Kelowna Rockets

Kelowna Rockets
City:	Kelowna, British Columbia
League:	Western Hockey League
Conference:	Western
Division:	B.C.
Founded:	1991
Home Arena:	Prospera Place
Colours:	Teal, Red, Copper, Black, White ;
Head Coach:	Jason Smith
General Manager:	Bruce Hamilton
Franchise history
1991–95:	Tacoma Rockets
1995–present:	Kelowna Rockets

The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League (WHL), out of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). They play their home games at Prospera Place.^[1]

From 2002 to 2009, Kelowna competed in the Memorial Cup tournament a record four times,^[2] the most of any other CHL team in a seven-year span. The Rockets captured the Memorial Cup for the first time in franchise history in 2004, the same year they were selected to host the event. In 2015, the Rockets returned to the Memorial Cup a fifth time, losing to the Oshawa Generals in the championship final.

Franchise history[]

Established in 1991, the team started out as the Tacoma Rockets, previously playing in Tacoma, Washington, and playing their home games at the Tacoma Dome. Prior to the 1995–96 season, the team relocated to Kelowna, playing their home games at the city's Memorial Arena. Following the 1998–99 season, they moved into their then-new home arena, Skyreach Place. Their logo pays tribute to the famed Ogopogo monster, of the Okanagan Lake.

1991–94: Early years[]

See also: Tacoma Rockets

Tacoma Rockets urban art (cropped) — Former Tacoma Rockets logo. Used 1991–94.

The 1991–92 season marks the first season of the Rockets in Tacoma, Washington. Playing in one of North America's largest hockey arenas, the Tacoma Dome, the expansion Rockets blasted their way to one of the most memorable inaugural seasons in the 25 year history of the Western Hockey League. Attendance of 14,975 and 15,240 at two heated contests against their then arch rival, the Seattle Thunderbirds, assisted the Rockets in chalking up the highest per game average for a first year expansion team under the Canadian Hockey League umbrella.

In 1992–93, the Rockets startled everyone in the league by winning 24 straight home games for an all-time Western Hockey League record. Tacoma held first place in the West Division for three months and finished with a promising 45–27–0. In addition to the winning streak, the Rockets home record of 36–6–0 and collecting 37 more points than the previous year, proved them serious contenders in the WHL. Once again the Rockets attendance of 13,769 saw them defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 in win number 24 and marked the third largest crowd in the history of the WHL. Three Rockets won best in the WHL West. Goaltender, Jeff Calvert – Most Valuable Player; Michal Sykora – Most Valuable Player; and Jamie Black selected as Most Sportsmanlike Player.

The 1993–94 season marks the year of transition for the Rockets, with the graduation of high scoring veteran Allan Egeland, solid forward, Trever Fraser and netminder, Jeff Calvert. The Rockets's third season also brought forward some of the league's best rookies and a phenomenal base of nine NHL drafted players. Six alone were selected in 1994, bringing the total to thirteen Rockets drafted in three seasons. Rockets finished third in the West with a 33–34–5 record.

With a strong finish in the 1993–94 season, the Rockets strove to compete at a higher level of excellence. They launched their third season boasting size in defense and the strength of nine NHL draft picks. Adding the skill and talent of one of Europe's top young forwards, Vaclav Varada who slotted 50 points and tied the team's rookie scoring record. Todd MacDonald, 1993 Florida Panthers draft choice, became the team's top goalie, nominated for the best in the West award. Veteran Dallas Thompson became team Captain. This combination brought the Rockets to a second place finish in the West.

1995–2004: New ownership[]

The 1995–96 season brought significant change to the entire Rockets organization: not only the loss of defenceman Alexander Alexeev and Captain Dallas Thompson due to age, but the decision to bring the Rockets to Kelowna, British Columbia. After long deliberation and consideration for the City of Tacoma and the many dedicated fans who supported the Rockets, the 22,000-seat Tacoma Dome was no longer a long-term viable home for the Rockets. Key dates became more difficult to secure, leaving the Rockets in search of home ice for play-offs at the end of each regular season. No future of change for the poor sight lines in the arena brought the Rockets organization to the conclusion the team needed to be moved. There were several viable choices prospected. Kelowna's rich history in hockey and the prospect of a new arena made Kelowna the natural choice Since the move to Kelowna, the Rockets are right at home in their beautiful new city. They have been accepted by the community with open arms and strong local support. With that brings the talent of first-round NHL draft pick Kyle McLaren and fifth-round pick Dale Purinton and the hometown talents of Jason Deleurme, Ronny Grimmard and Trevor Lornson.

