Kelowna Rockets
Encyclopedia
The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior
ice hockey
team based in Kelowna
, British Columbia
. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League
(WHL), out of the Canadian Hockey League
(CHL). They play their home games at Prospera Place
.
From 2002 to 2009, Kelowna competed in the Memorial Cup
tournament a record four times, the most of any other CHL team in a seven year span. The Rockets captured the Memorial Cup
for the first time in franchise history in 2004
, the same year they were selected to host the event.
, previously playing in Tacoma
, Washington, and playing their home games at the Tacoma Dome
. Prior to the 1995–96 season, the team relocated to Kelowna, playing their home games at the city's
Memorial Arena
. Following the 1998–99 season, they moved into their then-new home arena, Skyreach Place
. Their logo pays tribute to the famed Ogopogo
monster, of the Okanagan Lake
.
.jpg)
The season marks the first season of the Rockets in Tacoma, Washington
. Playing in one of North America
's largest hockey arenas, the Tacoma Dome
, the expansion Rockets blasted their way to one of the most memorable inaugural seasons in the 25 year history of the Western Hockey League
. Attendance of 14,975 and 15,240 at two heated contests against their then arch rival, the Seattle Thunderbirds
, assisted the Rockets in chalking up the highest per game average for a first year expansion team under the Canadian Hockey League
umbrella.
In 1992–93, the Rockets startled everyone in the league by winning 24 straight home games for an all-time Western Hockey League record. Tacoma held first place in the West Division
for three months and finished with a promising 45–27–0. In addition to the winning streak, the Rockets home record of 36–6–0 and collecting 37 more points than the previous year, proved them serious contenders in the WHL. Once again the Rockets attendance of 13,769 saw them defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 in win number 24 and marked the third largest crowd in the history of the WHL. Three Rockets won best in the WHL West. Goaltender, Jeff Calvert – Most Valuable Player; Michal Sykora
– Most Valuable Player; and Jamie Black selected as Most Sportsmanlike Player.
The 1993–94 season marks the year of transition for the Rockets, with the graduation of high scoring veteran Allan Egeland
, solid forward, Trever Fraser and netminder, Jeff Calvert. The Rockets's third season also brought forward some of the league's best rookies and a phenomenal base of nine NHL
drafted players. Six alone were selected in 1994
, bringing the total to thirteen Rockets drafted in three seasons. Rockets finished third in the West with a 33–34–5 record.
With a strong finish in the 1993–94 season, the Rockets strove to compete at a higher level of excellence. They launched their third season boasting size in defense and the strength of nine NHL draft picks. Adding the skill and talent of one of Europe
's top young forwards, Vaclav Varada
who slotted 50 points and tied the team's rookie scoring record. Todd MacDonald
, 1993
Florida Panthers
draft choice, became the team's top goalie, nominated for the best in the West award. Veteran Dallas Thompson became team Captain. This combination brought the Rockets to a second place finish in the West.
and fifth-round pick Dale Purinton and the hometown talents of Jason Deleurme, Ronny Grimmard and Trevor Lornson.
tournaments in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. They won the Memorial Cup for the first time in franchise history in 2004
, coincidentally the same year they were selected to host the event.
Fans lined up outside Prospera Place for hours to witness the 2-1 victory for the Kelowna Rockets in the championship game at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Every game of the tournament was sold out and an enthusiastic host city cheered wildly as their home team claimed their first Memorial Cup victory. The Rockets are the first team since the Ottawa 67's in 1999 to win the Memorial Cup on home ice and the victory marked the secon time the host team has gone undefeated in the tournament, the first being when Kamloops hosted and went undefeated in 1995.
Justin Keller
scored the game winning goal late in the third period as the host Kelowna Rockets won their first ever MasterCard Memorial Cup by defeating the QMJHL Champion Gatineau Olympiques. Despite numerous chances on both ends of the ice through the first two periods of play, neither team could find the back of the net until the third. With six and a half minutes gone in the third and Gatineau on the power-play, Jean Michel Daoust slapped a pass to Guillaume Fournier, who tipped it past Kelly Guard for his first of the tournament. Less than four minutes later, Kelowna tied things up after a rebound from a Brett Palin slap shot went straight to Randall Gelech who chipped it in past Gatineau goaltender David Tremblay for his third of the tournament. Kelowna had a chance to take the lead just seconds later but found the post instead.
