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Tonight, the Kelowna Rockets will get their 2022-23 season going when they host the Portland Winterhawks from Prospera Place at 7:05 pm.
Since their better-than-expected season last year, with a surprise second place in the BC Division, Kelowna will look to build on that, through two exciting young players.
The first, Andrew Cristall, is a human highlight reel. Despite the sleek 5 ft 10 in frame, the 17-year-old Vancouver native put on a show last season, including a 'wow' goal against the same Winterhawks in November of 2021.
Cristall is expected to go in the first round of the NHL draft next year and will assuredly be giving Rockets fans much to cheer about throughout the season.
Caden Price, the 17-year-old native of Saskatoon, is also expected to hear his name called next year.
The defenceman had 21 points last season for the Rockets and was also a member of Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he provided five points in five games en route to the gold.
Price will anchor the blue line along with Noah Dorey, who most recently spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, playing for the club at last week's Penticton Young Stars event.
Between the pipes, the Talyn Boyko- Jari Kykkanen duo will be returning. Currently however, Boyko is participating in the New York Rangers training camp, after being drafted by the team in the fourth round in 2021's draft. Kykkanen will handle the first few games and will hope to improve upon his .897 save percentage that he had last season.
The Rockets bitter rival, Kamloops Blazers, will be hosting the Memorial Cup this year, putting even more pressure and emphasis on games between the two clubs, as Kelowna will look to make it to the Cup as the second WHL team.
You can purchase tickets to the home opener against the Winterhawks and all the other 33 home games here.
After Saturday's match, Kelowna will have six days off before playing again, as Friday and Saturday next week will feature a doubleheader against the Cougars in Prince George.
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