High WHL draft picks will anchor 2017-18 Okanagan Rockets

Highlighted by three high-end 2017 Western Hockey League bantam draft choices, the Okanagan Rockets’ have committed to 18 players following their annual spring identification camp.

Photo Gallery (72 Photos) on KelownaNowSports Facebook page

The B.C. Major Midget League team revealed its commitment list after evaluating 86 skaters and 16 goaltenders during the four-day camp at the CNC. And head coach, Eric Blais, says he’s even more excited about this year’s 15- to 17-year-old prospects than he was in 2016.

“We’ll be younger, but I believe we’ll be better overall with this group,” said Blais, beginning his second season with the organization that finished third in the 11-team BCMMHL. “It was a tremendously competitive camp and we’re really happy with the work ethic of the all the players who came out.”

Still, Blais expects the team to take a little longer finding its legs once the BCMMHL’s 13th season begins.

“It might take some time for the younger kids to understand what our expectations are and what we’re asking of them. But at the same time, I’m much more comfortable with this being my second year and knowing better what I have to do to get them ready. I’m really looking forward to seeing what these kids can do.”

Among the first-year midgets on the Rockets’ commitment list is Kelowna Minor Hockey Association product Jack Finley, a first-round (sixth overall) pick of the Spokane Chiefs in last month’s WHL bantam draft.

Still only 14 (his next birthday is Sept. 2), the 6-foot-3, 185-pound power forward scored 23 goals and added 25 assists in just 27 games with the Pursuit of Excellence bantam prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League last season.

And because WHL rules dictate he’s eligible to suit up in only five games for Chiefs as a 15-year-old, Finley is committed the OK Rockets for the coming season.

Despite his youth, Blais sees Finley, son of former National Hockey League defenceman, Jeff Finley (708 games), as one of the leaders on the 2017-18 squad.

“He already carries himself like a consummate professional. — so mature for his age,” noted Blais.

The Spokane organization agrees.

“Jack is a big man up the middle and understands the game so well,” said Chris Moulton, the Chiefs’ assistant general manager of Hockey Operations on the day Spokane drafted him. “He plays hard and smart and he produces. He also showed constant improvement throughout the season and that’s important to us.

“You just can’t find bigger bodies that play center like him. He’s a great combination of size, skill and character. He plays a 200-foot game and having that type of big body who can play in any situation is invaluable. We’re always trying to acquire guys like Finley and just couldn’t pass up on him.”

That he has NHL bloodlines isn’t lost on the Chiefs.

“It helps because they understand what it takes to be professional hockey players — what kind of dedication and off-ice commitment it takes,” Moulton said. “But Jack earned everything on his own merit. He’s a heck of a hockey player and we’re very happy to have him.”

Joining Finley on the move to the Kelowna-based midget Rockets will be his POE teammate Tanner Brown, a 5-11, 180-pound defenceman chosen in this year’s WHL draft in the second round (24th overall) by the Vancouver Giants.

Blais describes Brown, another KMHA product, as “a very patient and smart offensive defenceman” who plays a solid all-around game that includes taking charge of a powerplay.”

In an interview with Nick MacDonald Czapiewski on the Vancouver Giants’ website, Brown said he models his game after Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings) and Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators).

“I’m an offensive defenceman who likes to play physical and uses my stick very well.”

Brown, who won’t turn 15 until October, scored seven goals and added 22 assists in 26 games with POE, helping the team win the bantam prep championship.

Glen Hanlon, general manager of the Giants, said he appreciated the commitment Brown and his family made to sign a WHL standard player agreement.

“Tanner can play the game any way you want. He has bite to his game, he plays heavy, and he has good offensive instincts from the back end.”

Another 2017 WHL first-round bantam draft making a commitment to the Rockets will be Ben King, a Vernon minor hockey product who played the past three seasons at POE.

A 13th overall pick of the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos this year, King is described by Blais as “a big (6-foot-1, 165 pounds), strong and smart elite player with natural leadership qualities.”

