Rockets arriving back from NHL camps

r The first of the Kelowna Rockets players who have been attending NHL training camps are back in Kelowna as the Rockets begin final preparations for the Western Hockey League season opening game this coming Thursday.
r
r Defenseman Collin Bowman and forwards Lucas Bloodoff, Kyle St. Denis and Stepan Novotny were the first of what could be as many as 10 players coming back to Kelowna to join the defending WHL champions.
r
r The return of the veterans should spark the rest of the team as the Rockets gets set to open the WHL season this coming Thursday night (7:30 p.m. Prospera).
r
r “I think it’s important for our group here,” said coach Ryan Huska. “Our returning guys will come in and raise the intensity and raise the pace of our practices as we prepare for the home opener.”
r
r In 70 games last season Bowman had three goals and 23 points and was a solid plus 32 on the back end.
r
r Lucas Bloodoff scored 20 goals last season and returns for his fourth full season with the Rockets after attending the Phoenix Coyotes camp. Brother Evan Bloodoff returned earlier in the week from Phoenix but will be out of the Rockets lineup indefinitely due to a torn ACL.
r
r St. Denis is coming off an injury plagued campaign that saw him play in just 22 games although the Trail native scored a point per game in his regular season action.
r
r Novotny, a native of Prague, Czech Republic, had 41 points in 65 games last year, his first as a Rocket.
r
r Other players still at camps include Tyler Myers, Colin Long, Mitchell Callahan, Brandon McMillan and Tyson Barrie.
r
r Long may return but could also be assigned to the AHL by Phoenix, while Myers will have to play junior if he doesn’t make the Buffalo Sabres.
r  
r Cody Almond (Minnesota) and Jamie Benn (Dallas) are also at camps but are expected to either play pro at the NHL or the AHL level.
r
r The Rockets and Vancouver Giants open the WHL season on Thursday night at Prospera Place in a game that gets underway at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available through www.selectyourtickets.com
r  

r