When the opportunity to trade for surfaced last year, the didn害羞草研究所檛 hesitate.
Giving up a eighth-round bantam draft pick in 2017 turned out to be a small price to pay for the skilled forward from Stonewall, MB.
害羞草研究所淲e knew he was a good player, he was a very good bantam and a guy who could score,害羞草研究所� Rockets害羞草研究所� player personnel director Lorne Frey said of Mattson. 害羞草研究所淲hen the (Brandon) Wheat Kings gave us a call about him, there was no hesitation, no reason not to take a chance, and it害羞草研究所檚 worked out very well.害羞草研究所�
split the D before finishing with a little forehand-backhand to pull the boys ahead 1-0 馃殌馃悏
害羞草研究所� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
Like most young players growing up in Manitoba, Mattson害羞草研究所檚 earliest hockey aspiration was to play close to home for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
And after being chosen in the eighth round of the 2014 draft by the Wheat Kings, that dream looked to be on track.
But after stops in Alberta with St. Albert midget AAA Raiders and junior A害羞草研究所檚 Drumheller Dragons, Mattson害羞草研究所檚 career changed directions last October when he was dealt to the Rockets.
害羞草研究所淚 was really excited when I was picked by Brandon, it was the closest team to where I grew up and was really nice for me and my family when it happened,害羞草研究所� said Mattson. 害羞草研究所淏ut things change in hockey and when the Rockets traded for me, I was super excited, too. I saw it as a new opportunity and Kelowna is a pretty sweet spot to be, because of the organization and the city.害羞草研究所�
In acquiring Mattson, the Rockets helped alleviate a depth shortage in their group of 1999-born forwards.
After joining Kelowna last season, the 6-foot, 200-pound forward put up nine goals and 14 points in 45 games. This season, with an increased role and more ice time害羞草研究所攁nd despite missing nine games with injury害羞草研究所擬attson, 18, has five goals and two assists in eight games.
Frey said Mattson, as hoped, has shown steady improvement in all facets of his game.
害羞草研究所淗e came on at the end of last year and I think at the time it was a question of getting his conditioning where it needed to be,害羞草研究所� Frey said. 害羞草研究所淗e worked extremely hard at (conditioning) in the summer and worked with (skating coach) Evan Marble to really improve his skating.
害羞草研究所淲e knew he would score, but he害羞草研究所檚 put time and effort into his game and it害羞草研究所檚 showing,害羞草研究所� Frey added. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 gaining confidence and feeling better about himself, so he害羞草研究所檚 just going to get better.害羞草研究所�
From Mattson害羞草研究所檚 perspective, his move to Kelowna a year ago has unfolded pretty much according to plan.
害羞草研究所淚 knew my role was going to expand greatly this year and I wanted to be prepared for that,害羞草研究所� Mattson said. 害羞草研究所淚 wanted to improve and have a bigger impact and I feel like I害羞草研究所檓 working towards that.
害羞草研究所淲e have some good talent on this team,害羞草研究所� he added, 害羞草研究所渢he atmosphere in the dressing room and the coaches are positive, it害羞草研究所檚 just a good situation for me to be in. I害羞草研究所檓 super grateful to be a Kelowna Rocket.害羞草研究所�
Rocket Shots害羞草研究所�
Kelowna forward Erik Gardiner remains sidelined for an indefinite period after suffering a head injury Oct. 27 against the Tri-City Americans. Gardiner, 18, was struck on the helmet while attempting to block a shot in the third period of the 4-3 overtime victory害羞草研究所he Rockets open a four-game homestand Friday night against the Vancouver Giants. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
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