Westy Get's the Nod

• Kristofer Westblom will start in goal for the Rockets in the teams home opener Saturday night. It only makes sense to start the veteran, who has looked extremely sharp in the pre-season.


• Brandon McMillan is expected to play Saturday night despite a sore shoulder. Justin Bernhardt skated Thursday, and will likely be a game time decision as the 19 year-old is hampered by a groin injury. Rookie defenseman Kyle Verdino skated again today, after dislocating his shoulder in pre-season. It's doubtful that Verdino will play on the weekend. Veteran Colin Joe will miss this weekend's game with a wrist injury.


• AM 1150 was pleased to have Rockets head coach Ryan Huska and Jeff Finley join us Thursday morning for a hour long round table discussion. David Michaud, myself and Phil Johnson grilled the coaches about the upcoming season. Ok, we didn't exactly grill the coaches, but it was clear the work ethic of this team needs to improve, and the coaching staff won't stand for a lacklustre effort. I think the most interesting thing Ryan Huska said during our conversation was the fact the players were told at the start of the season to forget about last year. Forget about the 22 wins. Last year was a write off, the 2007-2008 season is a new beginning.


• Now the Kootenay Ice know what it's like to lose to an expansion team in their very first game. The Edmonton Oil Kings were a 4-3 winner Thursday night. The Rockets felt the wrath of an expansion franchise when they lost to the the WHL's 21st team, the Chilliwack Bruins, in the 'Wack's' first game in the league by a 3-1 score.


• Brett Breitkreuz leads the WHL in scoring. Sure it's only one game, but the former Rocket, selected by the Oil Kings in the expansion draft, has to feel pretty good about his start to the season.


• Nice to see/hear Dan Russell and Billy Wilms on Shaw's telecast of last night's game from Edmonton. I know these two gentleman personally, and their passion for the game, especially junior hockey is tremendous.


• I heard today that the Saskatoon Blades have released veteran forward Craig Cuthbert. Cuthbert was the Rockets #1 pick in the 2005 draft, and had huge pressure put on his shoulders in his first few seasons in Kelowna. He was compared to his older brother Ryan time and time again, with most of the comparison talk coming from the media. I had a special place in my heart for Craig, considering he is from my hometown of Swift Current. Craig Cuthbert is a great kid - just like his older brother Ryan - and I wish him all the best.