The Kelowna Rockets won91Ƶt have a first-round pick at next week91Ƶs 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 Rockets91Ƶ scouting staff.
Kelowna91Ƶs first choice won91Ƶt come up until the second round, 39th overall. Frey will also have one pick in the third and two more in the fourth round.
91ƵWe have to hope to hit on those (earlier picks), at least most of them,91Ƶ said Frey, the club91Ƶs player personnel director and assistant GM. 91ƵIf we don91Ƶt do well with those picks, it won91Ƶt be a very good draft.
91ƵBut there are lots of good players out there, so it91Ƶs a matter of getting them and having a little luck, too.91Ƶ
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 Gardiner91Ƶs case, it91Ƶs clear the Rockets have no regrets with the decision91Ƶeven if Kelowna doesn91Ƶt win a WHL championship.
91ƵThose are decisions you have to make,91Ƶ said Frey. 91ƵEventually 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 they91Ƶre there.
91ƵIt was a great trade for us, no question,91Ƶ he added, referring to Gardiner, the WHL91Ƶs player of the week for the second straight time. 91ƵHe91Ƶs 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 won91Ƶt on this one.91Ƶ
At this year91Ƶs draft, Frey isn91Ƶt 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 club91Ƶs blue line is always a central theme.
91ƵA lot of times you might take the best player available, but you91Ƶve always gotta keep working on your defense,91Ƶ said Frey. 91ƵWithout good defense you just don91Ƶt win championships, so if the cards fall right we91Ƶll probably go with a D-man.91Ƶ
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.
91ƵProbably the next 100 kids are close to being the same, the way they91Ƶre coached, and the way they play,91Ƶ said Frey. 91ƵThat91Ƶs what makes (the draft) difficult and why there91Ƶs so much parity in the league now.91Ƶ
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 WHL91Ƶs bantam draft is set for next Thursday, May 4 in Calgary,
Fan bus for Game 591Ƶ
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.