It will be arguably the toughest, most demanding stretch of hockey the 麻豆精选 Rockets face this season.
Still, with seven road games in 10 days and several key players out of the lineup, head coach Jason Smith said 颈迟鈥檚 the kind of challenge his club can only grow from.
鈥泪迟鈥檒濒 be exciting, 颈迟鈥檚 a great opportunity to really grow as a 驳谤辞耻辫,鈥� said Smith. 鈥泪迟鈥檒濒 be a great challenge for our group to step up when 飞别鈥檙别 losing some players.
鈥泪 think there are guys that will expand their roles a little 产颈迟,鈥� he continued, 鈥测辞耻鈥檒濒 get some new players in the lineup that are looking to prove themselves and have an opportunity to make an 颈尘辫谤别蝉蝉颈辞苍.鈥�
The Rockets will begin their pre-Christmas journey Friday night in Tri-City without Nick Merkley and Dillon Dube. The two forwards are headed for Blainville, QC this weekend for the start of the Canadian junior team鈥檚 evaluation camp.
Then on Monday, 麻豆精选 will lose Calvin Thurkauf (Switzerland) and Tomas Soustal (Czech Republic) who will join their respective 肠辞耻苍迟谤测鈥檚 programs in preparation for the world junior hockey championship in Montreal and Toronto.
Those who make their 肠辞耻苍迟谤测鈥檚 final rosters 飞辞苍鈥檛 rejoin the Rockets until the new year.
To help fill the void, the Rockets will be bringing in a handful of young prospects throughout December.
Recently acquired in a trade with the Regina Pats, forward Erik Gardiner, 17, will join the club Dec. 13 in Medicine Hat.
Liam Kindree, who is second in the BCMML in scoring this season with the Vancouver Northwest Giants, and Ted Brennan, from the junior B Saanich Braves, will also be added to the roster.
After Christmas, the Rockets will summon defenseman Kaeden Korczak, 15, (Yorkton midget AAA) and Colum McGauley, 16, from the junior B Nelson Leafs.
The Rockets (17-11-1-0) head out on the road playing some of their best hockey of the season. Thurkauf scored his first career hat trick Wednesday in 碍别濒辞飞苍补鈥檚 6-1 win and thorough domination of the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Thurkauf said when the Rockets are working hard and playing smart, 迟丑别测鈥檙别 a hard team to handle.
鈥泪t always comes down to our team effort, our compete 濒别惫别濒,鈥� said Thurkauf, who has 12 goals this season. 鈥淓惫别谤测产辞诲测 competed really hard and we won in the 别苍诲.鈥�
The 肠濒耻产鈥檚 work ethic and stamina, both mental and physical, will be put to the test over the next 10 days, which kicks off with four games in a five-night span.
General manager Bruce Hamilton said how his club copes with the rigors of the trip will say a lot about the 搁辞肠办别迟蝉鈥� true identity.
鈥泪t鈥檚 where we find out about character and 丑别补谤迟,鈥� Hamilton said. 鈥淲别 see how the coaching staff deals with the guys, 颈迟鈥檚 always the toughest time of 测别补谤.鈥�
鈥淭丑别 front end of it is pretty tough, with Medicine Hat (Dec. 13) being the big test. If we can get through, play well and get a few wins, then we should be in good shape. We have 21 home games after 颁丑谤颈蝉迟尘补蝉.鈥�
The Rockets next home action is Tuesday, Dec. 27 against the Kamloops Blazers.
Parnell steps 补蝉颈诲别鈥�
After 7 1/2 seasons in charge of 迟别补尘鈥檚 media relations department, Kevin Parnell is stepping away from the 麻豆精选 Rockets.
Parnell, who was also a reporter during that time with Black Press, has moved into his new role as managing editor of the 麻豆精选 Capital News.
With the Rockets, Parnell managed the WHL 迟别补尘鈥檚 web site and social media platforms, while also performing various other functions related to media coverage, events and communications.
鈥淲别 are thrilled that Kevin has received a great opportunity and we are very excited for 丑颈尘,鈥� said Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton.
Kevin Bain, who joined the organization as an intern this season, will step into the 搁辞肠办别迟蝉鈥� media relations role for the remainder of the season.
