The Kelowna Rockets won香蕉视频直播檛 have a first-round pick at next week香蕉视频直播檚 Western Hockey League bantam draft in Calgary.

Suffice to say, it will make each and every selection that much more vital for Lorne Frey and the Rockets香蕉视频直播� scouting staff.

Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 first choice won香蕉视频直播檛 come up until the second round, 39th overall. Frey will also have one pick in the third and two more in the fourth round.

香蕉视频直播淲e have to hope to hit on those (earlier picks), at least most of them,香蕉视频直播� said Frey, the club香蕉视频直播檚 player personnel director and assistant GM. 香蕉视频直播淚f we don香蕉视频直播檛 do well with those picks, it won香蕉视频直播檛 be a very good draft.

香蕉视频直播淏ut there are lots of good players out there, so it香蕉视频直播檚 a matter of getting them and having a little luck, too.香蕉视频直播�

The Rockets yielded their first-round choice this year to acquire Reid Gardiner from the Prince Albert Raiders.

The 21-year-old forward from Humboldt, Sask., has been lights out since arriving from Scranton Wilkes-Barre of the AHL, particularly in the playoffs where he has already set a franchise record with 15 goals in 13 games.

Frey said winning often comes with a price, including having to part with potential franchise-building draft picks.

In Gardiner香蕉视频直播檚 case, it香蕉视频直播檚 clear the Rockets have no regrets with the decision香蕉视频直播攅ven if Kelowna doesn香蕉视频直播檛 win a WHL championship.

香蕉视频直播淭hose are decisions you have to make,香蕉视频直播� said Frey. 香蕉视频直播淓ventually those things are going to catch up with you, but those kinds of opportunities are few and far between and you to take advantage of them when they香蕉视频直播檙e there.

香蕉视频直播淚t was a great trade for us, no question,香蕉视频直播� he added, referring to Gardiner, the WHL香蕉视频直播檚 player of the week for the second straight time. 香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 been unbelievable, the major reason we are where we are right now. We never dwell on these deals after we make them, and we certainly won香蕉视频直播檛 on this one.香蕉视频直播�

At this year香蕉视频直播檚 draft, Frey isn香蕉视频直播檛 counting on the same kind of second-round magic the Rockets found in both 2013 and 2015 when they landed brothers Cal and Nolan Foote, respectively.

As far as what position the Rockets will be focusing on at the draft, Frey said bolstering the club香蕉视频直播檚 blue line is always a central theme.

香蕉视频直播淎 lot of times you might take the best player available, but you香蕉视频直播檝e always gotta keep working on your defense,香蕉视频直播� said Frey. 香蕉视频直播淲ithout good defense you just don香蕉视频直播檛 win championships, so if the cards fall right we香蕉视频直播檒l probably go with a D-man.香蕉视频直播�

Frey estimates there are about 10 to 15 players in the draft who are potentially high-end talent. After that, he said the difference between the next group of players is much less discernible.

香蕉视频直播淧robably the next 100 kids are close to being the same, the way they香蕉视频直播檙e coached, and the way they play,香蕉视频直播� said Frey. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 what makes (the draft) difficult and why there香蕉视频直播檚 so much parity in the league now.香蕉视频直播�

Frey will be making final preparations for the draft this week at the Alberta Cup in Canmore, a showcase for bantam-aged players from across that province.

The WHL香蕉视频直播檚 bantam draft is set for next Thursday, May 4 in Calgary,

Fan bus for Game 5香蕉视频直播�

A fan bus will be running to Kent, Wash., Friday for Game 5 of the Western Conference Championship between the Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds.

Cost is $160 includes hotel (based on double occupancy) and a game ticket.

Travellers must ensure they have a valid passport in order to go on the trip.

For more information, contact Chantelle LaBrie at labrie_chantelle10@hotmail.com or by calling 250-808-9897, or Bill Henthorn at 250-863-9985.