A swift and unexpected four-game exit from last spring91裸聊视频檚 playoffs made for a long offseason for the Kelowna Rockets.

On the eve of the club91裸聊视频檚 training camp at Prospera Place, GM Bruce Hamilton expects Rockets91裸聊视频� coaches and players alike to get to work on making amends for an unsatisfying conclusion to the 2017-18 campaign.

91裸聊视频淕oing out four straight last year was a real disappointment after winning our division,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淔or the players, there91裸聊视频檚 certainly some pressure on them to be better but there91裸聊视频檚 pressure on the coaches to be better, too. They91裸聊视频檒l need to get this team prepared, ready to go and get out of the gate fast.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淲e have five real good 19-year-olds, they91裸聊视频檙e going to have sort it out, who91裸聊视频檚 going to be on the first line and where they fit in,91裸聊视频� Hamilton. 91裸聊视频淚 think we91裸聊视频檙e going to have some interesting battles with guys trying to position themselves on the second, third and fourth lines.91裸聊视频�

Hamilton said the club91裸聊视频檚 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

91裸聊视频� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)

91裸聊视频淧orter91裸聊视频檚 had a real good summer and once we get Basran back healthy, we91裸聊视频漧l have a real solid pair back there,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 one of the most important things you need going into a season.91裸聊视频�

If there91裸聊视频檚 any area of concern, Hamilton points to the defensive corps91裸聊视频攚ithout Foote, Hilsendager and Ballhorn91裸聊视频攂ut even then, there91裸聊视频檚 reason for optimism.

91裸聊视频�(Kaedan) Korczak who was at the under-18s, he91裸聊视频檚 made tremendous strides, (Libor) Zabransky will have to step up for us, and our Finnish player (Lassi Thomson) is an exceptional, so we91裸聊视频檝e got some guys there that91裸聊视频檒l step in and play,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭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.91裸聊视频�

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

Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 2018-19 WHL regular season opens with a home-and-home set against the rival Kamloops Blazers91裸聊视频擣riday in Sept. 21 in Kamloops, then again Saturday, Sept. 22 at Prospera Place.

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