With 13:38 left to play in the period, Keller streaked in from the right side and tucked the puck between the pads of Tremblay, bringing the largest-ever crowd to attend Kelowna's Prospera Place to their feet. The Canadian Hockey League was proud to announce more than 1.2 million viewers tuned in to Rogers Sportsnet and RDS coverage of the championship tournament, including 410,000 for the final game when the Kelowna Rockets defeated the Gatineau Olympiques to win the 2004 MasterCard Memorial Cup.
tournament. They previously captured their first Memorial Cup while hosting the event in 2004
. Kelowna also competed in the tournament as WHL
Champions in 2003 and 2005. During the 2009 WHL playoffs, Kelowna captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup with a 4–2 WHL Championship series win over the Calgary Hitmen
.
With this series win, the Rockets claimed a spot in the 2009 Memorial Cup
tournament, which was hosted in Rimouski
, Quebec
. In the early stages of the tournament, Kelowna had great success, clinching a spot in the Final. Seeking to find their franchise's second cup title in five years, the Rockets just could not convert a win, and as a result, the Windsor Spitfires
went on as 2009 Memorial Cup Champions.
Since 2000, their uniforms have featured a logo resembling the legendary Okanagan Lake
monster, Ogopogo
. Their current third jersey features the monsters head, taken from their shoulder patch design. The team's colours are jaguar teal, athletic red, copper gold, orange sun, black, and white. In 1998, their team jerseys changed from their traditional "Rockets" logo, to more localized jerseys.
regular season.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Kelowna
Kelowna
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL), out of the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
(CHL). They play their home games at Prospera Place
Prospera Place
Prospera Place, formerly known as Skyreach Place, is a 6,886-seat multi-purpose arena, in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. It replaced the old Kelowna Memorial Arena, though it is still in use for smaller venues and sports....
.
From 2002 to 2009, Kelowna competed in the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
tournament a record four times, the most of any other CHL team in a seven year span. The Rockets captured the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
for the first time in franchise history in 2004
2004 Memorial Cup
The 2004 Memorial Cup occurred May 15–23 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. It featured the host team, the Kelowna Rockets as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Gatineau...
, the same year they were selected to host the event.
Franchise history
Established in 1991, the team started out as the Tacoma RocketsTacoma Rockets
The Tacoma Rockets were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1991 to 1995. They played at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The Rockets were granted as an expansion franchise, but low attendance forced the team to move to Kelowna, British Columbia after only four seasons,...
, previously playing in Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, Washington, and playing their home games at the Tacoma Dome
Tacoma Dome
The Tacoma Dome is an indoor arena located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, approximately 30 miles south of Seattle.-History:...
. Prior to the 1995–96 season, the team relocated to Kelowna, playing their home games at the city's
Kelowna City Council
-2008-2011:* Mayor: Sharon ShepherdCouncilors: Robert Hobson, Brian Given, Andre Blanleil, Angela Reid, Michele Rule, Graeme James, Luke Stack, Charlie Hodge.* As of the November 2009 by-election; Kevin Craig has replaced the late Brian Given.*-2005-2008:*...
Memorial Arena
Kelowna Memorial Arena
The Kelowna Memorial Arena is an ice hockey arena located in Kelowna, British Columbia. It was built in 1945 and has a capacity of 2,600. It is notable for its small ice surface of 180' X 80'. It once hosted the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Wings and the Kelowna Rockets before they moved into...
. Following the 1998–99 season, they moved into their then-new home arena, Skyreach Place
Prospera Place
Prospera Place, formerly known as Skyreach Place, is a 6,886-seat multi-purpose arena, in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. It replaced the old Kelowna Memorial Arena, though it is still in use for smaller venues and sports....
. Their logo pays tribute to the famed Ogopogo
Ogopogo
Ogopogo or Naitaka is the name given to a cryptid lake monster reported to live in Okanagan Lake, in British Columbia, Canada. Ogopogo has been allegedly seen by First Nations people since the 19th century...
monster, of the Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface area of 351 km². The lake's maximum depth is 232 meters near Grant Island...
.
1991–94: Early years
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
. Playing in one of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
's largest hockey arenas, the Tacoma Dome
Tacoma Dome
The Tacoma Dome is an indoor arena located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, approximately 30 miles south of Seattle.-History:...
, the expansion Rockets blasted their way to one of the most memorable inaugural seasons in the 25 year history of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
. Attendance of 14,975 and 15,240 at two heated contests against their then arch rival, the Seattle Thunderbirds
Seattle Thunderbirds
The Seattle Thunderbirds are a junior ice hockey team based in Kent, a suburb of Seattle, Washington. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, and play in the ShoWare Center...