2004: Memorial Cup Champions[]

Main article: 2004 Memorial Cup

Kelowna went to three straight Memorial Cup tournaments in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. They won the Memorial Cup for the first time in franchise history in 2004, coincidentally the same year they were selected to host the event.

Fans lined up outside Prospera Place for hours to witness the 2-1 victory for the Kelowna Rockets in the championship game at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Every game of the tournament was sold out and an enthusiastic host city cheered wildly as their home team claimed their first Memorial Cup victory. The Rockets are the first team since the Ottawa 67's in 1999 to win the Memorial Cup on home ice and the victory marks the first time the host team has gone undefeated in the tournament.

Justin Keller scored the game winning goal late in the third period as the host Kelowna Rockets won their first ever MasterCard Memorial Cup by defeating the QMJHL Champion Gatineau Olympiques. Despite numerous chances on both ends of the ice through the first two periods of play, neither team could find the back of the net until the third. With six and a half minutes gone in the third and Gatineau on the power-play, Jean Michel Daoust slapped a pass to Guillaume Fournier, who tipped it past Kelly Guard for his first of the tournament. Less than four minutes later, Kelowna tied things up after a rebound from a Brett Palin slap shot went straight to Randall Gelech who chipped it in past Gatineau goaltender David Tremblay for his third of the tournament. Kelowna had a chance to take the lead just seconds later but found the post instead.

With 13:38 left to play in the period, Keller streaked in from the right side and tucked the puck between the pads of Tremblay, bringing the largest-ever crowd to attend Kelowna's Prospera Place to their feet. The Canadian Hockey League was proud to announce more than 1.2 million viewers tuned in to Rogers Sportsnet and RDS coverage of the championship tournament, including 410,000 for the final game when the Kelowna Rockets defeated the Gatineau Olympiques to win the 2004 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

2009: Return to the Cup[]

Main article: 2009 Memorial Cup

For the fourth time in seven years,^[2] the Kelowna Rockets would play in a Memorial Cup tournament. They previously captured their first Memorial Cup while hosting the event in 2004. Kelowna also competed in the tournament as WHL Champions in 2003 and 2005. During the 2009 WHL playoffs, Kelowna captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup with a 4–2 WHL Championship series win over the Calgary Hitmen.

With this series win, the Rockets claimed a spot in the 2009 Memorial Cup tournament, which was hosted in Rimouski, Quebec. In the early stages of the tournament, Kelowna had great success, clinching a spot in the Final. Seeking to find their franchise's second cup title in five years, the Rockets just could not convert a win, and as a result, the Windsor Spitfires went on as 2009 Memorial Cup Champions.

2015: Return to the Cup 2[]

Further information: 2015 Memorial Cup

After five years of failing to qualify for the Memorial Cup, the Rockets broke the slump in 2015 after defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings 4–0 in the WHL finals. They went on to record one win and two losses in the tournament, clinching a spot in the tournament semi-finals. The Rockets then routed the Quebec Remparts 9–3 in the semi-finals, setting-up a game against the Oshawa Generals. Kelowna and Oshawa played hard and forced an overtime. Kelowna then lost the game when Anthony Cirelli, only 1 minute 28 seconds into overtime, banged in a rebound from Carlisle against Jackson Whistle.

Team uniforms[]

Kelowna Rockets jerseys — Current uniforms.

Logo used from 1995–98

Since 2000, their uniforms have featured a logo resembling the legendary Okanagan Lake monster, Ogopogo. Their current third jersey features the monsters head, taken from their shoulder patch design. The team's colours are jaguar teal, athletic red, copper gold, orange sun, black, and white. In 1998, their team jerseys changed from their traditional "Rockets" logo, to more localized jerseys.

Season-by-season record[]

