A swift and unexpected four-game exit from last spring香蕉视频直播檚 playoffs made for a long offseason for the Kelowna Rockets.

On the eve of the club香蕉视频直播檚 training camp at Prospera Place, GM Bruce Hamilton expects Rockets香蕉视频直播� coaches and players alike to get to work on making amends for an unsatisfying conclusion to the 2017-18 campaign.

香蕉视频直播淕oing out four straight last year was a real disappointment after winning our division,香蕉视频直播� said Hamilton. 香蕉视频直播淔or the players, there香蕉视频直播檚 certainly some pressure on them to be better but there香蕉视频直播檚 pressure on the coaches to be better, too. They香蕉视频直播檒l need to get this team prepared, ready to go and get out of the gate fast.香蕉视频直播�

Between 55 and 60 players are expected to be on the ice for the start of main training camp this weekend.

With head coach Jason Smith at the helm for his third season, the Rockets will be looking to overcome the departures of a handful of key players, including forwards Dillon Dube and Kole Lind and defencemen Cal Foote, Gordie Ballhorn and James Hilsedager.

Up front, Hamilton said the Rockets will be relying on a strong group of 19-year-old forwards, including Kyle Topping, Erik Gardiner, Leif Mattson, Conner Bruggen-Cate and Jack Cowell.

香蕉视频直播淲e have five real good 19-year-olds, they香蕉视频直播檙e going to have sort it out, who香蕉视频直播檚 going to be on the first line and where they fit in,香蕉视频直播� Hamilton. 香蕉视频直播淚 think we香蕉视频直播檙e going to have some interesting battles with guys trying to position themselves on the second, third and fourth lines.香蕉视频直播�

Hamilton said the club香蕉视频直播檚 strength this season could well be in goal as James Porter looks to build on a solid rookie campaign. Roman Basran, whose 2017-18 season was cut short by a knee injury, is expected to challenge for his share of playing time between the pipes.

Rockets Rookie Camp: Day One is in the books. Details: 馃殌馃悏

香蕉视频直播� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)

香蕉视频直播淧orter香蕉视频直播檚 had a real good summer and once we get Basran back healthy, we香蕉视频直播漧l have a real solid pair back there,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 one of the most important things you need going into a season.香蕉视频直播�

If there香蕉视频直播檚 any area of concern, Hamilton points to the defensive corps香蕉视频直播攚ithout Foote, Hilsendager and Ballhorn香蕉视频直播攂ut even then, there香蕉视频直播檚 reason for optimism.

香蕉视频直播�(Kaedan) Korczak who was at the under-18s, he香蕉视频直播檚 made tremendous strides, (Libor) Zabransky will have to step up for us, and our Finnish player (Lassi Thomson) is an exceptional, so we香蕉视频直播檝e got some guys there that香蕉视频直播檒l step in and play,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭he guys who were six, seven, eight on defense last year are going to have to work real hard to get a spot here, which is always real positive.香蕉视频直播�

The Rockets kick off their exhibition season Friday, Aug. 31 at home to the Victoria Royals.

Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 2018-19 WHL regular season opens with a home-and-home set against the rival Kamloops Blazers香蕉视频直播擣riday in Sept. 21 in Kamloops, then again Saturday, Sept. 22 at Prospera Place.

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