, assisted the Rockets in chalking up the highest per game average for a first year expansion team under the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
umbrella.
In 1992–93, the Rockets startled everyone in the league by winning 24 straight home games for an all-time Western Hockey League record. Tacoma held first place in the West Division
B.C. Division
The WHL's B.C. Division was formed in 2001 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the West Division. As its name suggests, the teams are from British Columbia, which is just north of Washington...
for three months and finished with a promising 45–27–0. In addition to the winning streak, the Rockets home record of 36–6–0 and collecting 37 more points than the previous year, proved them serious contenders in the WHL. Once again the Rockets attendance of 13,769 saw them defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 in win number 24 and marked the third largest crowd in the history of the WHL. Three Rockets won best in the WHL West. Goaltender, Jeff Calvert – Most Valuable Player; Michal Sykora
Michal Sýkora
Michal Sýkora is a retired Czech professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League for the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers.-Playing career:...
– Most Valuable Player; and Jamie Black selected as Most Sportsmanlike Player.
The 1993–94 season marks the year of transition for the Rockets, with the graduation of high scoring veteran Allan Egeland
Allan Egeland
Allan Egeland is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft...
, solid forward, Trever Fraser and netminder, Jeff Calvert. The Rockets's third season also brought forward some of the league's best rookies and a phenomenal base of nine NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
drafted players. Six alone were selected in 1994
1994 NHL Entry Draft
The 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Hartford Civic Center on June 28–29, 1994.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
, bringing the total to thirteen Rockets drafted in three seasons. Rockets finished third in the West with a 33–34–5 record.
With a strong finish in the 1993–94 season, the Rockets strove to compete at a higher level of excellence. They launched their third season boasting size in defense and the strength of nine NHL draft picks. Adding the skill and talent of one of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's top young forwards, Vaclav Varada
Vaclav Varada
Václav Varaďa is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Vítkovice of the Czech Extraliga. He formerly played in the National Hockey League in a ten-year span. In his professional career, he has previously played for the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators...
who slotted 50 points and tied the team's rookie scoring record. Todd MacDonald
Todd MacDonald
Todd MacDonald is an Australian actor who is best known for his roles on the soap opera Neighbours and the drama series The Secret Life of Us and Rush....
, 1993
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
draft choice, became the team's top goalie, nominated for the best in the West award. Veteran Dallas Thompson became team Captain. This combination brought the Rockets to a second place finish in the West.
1995–2004: New ownership
The 1995–96 season brought significant change to the entire Rockets organization: not only the loss of defenceman Alexander Alexeev and Captain Dallas Thompson due to age, but the decision to bring the Rockets to Kelowna, British Columbia. After long deliberation and consideration for the City of Tacoma and the many dedicated fans who supported the Rockets, the 22,000-seat Tacoma Dome was no longer a long-term viable home for the Rockets. Key dates became more difficult to secure, leaving the Rockets in search of home ice for play-offs at the end of each regular season. No future of change for the poor sight lines in the arena brought the Rockets organization to the conclusion the team needed to be moved. There were several viable choices prospected. Kelowna's rich history in hockey and the prospect of a new arena made Kelowna the natural choice. Since the move to Kelowna, the Rockets are right at home in their beautiful new city. They have been accepted by the community with open arms and strong local support. With that brings the talent of first-round NHL draft pick Kyle McLarenKyle McLaren
Kyle Edgar McLaren is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:McLaren was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round, ninth-overall, during the 1995 NHL Entry Draft...
and fifth-round pick Dale Purinton and the hometown talents of Jason Deleurme, Ronny Grimmard and Trevor Lornson.
2004: Memorial Cup Champions
Kelowna went to three straight Memorial CupMemorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
tournaments in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. They won the Memorial Cup for the first time in franchise history in 2004
2004 Memorial Cup
The 2004 Memorial Cup occurred May 15–23 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. It featured the host team, the Kelowna Rockets as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Gatineau...
, coincidentally the same year they were selected to host the event.
Fans lined up outside Prospera Place for hours to witness the 2-1 victory for the Kelowna Rockets in the championship game at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Every game of the tournament was sold out and an enthusiastic host city cheered wildly as their home team claimed their first Memorial Cup victory. The Rockets are the first team since the Ottawa 67's in 1999 to win the Memorial Cup on home ice and the victory marked the secon time the host team has gone undefeated in the tournament, the first being when Kamloops hosted and went undefeated in 1995.
