours after Dillon Hamaliuk was returned to Kelowna by the San Jose Sharks, the Rockets have another important player rejoining the team.
The Philadelphia Flyers reassigned Sean Comrie from his amateur tryout and he's heading back to join his Rockets teammates ahead of Saturday's opener.
Sean Comrie is on his way back to Kelowna.
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) September 18, 2019
Details ➡️ https://t.co/MEb7b78n67 pic.twitter.com/STUNkqGXJD
Kelowna acquired Comrie's rights from the Brandon Wheat Kings on the same day that they made a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds during the 2019 WHL bantam draft.
They convinced him to leave the University of Denver, where he played hockey last year, to join the Rockets for what will be a memorable season in Kelowna.
Comrie is expected to suit up on Saturday.
(Original story: Sept. 18 @ 7 am) - The Kelowna Rockets’ opening night roster just got a major boost.
Dillon Hamaliuk, who was acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds at the 2019 WHL bantam draft, has been returned to the team by the San Jose Sharks.
Hamaliuk was at Sharks camp after being selected by the team in the second round, 55th overall, at the 2019 NHL entry draft.
Last season, the 18-year-old forward had 11 goals and 15 assists in 31 games before being sidelined with a season-ending injury in December.
To make room for Hamaliuk on the roster, 2003-born defenceman Noah Dorey has been re-assigned.
Kelowna is still without Nolan Foote, Kaedan Korczak and Sean Comrie who all remain at NHL training camps.
The Spokane Chiefs will be in town for Saturday’s home opener and the puck will drop at 7 pm.
Local Community Advertising