KELOWNA – We’ve seen some blockbuster trades from the Rockets this season, but despite those big ticket acquisitions, building from within is the tried and true mantra of the Kelowna club. It all starts with some elite scouting followed by in-house development of a core group of rookies.
This year eight WHL newcomers are earning their stripes on the Rockets roster: Tate Coughlin, Dillon Dube, Lucan Johansen, Tomas Soustal and Devante Stephens, Jake Morrissey, Michael Herringer and Tanner Wishnowski.
Dube, the Rockets 2013 first round draft pick, is making his mark as a top six forward.
“I hope I establish myself as that. I have to work every night to stay in the line-up. That’s my goal the rest of the season.”
Despite being sidelined nearly half the season with a broken foot and torn MCL, Dube has come on strong with eight goals and three assists in just 15 games. Now, playing alongside former pro Leon Draisaitl, you can just imagine how far this kid will go.
It’s been a bit of an adjustment for import draft Tomas Soustal. The 6’3” forward from the Czech Republic was the Rockets first pick in the 2014 CHL Import Draft.
“Czech hockey is more slower, not a lot of body,” says Soustal, “Here the rink is bigger. The first two months it was a little harder, but I think I did good.”
From the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL), forward Tate Coughlin was VIJHL rookie of the year last season.
The biggest thing he’s learned early in his WHL hockey career, “just to always compete and work hard to stay in the line-up is probably the biggest thing.”
The Rockets have also added some depth on the blueline, with 2012 sixth round pick Lucas Johansen playing all but one game this season and Devante Stephens (from the Rockets protected list) playing 38 of 43 games.
Both say they’ve absorbed a lot from the solid defensive core.
“It was hard in the beginning,” says Stephens, “but since I’ve had all those games to practice and get used to the speed it’s definitely become a part of my game now.”
“It’s definitely a jump from Major Midget. The compete and urgency has to be there every game.” says Johansen.
From the 2014 BCMML league champion Okanagan Rockets, forward Tanner Wishnowski is also listed as a Rockets rookie. Unfortunately, he’s yet to lace up for the WHL club, as he’s been sidelined with an injury.
Both Rockets backup netminders Jake Morrissey and Michael Herringer are the final rookies on the squad. Both have had a handful of starts this season and for the most part done pretty well. Herringer boasts a 0.903 save percentage and Morrissey with a 0.929.
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