Cap News: Chikie checks in
r Marissa Baecker photo
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r By Warren Henderson – Kelowna Capital News
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r When Cody Chikie arrived at Kelowna Rockets training camp as a walk-on in August, few gave the diminutive forward much of a chance of landing a job with the defending champs.
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r After all, the free agent from St. Albert, Alta., had a mere 15 games of major junior experience over parts of two seasons with the Saskatoon Blades.
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r Regardless of the odds, Chikie wasn’t prepared to take no for answer.
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r “I came in with a positive attitude and just decided that no matter how good all the other guys are, I can play with them,” said Chikie, who turns 18 next month. “I stayed positive, did my best, and it’s worked out pretty well.”
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r Still, Chikie had to wait for his chance as he was a healthy scratch for the Rockets’ first three games of the regular season.
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r But once the 5-foot-7, 165 pound speedster pried his way into the lineup, there was no looking back.
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r Chikie has since been one of the Rockets’ most productive forwards with six goals and four assists in 13 games. To say Chikie has been a pleasant surprise for the WHL team would be an understatement.”You look at your team coming into camp and usually you’ve pencilled in guys you have a history with,” said Rockets coach Ryan Huska, “so in that way, Cody was a long shot.
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r “He was someone we brought in to push the other guys. It’s a challenge making a team from where he was, but Cody has done a great job. He’s put himself in a position to be an everyday player.”
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r What Chikie lacks in size he more than makes up for in speed and skill.
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r Assistant coach Ryan Cuthbert said that’s what makes the 17-year-old forward a good fit for the Rockets.
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r “I think just with looking at our team and the way a lot of our guys can skate, he was the type of player you could see fitting in really well,” said Cuthbert. “He’s a smaller guy with very good speed and he has an offensive upside as well. His scoring has been a huge bonus for us.”
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r Playing in Kelowna and being a key contributor for the Rockets is, by far, the best scenario Chikie could have envisioned after a summer of uncertainty about his future.
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r He finished up the 2008-09 playing for Sherwood Park of the Alberta junior league, then underwent shoulder surgery in April. The Blades, Calgary Hitmen and Prince George Cougars all expressed interest, but when Rockets assistant GM Lorne Frey rang his phone in July, Chikie was quick to give Kelowna the thumbs-up. ”Kelowna was my first choice, so the decision was really easy,” added Chikie. “I’m thankful for the chance and happy to be where I am. It’s a great organization in a beautiful city.”
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r Rocket Shots…The Rockets (8-7-1-0) will host the Prince George Cougars (3-12-0-0) Wednesday at Prospera Place…The Rockets won the only previous meeting with the Cougars, 7-1 on Oct. 10 in Kelowna…On Friday, the Chilliwack Bruins will pay their second visit of the season to Prospera Place…Stepan Novotny (12-9) and F Shane McColgan (6-15) share the team scoring lead with 21 points each.
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