害羞草研究所楪reat memories here害羞草研究所�: Kelowna Rockets honouring retiring WHL commissioner

The Kelowna Rockets are looking to get back into the win column in what害羞草研究所檚 going to be a special night at Prospera Place on Friday.

Before the Rockets host the Vancouver Giants on Jan., the team will honour WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, who害羞草研究所檚 stepping out of his role on Feb. 15 and retiring at the end of the season.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 always great to get back to one of my favourite markets, great memories here,害羞草研究所� said Robison on Friday afternoon in a media availability.

Robison and Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton have worked together during their time in the league as Hamilton has been the WHL害羞草研究所檚 chairmen of the board during Robison害羞草研究所檚 tenure.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been an honour and a privilege to represent this league for 24 years,害羞草研究所� said Robison. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e been very fortunate to have great support from our board of governors, and ownerships in this league, and I marvel at their commitment to our players. I think if we focused on one thing, we really made significant improvements to the player experience, we continue to work on that. We got the world害羞草研究所檚 best development league and we focus heavily on making sure we always have a respectful environment for our players.害羞草研究所�

Robison stated over the past 24 years in the league, there害羞草研究所檚 been tremendous growth in every aspect of the game.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a team effort, we have an exceptional staff in Calgary that害羞草研究所檚 been working with me at the WHL office,害羞草研究所� said Robison. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e been able to grow the game in many areas. We worked extremely hard on not only promoting the league but technology and through the advancements there.害羞草研究所�

On top of that, Robison and the league office have created a scholarship program that every player in the league receives as well as a development program for coaches and officials and improvements to the league害羞草研究所檚 facilities and the fan experience.

One of Robison害羞草研究所檚 best memories is when the Rockets hoisted the Memorial Cup on home ice nearly 20 years ago.

害羞草研究所淭he first memory certainly is the 2004 Memorial Cup, watching the Rockets win on home ice, I don害羞草研究所檛 think anything will ever match that,害羞草研究所� said Robison. 害羞草研究所淭he playoff runs, excitement in this building, players they害羞草研究所檝e developed, the work the Hamiltons have done in this community, and building this franchise into arguably one of the top franchises not only in the Western Hockey League but the entire Canadian Hockey League. Kelowna hosting the Memorial Cup in 2004 really raised the bar to the standard of the event both on and off the ice but the community embraced it in a way that we had never really seen before.害羞草研究所�

Being able to work with Hamilton and his leadership has helped Robison greatly in his role and has helped the entire league.

害羞草研究所淭o have that continuity and strength at the board level is very important for any commissioner and I害羞草研究所檝e been fortunate to benefit from Bruce害羞草研究所檚 leadership in the league as well at the club level and support from all the ownerships. I really appreciate that,害羞草研究所� said Robinson.

He added a lot went into this decision to retire, but he wanted to make sure the WHL was fully recovered from the pandemic, when the league shut down, much like nearly everything else. In the last three years, the franchises have been stable as they have recovered back to pre-pandemic numbers.

害羞草研究所淚 feel good about that,害羞草研究所� added Robison.

After Feb. 15, Robison will be an advisor for the rest of the season as the transition period continues but he said the league is in good hands.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been very good, I害羞草研究所檝e been very pleased to work alongside Dan Near for the past few weeks, he害羞草研究所檚 going to be a great addition to our league,害羞草研究所� said Robison. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 got a tremendous background in the business of the game having worked with the NHL and Adidas and I know he害羞草研究所檚 really excited to get started in the role, he害羞草研究所檚 going to provide real good leadership.害羞草研究所�

Over a 24-year run as the league害羞草研究所檚 commissioner, Robison has a lot of moments he won害羞草研究所檛 soon forget.

害羞草研究所淎 lot of memories about great experiences. I think about championship series, trophy presentations, the quality of hockey and how it害羞草研究所檚 changed. The real pride you take in seeing players move on to the NHL and professional hockey use the scholarship program and go on to successful business careers. I害羞草研究所檝e got a lot of messages from alumni that appreciated it over the years.害羞草研究所�

Going onto Friday night害羞草研究所檚 contest, the Rockets are sixth in the Western Conference with a record of 20-19-2-0 while the Giants are 17-23-2-0, six points behind Kelowna.

Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. at Prospera Place.

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