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Heroes welcome for Kelowna Rockets

The Memorial Cup finalists Kelowna Rockets were welcomed home by fans outside Prospera Place Monday.

KELOWNA – Around 100 fans lined the VIP entrance to Prospera Place this afternoon to welcome home the second best team in Canadian Hockey League.

The Kelowna Rockets charter bus rolled up to their home arena Monday, June 1 just before 2 p.m. to throngs of flag-waving, jersey-wearing fans of all ages.

As they got off the bus, chants of Go Rockets Go, led by Kelowna mayor Colin Basran, erupted from the crowd breaking the somber mood. Some of those in attendance waited outside in the sweltering heat for up to an hour to remind the team their efforts are appreciated.

Shasta Fox, 10, of Kelowna says she came with her mom to congratulate the team on all their hard work.

“I was glad that they just made it to the finals,” she says. “They are all winners.”

Kelowna star and former NHL player Leon Draisaitl led the tournament with seven points and was named tournament MVP.

“It was a great experience for myself, I learned a lot coming back to juniors especially with the winning attitude the Kelowna Rockets have,” he says. “They are going to have so much success in the future.”

Defenceman Cole Martin says his last game with the Rockets was one he’d never forget.

“It wasn’t the outcome we were looking for but it was an awesome experience,” he says. “We want to thank the fans for supporting us we couldn’t have done it without them.”

The Rockets lost in the Memorial Cup final 2-1 in overtime Sunday despite outshooting the Oshawa Generals 38-26.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015
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