Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Captain Kris?

  • Kris Lazaruk for Kelowna Rockets captain! Will the Rockets follow the Vancouver Canucks lead after naming goaltender Roberto Luongo their captain on Tuesday? The chances of Lazaruk being named to the post is far fetched, but considering the Rockets haven't named anyone to wear the 'C' this season, Lazaruk could certainly be in the running. Something tells me the Rockets have a series of players who could be named captain before they were forced to look to the 'last line of defense' for leadership.
  • The top 10 junior rankings were released this week, and my stomach didn't turn like it did last week. Swift Current in the top 10? I can handle that. If you're undefeated and have a few games under your belt, I can accept that. I also can't argue with Spokane and Vancouver making the grade.
  • What ever happened to Torrie Jung's younger brother Mikael? Mikael Jung was attempting to crack the Vancouver Giants roster this season as a 16 year-old, but will play this season in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League with the Comox Valley Glaciers.
  • Look for Curt Gogol and Aaron Borejko to have big smiles on their face when they board the Rockets bus tonight. Both are headed back to Alberta for two of three games this weekend. Gogol is from Calgary while Borejko is from Edmonton.
  • What's up for debate is if Cody Almond is considered a player from Alberta or BC. Almond was born in Calgary, but his family now lives in Kelowna. On the Rockets roster Almond's hometown is still considered Calgary.
  • I was interested to read in 'Hockey Now' that Rockets Tyson Barrie now weighs 191 pounds on his 5'10 frame. Unless he was on a major weightlifting program this summer or was eating way to many Doritos, Barrie has not gained 26 pounds over the summer. Barrie's playing weight is 165 pounds which makes him light on his feet.
  • If you are wondering how the Rockets are feeling without Luke Schenn, just ask Vancouver Giants head coach Don Hay what it was like waiting for Gilbert Brule to return from the NHL in 2005. Brule was drafted 6th overall in the 05 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and played 7 regular season games with the big club before returning to junior. Brule was injured twice over those seven games, resulted in him finally returning to the Giants lineup January 20th against Kamloops. That season Brule played in just 27 regular season games in Vancouver before leading the Giants to a WHL championship. Looking back at it now, the Blue Jackets made a huge mistake by forcing Brule into their lineup at such a young age. He is no longer a member of that organization after being traded to Edmonton this summer. Have the Toronto Maple Leafs taken notice of the Blue Jackets blunder?

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