In his nearly three decades with the 91裸聊视频� organization, Lorne Frey has seen his share of high-end 16-year-old prospects come and go.
A scant few have come to the Western Hockey League club with as much potential and promise as defenceman
If the future unfolds as Frey believes it will, the club91裸聊视频檚 2016 first-round draft pick from Yorkton, SK., will be a stabilizing force on the Rockets91裸聊视频� blueline for years to come.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 been very good, everything we expected him to be,91裸聊视频� said Frey, the Rockets91裸聊视频� director of player personnel and assistant GM. 91裸聊视频淲e saw it last year, how good he was as a 15-year-old and he91裸聊视频檚 continued to improve. He91裸聊视频檚 very good in all areas of the game, and we were just very fortunate to get him in the draft.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 likely going to be a cornerstone on our back end for hopefully the next three to four years.91裸聊视频�
To be talked about with the same acclaim as some of the best rearguards ever to wear a Rockets91裸聊视频� uniform could easily be an overwhelming concept for a player whose WHL career has barely begun.
But Korczak is doing his best to take it all in stride.
91裸聊视频淭here are some expectations of me, I know they91裸聊视频檙e high but the coaches are doing a real good job of prepping us and getting the young guys ready for it,91裸聊视频� said Korczak, the Rockets first choice, 11th overall in last year91裸聊视频檚 draft. 91裸聊视频淚 know what I need to do, so if I just play my game and stick to that, I should be fine out here.91裸聊视频�
Korczak got his feet wet in major junior hockey last season, playing in four regular season games with the Rockets and five more in the playoffs.
It was just the exposure the 6-foot-2, 175-pound defenceman needed to jump-start what the Rockets envision will be a long and prosperous career in the WHL.
91裸聊视频淚t was huge for me playing in playoffs and regular season last year, getting a good idea of what it takes to play against guys at this level,91裸聊视频� said Korczak, who had 11 goals and 29 points last season with the Yorkton midget AAA Maulers. 91裸聊视频淚 came back this year knowing the guys, it91裸聊视频檚 nice to see them again and be part of this.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 super lucky to come here and I know the (Rockets) will do everything they can to push me to the next level as a player.91裸聊视频�
And the Rockets are looking forward to watching Korczak91裸聊视频檚 progress every step of the way.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檒l be a top-six guy this year and play lots of minutes in all situations,91裸聊视频� said Frey. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 an exceptional individual and an exceptional player, we91裸聊视频檙e fortunate to get him.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 a great skater, he moves the puck well, he91裸聊视频檚 smart, he competes and has great offensive ability. He91裸聊视频檚 developed into something special.91裸聊视频�
Korczak and his Rockets teammates will open their exhibition schedule Saturday night at home to the Victoria Royals. Face off at Prospera Place is 7 p.m.
