Several Kelowna Rockets to attend NHL camps

The Kelowna Rockets will be without several key players in their upcoming preseason matches this weekend as eight skaters are on their way to NHL rookie camps.

Forwards Tij Iginla (Utah Hockey Club), Hiroki Gojsic (Nashville Predators) and Max Graham (New Jersey Devils) are set to attend their first camp after being drafted earlier this year.

Iginla was the sixth overall player selected at the draft and the first-ever pick of the Utah Hockey Club.

The Kelowna Rocket finished his first full season in the Central Okanagan with 47 goals and 37 assists in 64 games played.

Gojsic was taken in the third round by the Nashville Predators after tallying 21 goals and 50 points for Kelowna last season.

Graham is entering his final season with the Kelowna Rockets and the 20-year-old was selected in the fifth round by the Devils.

“[Hershey’s] a Playoff hockey team—That’s where every player wants to be. I learned how they treat their bodies, take care of themselves, and how they’re meshing as a team.”

Andrew Cristall speaks to the media about the knowledge gained over the summer.#CapsDevCamp | @Wawa pic.twitter.com/YItdohjLpB

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 3, 2024

Andrew Cristall (Washington Capitals) and Caden Price (Seattle Kraken) are set to attend their second NHL rookie camps, as well as the team's 2023 CHL Import Draft pick, Jakub Stancl (St. Louis Blues).

Forward Ethan Neutens received an invitation to participate in the Los Angeles Kings camp and Carter Kowalyk was invited to the Carolina Hurricanes camp.

The Rockets are at home taking on the Vancouver Giants this Saturday before heading to the Lower Mainland to conclude their preseason schedule on Sunday.

The team will return to Kelowna for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 21.