In his nearly three decades with the 害羞草研究所� organization, Lorne Frey has seen his share of high-end 16-year-old prospects come and go.
A scant few have come to the Western Hockey League club with as much potential and promise as defenceman
If the future unfolds as Frey believes it will, the club害羞草研究所檚 2016 first-round draft pick from Yorkton, SK., will be a stabilizing force on the Rockets害羞草研究所� blueline for years to come.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 been very good, everything we expected him to be,害羞草研究所� said Frey, the Rockets害羞草研究所� director of player personnel and assistant GM. 害羞草研究所淲e saw it last year, how good he was as a 15-year-old and he害羞草研究所檚 continued to improve. He害羞草研究所檚 very good in all areas of the game, and we were just very fortunate to get him in the draft.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 likely going to be a cornerstone on our back end for hopefully the next three to four years.害羞草研究所�
To be talked about with the same acclaim as some of the best rearguards ever to wear a Rockets害羞草研究所� uniform could easily be an overwhelming concept for a player whose WHL career has barely begun.
But Korczak is doing his best to take it all in stride.
害羞草研究所淭here are some expectations of me, I know they害羞草研究所檙e high but the coaches are doing a real good job of prepping us and getting the young guys ready for it,害羞草研究所� said Korczak, the Rockets first choice, 11th overall in last year害羞草研究所檚 draft. 害羞草研究所淚 know what I need to do, so if I just play my game and stick to that, I should be fine out here.害羞草研究所�
Korczak got his feet wet in major junior hockey last season, playing in four regular season games with the Rockets and five more in the playoffs.
It was just the exposure the 6-foot-2, 175-pound defenceman needed to jump-start what the Rockets envision will be a long and prosperous career in the WHL.
害羞草研究所淚t was huge for me playing in playoffs and regular season last year, getting a good idea of what it takes to play against guys at this level,害羞草研究所� said Korczak, who had 11 goals and 29 points last season with the Yorkton midget AAA Maulers. 害羞草研究所淚 came back this year knowing the guys, it害羞草研究所檚 nice to see them again and be part of this.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 super lucky to come here and I know the (Rockets) will do everything they can to push me to the next level as a player.害羞草研究所�
And the Rockets are looking forward to watching Korczak害羞草研究所檚 progress every step of the way.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檒l be a top-six guy this year and play lots of minutes in all situations,害羞草研究所� said Frey. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 an exceptional individual and an exceptional player, we害羞草研究所檙e fortunate to get him.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 a great skater, he moves the puck well, he害羞草研究所檚 smart, he competes and has great offensive ability. He害羞草研究所檚 developed into something special.害羞草研究所�
Korczak and his Rockets teammates will open their exhibition schedule Saturday night at home to the Victoria Royals. Face off at Prospera Place is 7 p.m.