Season	GP	W	L	T	OL	GF	GA	Pts	Finish	Playoffs
1995–96	72	35	33	4	–	338	309	74	4th West	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
1996–97	72	35	35	2	–	298	314	72	4th West	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
1997–98	72	33	35	4	–	234	253	70	5th West	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
1998–99	72	25	42	5	–	224	282	55	6th West	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
1999–00	72	25	40	4	3	193	228	57	5th West	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2000–01	72	37	23	7	5	259	240	86	1st West	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2001–02	72	31	26	10	5	257	232	77	4th B.C.	Lost Western Conference final
2002–03	72	51	14	6	1	311	164	109	1st B.C.	Won Championship; Lost Memorial Cup
2003–04	72	47	21	4	0	185	125	98	1st B.C.	Lost Western Conference final; Won Memorial Cup
2004–05	72	45	13	12	2	215	139	104	2nd B.C.	Won Championship; Lost Memorial Cup
Season	GP	W	L	OL	SL	GF	GA	Points	Finish	Playoffs
2005–06	72	46	22	1	3	243	188	96	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference semi-final
2006–07	72	22	41	5	2	156	245	53	5th B.C.	Out of playoffs
2007–08	72	38	26	2	6	248	215	84	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2008–09	72	47	21	1	3	267	178	98	2nd B.C.	Won Championship; Lost Memorial Cup
2009–10	72	35	31	2	4	224	225	76	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference semi-final
2010–11	72	43	28	0	1	240	201	87	1st B.C.	Lost Western Conference semi-final
2011–12	72	31	31	4	6	217	242	72	3rd B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarter-final
2012–13	72	52	16	3	1	309	178	108	1st B.C.	Lost Western Conference semi-final
2013–14	72	57	11	0	4	310	182	118	1st B.C.	Lost Western Conference final
2014–15	72	53	13	5	1	305	183	112	1st B.C.	Won Championship; Lost Memorial Cup final
2015–16	72	48	20	4	0	269	218	100	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference final
2016–17	72	45	25	6	0	283	206	95	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference final
2017–18	72	43	22	5	2	280	249	93	1st B.C.	Lost BC Divison Semi-final
2018-19	68	28	32	6	2	169	209	64	4th B.C.	Lost Tie-breaker game
2019-20	63	29	28	3	3	181	208	64	4th B.C.	Playoffs cancelled
2020-21	16	10	5	1	0	58	53	21	2nd B.C.	Playoffs cancelled
2021–22	68	42	20	1	5	250	207	90	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2022–23	68	27	37	4	0	210	256	58	4th B.C.	Lost Western Conference quarterfinal
2023–24	68	33	30	4	1	250	258	71	2nd B.C.	Lost Western Conference semifinal

Team records[]

**Team records for a single season**
Statistic	Total	Season
Most points	118	2013–14
Most wins	57	2013–14
Most goals for	338	1995–96
Least goals for	156	2006–07
Least goals against	125	2003–04
Most goals against	314	1996–97

**Individual player records for a single season**^[3]
Statistic	Player	Total	Season
Most goals	John Varga	60	1993–94
Most assists	Allan Egeland	76	1993–94
Most points	Allan Egeland	123	1993–94
Most points, rookie	Shane McColgan	69	2009–10
Most points, defenceman	Burt Henderson	74	1995–96
Best GAA (goalie)	Kelly Guard	1.56	2003–04
Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played

NHL alumni[]

Franchise scoring leaders[]

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed WHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game

Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	P/G
Brett McLean	C	308	166	209	375	1.22
John Varga	LW	254	154	179	333	1.31
Jason Deleurme	RW	341	141	172	313	.92
Allan Egeland	C	213	138	172	310	1.46
Marty Flichel	RW	269	101	200	301	1.12
Kiel McLeod	C	290	123	138	261	.90
Ryan Wade	C/RW	303	124	131	255	.84
Tyler Mosienko	C	338	81	151	232	.69
Tyson Barrie	D	256	51	177	228	.89
Colin Long	C	229	76	147	223	.97
Updated at the completion of the 2014–15 season

Individual records[]

Career

Most seasons: Doug Adam; Kiel McLeod, 6
Most games: Doug Adam, 379
Most goals: Doug Adam, 212
Most assists: Brett McLean, 209
Most points: Brett McLean, 375 (166G, 209A)
Most penalty minutes: Scott Parker, 732
Most shutouts:
Most consecutive games played: Doug Jarvis, 560

Season

Most goals in a season: John Varga, 60 (1993–94)
Most assists in a season: Marty Flichel, 79 (1995–96)
Most points in a season:
Most penalty minutes in a season:
Most points in a season, defenceman:
Most points in a season, rookie:
Most wins in a season:
Most goals in a season, defenceman:

Post-season

Most goals in a post-season:
Most assists in a post-season:
Most points in a post-season:

Notes[]

↑ Select Your Tickets > Kelowna Rockets. SelectYourTickets.com. Retrieved on 2009-11-27.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets set sights on Memorial Cup. WHL (2009-05-13). Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved on 2010-01-05.
↑ in Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie: 2009–10 WHL Guide. Western Hockey League, 65.

References[]

External links[]

[1] Select Your Tickets > Kelowna Rockets. SelectYourTickets.com. Retrieved on 2009-11-27.

[2009CupBerth-2] 2.0 ^2.1 WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets set sights on Memorial Cup. WHL (2009-05-13). Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved on 2010-01-05.

[3] Flett, Cory and Watts, Jessie: 2009–10 WHL Guide. Western Hockey League, 65.

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