Players off to NHL Camps
Every year at this time teams lose a small number of players to NHL camps.
The Rockets are no exception.
This season the Rockets will be sending a total of ten players to camp.
Two of those ten players are not expected to be returning. Those two players are Justin Kirkland (Nashville) and Rourke Chartier(San Jose). Both players are expected to be playing in the AHL, the NHL’s farm league.
The other eight players headed to NHL camps are: Nick Merkley who was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes, Devante Stephens drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, Lucas Johansen drafted by the Washington Capitals, Dillon Dube drafted by the Calgary Flames, Calvin Thurkauf drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Braydyn Chizen drafted by the Minnesota Wild, Tomas Soustal invited to camp by the Edmonton Oilers, and Gordie Ballhorn invited to camp by the Dallas Stars.
The Rockets are going to be short on guys this Friday due to the camps when the Vancouver Giants visit Prospera Place for Kelowna’s final preseason bout.
Being short isn’t necessarily a bad thing though. Veteran Braydyn Chizen thinks it’s quite the opposite.
“There’s lots of opportunity for younger guys, guys are going to have to step up, but it’ll be a good weekend” said Chizen.
Fellow vet Gordie Ballhorn agreed.
“I think it’ll be a great opportunity for some guys to step into a roll they aren’t comfortable in and get outside that comfort zone. I think it’ll be a real good challenge for some guys” Ballhorn said.
When the absent players return all depends on how they do in their camps. They could return in a week, they could return in a month, they could not return at all.
Although it may be tough not having these players in the lineup temporarily, it’s a good sign to see so many players going to these camps from the Rockets organization.
“I think it really speaks well for the organization to have eight roster players leaving to NHL camps, I mean most teams usually send one or two, so to have eight it really speaks highly of the development that’s taking place here” said Ballhorn.
For players it’s an exciting time when you get to go to an NHL camp.
“I’m really excited. It should be a good opportunity for me. I’ll be able to develop my game and kind of soak everything in” Ballhorn said. “I’m a little nervous too, but I’m sure once I’m actually there and everything kind of sinks in, the nerves will die down.”
Chizen is excited for his opportunity as well.
“I think it’ll boost a player’s confidence for sure. It’s going to be a good opportunity. Going and playing there will be a high caliber game, a little higher than what I’m used to here so it should really help” said Chizen. “I think when I come back I’ll be used to a higher speed game so that will definitely help going into regular season.”
Whenever the players do come back, you can be sure the Rockets are going to have a strong season.
“I think we’ll do really well. I’m excited to get things going” Ballhorn said. “We’ll finally be able to get into some regular season games and it should be a deep playoff run come May.”
The players all leave this week.
The players remaining face off against the Vancouver Giants on Friday at 7:05PM at Prospera Place.