After scoring 16 goals and assisting on 30 in 22 league games with POE, King also signed with the Broncos, but per WHL rules will be eligible to suit up in only five games for Broncos during the 2017-18 season.

Jamie Porter, Swift Current’s director of hockey operations, said the team couldn’t be happier for Smith and his family and the Bronco organization.

"I think there's a number of things you look at with Ben's game that our fan base can be excited about," Porter said. "He's going to be a big body. He can play a 200-foot game, he's certainly skilled and he's going to play a number of roles for us. I think his character and leadership are off the charts. I think he's going to be a true leader in our organization as he gets older."

The Rockets will hold their main camp in late August with about 30 players being invited. Blais is guessing that of the 18 players to whom the team is committed, one to four will catch on with a junior team.

“There are always surprises — some who you think might move up to junior won’t, and others who you think will be playing for us, will make a junior team. But if the do make the jump, we’re still happy for them. That’s what the Okanagan Rockets and the league is all about — developing players for the next level.”

Rounding out the Rockets’commitments:

Cole Schwebius (goal) — a Kelowna minor hockey product who played with the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton. He’s a 2016 10th-round bantam draft of the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Remy Aquilon (defence) — a KMHA and POE graduate who is listed by the Victoria Royals of the WHL. Smooth-skating six-foot 16-year-old with “lots of patience.”

Scott Gilowski (defence) — a seventh-round 2017 WHL pick of the Prince George Cougars, who played last season with the OHA in Penticton. At 6-foot-5, the Vernon product has a huge upside.

Connor Horning (defence) — projected to have a good chance of making the WHL Swift Current Broncos this season, he’s a described as a big and strong all-round defenceman. The KMHA/POE product was a third-round bantam draft of the Broncos in 2016.

Rhys Lepine (defence) — played last season with the Thompson Blazers of the B.C. Major Midget League. At 5-foot-10, he’s a smooth-skating rearguard who also plays an all-around strong defensive game.

Palmer Jenkins (defence) — converted from forward to defence last year by Blais, the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder will try to make it as a junior with the Merritt Centennials of the B.C. Hockey League. “His game at spring camp was night and day compared to last year,” said Blais.

Brendan Boyle (forward) — listed by the Prince George Cougars, played last year for the POE Elite 15s. He’s a 5-foot-11, 160-pound Calgary minor hockey product who now lives in Lake Country. Described as a “very dynamic centreman.”

Nolan Corrado (forward) — another bantam draft of the Swift Current Broncos (2016, fourth round). “He’s a big, strong” 6-foot-2, 200-pound winger who played the past two season with the POE.

Chase Dafoe (forward) — at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds, he’s a “responsible 200-foot player with a very high hockey IQ”. A KMHA grad, Dafoe played bantam prep last year at the OHA in Penticton.

Benn Krivoshen (forward) — another Kelowna minor hockey product who played with the OHA bantam prep team in 2016-17. “Very fast, responsible 5-foot-11, 200-pounder.”

Will Reimer (forward) — returning to the Rockets after playing two-thirds of the season with the team in 2016-17. Being counted on to be a leader on the team if he doesn’t stick with the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL.

Brandon Della Paolera (forward) — an Osoyoos minor hockey product, his progress was slowed somewhat due to injury last year, but the 16-year-old has grown to 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Coach Blais was impressed with his more physical play at spring camp. He’ll attend the Kamloops Blazers’ camp and should get a long look by the WHL team.

Mitchell Gove (forward) — was one of the Rockets’ best players at the KIMMIT tournament last season. The 16-year-old has speed to burn and combines that with a gritty 200-foot game.

Jordan Lowry (forward) — a Kelowna midget tier 1 team player last season, he’s a self-described “grinder”. At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, the 16-year-old is expected to attract attention from several junior teams this season.

Ethan Schaeffer (forward) — characterized as a grinder with a scoring touch. Played the past two seasons with POE, notching 18 gals and seven assists with the Elite 15s. The 5-foot-11, 175 pounder “works hard and likes the physical game.”

Photo Gallery (72 Photos) on KelownaNowSports Facebook page