Every August, Lorne Frey and his scouting staff get a chance to see the fruits of their labours at the 害羞草研究所� rookie camp. At the same time, they害羞草研究所檒l be taking a glimpse into the team害羞草研究所檚 future.
The Western Hockey League club kicked off the 2018 version of training camp this week, with close to 100 rookies taking to the ice at Prospera Place.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e looking forward to seeing how all these players have progressed over the summer,害羞草研究所� said Frey, the Rockets害羞草研究所� player personnel director and assistant GM.
Among the players drawing the most attention is the Rockets害羞草研究所� first-round pick, Trevor Wong. The 5-foot-8 forward, who was the Rockets害羞草研究所� first choice, 18th overall in the 2018 bantam draft, racked up 141 points in just 30 games last season for the St. George害羞草研究所檚 School Bantam Varsity squad.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 a skilled and dynamic player,害羞草研究所� said Frey. 害羞草研究所淗e does everything at a high speed, and if he grows he will be lights out.害羞草研究所�
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The Rockets also have high hopes for their second-round choice, Elias Carmichael, a 6-foot-1 blueliner from Burnaby Winter Club.
Five of the club害羞草研究所檚 first seven picks were defensemen, helping the Rockets address their most pressing need.
害羞草研究所淪ome of our (2001 and 2002-born) defensemen are starting to show some promise, but we knew needed to shore up that area so we focused on getting some, big mobile defensemen in this year害羞草研究所檚 draft. We害羞草研究所檙e looking forward to seeing what they can do (at rookie camp) and in years to come.害羞草研究所�
The rookie camp will run until Friday and Frey expects the club will carry about 10 to 12 players over into main training camp which begins on Saturday at Prospera Place.
As for main camp, assistant coach Kris Mallette said, like the rookies, the Rockets look forward to seeing how the club害羞草研究所檚 returning players have progressed since last spring.
害羞草研究所淥ur returning players will need to show management and the coaches that they put the work in over the summer,害羞草研究所� Mallette said. 害羞草研究所淭here are never any guarantees so everyone will need to work hard and compete for a spot on the roster.害羞草研究所�
Kelowna will open its preseason schedule Friday, Aug. 31 at Prospera Place against the Victoria Royals.
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