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September 15, 2014 - 11:18 AM
KELOWNA - The Kelowna Rockets roster has been a little tight with seven veteran players away at NHL hockey camps, but they'll be unified in time for the first 2014-15 season game this Saturday against their historic rival, the Kamloops Blazers.
Though the roster was trimmed in advance of the season, Jackson Whistle (Vancouver), Madison Bowey (Washington), Mitch Wheaton (Detroit), Justin Kirkland (Nashville), Rourke Chartier, Tyson Baillie and Dalton Yorke (San Jose) are expected back before Saturday. Two others, twenty-year-olds Damon Severson (New Jersey) and Ryan Olsen (Winnipeg) are not expected to return to the team this year.
A few others were released back to their hometown or junior hockey teams. Prospects Jordan Borstmayer and Kole Lind will play for the Saskatoon Contacts Midget AAA team this year while Alexander Uryga has been released to the Grandview Steelers junior B team.
Braydyn Chizen was released back to his hometown minor hockey program in St. Albert, Alta.
During the final pre-season game this past Saturday night, Kelowna took a hit against the Victoria Royals.
They started strong, with Colton Heffley and Kris Schmidli taking control of the ice and driving the team to a 2-0 lead, but two power plays in the second period by the Royals sparked the comeback.
It was hard fought, with prospect Jake Morrissey facing 19 shots on the net. The end result was 3-2 for Victoria.
The first 2014-15 season game takes place Saturday, Sept. 20 at Prospera Place where the Rockets will host the Kamloops Blazers, starting at 7 p.m.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014