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Originally Posted by Matty81
Looking forward to this season... you going to either of the home and home this weekend RJ? Whats the scoop with the Blazers 20 year olds - any hope of Smith or Lipon coming back?
Myles Bell got returned to Kelowna earlier today for his 20 year old season. Huge news for the Rockets. The only bad part is they have four very good 20 year olds. Will be interesting to see who gets moved. You'd think they'd keep their top two scorers from last season Bell and Franko - leaves Mackenzie Johnston a big strong puck all around defenceman and Jordon Cooke to pick between, Cooke was last year's starting goaltender but got outplayed by the young backup Whistle in the regular season and they have a couple good goalie prospects. Johnston really became a rock on d last year and picked up a fair few points without much powerplay time.... going to be a tough call, they should get a pretty good return on either player though.
Rockets have everybody back now except Damon Severson, was a little afraid New Jersey was going to keep him but heard he played pretty badly in their exhibition game tonight. Don't want to see the kid do bad but this could be the Rockets year, hope he gets sent back.
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Probably not going up to Kamloops on Friday, but will be at Prospera on Saturday. Come say hello if you will be there.
The Blazers won't get Smith or Lipon back - they aren't expecting to anyway. It's going to be a re-building year as they traded Cole Cheveldave to PA as well. They have a few nice young pieces though so they won't languish in the basement forever. Tim Bozon will lead their team this year.
As for Kelowna, wonderful news to get Bell back - he could lead the WHL in scoring this year with 100+ points. They'll get Severson back too as he can't go to the AHL - and don't be surprised if he becomes the next great defenseman to come out of the Rockets blueline factory - he has greater offensive upside and numbers at this age than Shea Weber, Josh Gorges or Tyler Myers did.
Mackenzie Johnston will be the odd man out. He's struggled this pre-season and frankly with Bowey, Lees, Wheaton, Martin, Severson, and Martin/Stadel/Yorke/Gatenby on the blueline already there's no room for him.
Frankly in a perfect world the Rockets should trade both Johnston and Jordon Cooke. Cooke is frankly a bit overrated - has great numbers but he's a product of the system and lets in soft goals at crucial times. Whistle has proved he's just as good and two years younger. Johnston should be dealt/released and Cooke dealt for a high draft choice. Then go out and snatch a top 20-year old forward when the Oct 15 overage deadline passes. The Rockets will need another top scorer to win the Memorial Cup this year.
In tonights news, Speedy Creek hammers Regina 7-2. Flames prospect Coda Gordon had three points and first star of the game. Morgan Klimchuk unfortunately was pointless and -2.