Justin Keller
Justin Keller
Justin Keller is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for the EHC Black Wings Linz in the Austrian Hockey League...
scored the game winning goal late in the third period as the host Kelowna Rockets won their first ever MasterCard Memorial Cup by defeating the QMJHL Champion Gatineau Olympiques. Despite numerous chances on both ends of the ice through the first two periods of play, neither team could find the back of the net until the third. With six and a half minutes gone in the third and Gatineau on the power-play, Jean Michel Daoust slapped a pass to Guillaume Fournier, who tipped it past Kelly Guard for his first of the tournament. Less than four minutes later, Kelowna tied things up after a rebound from a Brett Palin slap shot went straight to Randall Gelech who chipped it in past Gatineau goaltender David Tremblay for his third of the tournament. Kelowna had a chance to take the lead just seconds later but found the post instead.
With 13:38 left to play in the period, Keller streaked in from the right side and tucked the puck between the pads of Tremblay, bringing the largest-ever crowd to attend Kelowna's Prospera Place to their feet. The Canadian Hockey League was proud to announce more than 1.2 million viewers tuned in to Rogers Sportsnet and RDS coverage of the championship tournament, including 410,000 for the final game when the Kelowna Rockets defeated the Gatineau Olympiques to win the 2004 MasterCard Memorial Cup.
2009: Return to the Cup
For the fourth time in seven years, the Kelowna Rockets would play in a Memorial CupMemorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
tournament. They previously captured their first Memorial Cup while hosting the event in 2004
2004 Memorial Cup
The 2004 Memorial Cup occurred May 15–23 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. It featured the host team, the Kelowna Rockets as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Gatineau...
. Kelowna also competed in the tournament as WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
Champions in 2003 and 2005. During the 2009 WHL playoffs, Kelowna captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup with a 4–2 WHL Championship series win over the Calgary Hitmen
Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
.
With this series win, the Rockets claimed a spot in the 2009 Memorial Cup
2009 Memorial Cup
The 2009 Memorial Cup was a four-team round-robin format ice hockey tournament played during May 2009 in Rimouski, Quebec to determine the junior ice hockey championship of the Canadian Hockey League. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced on April 3, 2008, that the Rimouski Océanic were...
tournament, which was hosted in Rimouski
Rimouski, Quebec
Rimouski is a Canadian city in the central part of Bas-Saint-Laurent region in eastern Quebec. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the mouth of the Rimouski River, north-east of Quebec City....
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. In the early stages of the tournament, Kelowna had great success, clinching a spot in the Final. Seeking to find their franchise's second cup title in five years, the Rockets just could not convert a win, and as a result, the Windsor Spitfires
Windsor Spitfires
The Windsor Spitfires are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team is based in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The franchise was granted for the 1975–76 season and revived a previous OHA Jr. A Spitfires team which moved to become the Hamilton Tiger Cubs in 1953.-History:The...
went on as 2009 Memorial Cup Champions.
Team uniforms
Okanagan Lake
Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface area of 351 km². The lake's maximum depth is 232 meters near Grant Island...
monster, Ogopogo
Ogopogo
Ogopogo or Naitaka is the name given to a cryptid lake monster reported to live in Okanagan Lake, in British Columbia, Canada. Ogopogo has been allegedly seen by First Nations people since the 19th century...
. Their current third jersey features the monsters head, taken from their shoulder patch design. The team's colours are jaguar teal, athletic red, copper gold, orange sun, black, and white. In 1998, their team jerseys changed from their traditional "Rockets" logo, to more localized jerseys.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1995–96 | 72 | 35 | 33 | 4 | – | 338 | 309 | 74 | 4th West B.C. Division The WHL's B.C. Division was formed in 2001 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the West Division. As its name suggests, the teams are from British Columbia, which is just north of Washington... |
Lost Western Conference Western Conference (WHL) The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the Western Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference.The Ed Chynoweth Cup is awarded to the league's playoff champion.... quarter-final |
| 1996–97 | 72 | 35 | 35 | 2 | – | 298 | 314 | 72 | 4th West | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 1997–98 | 72 | 33 | 35 | 4 | – | 234 | 253 | 70 | 5th West | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 1998–99 | 72 | 25 | 42 | 5 | – | 224 | 282 | 55 | 6th West | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 1999–00 | 72 | 25 | 40 | 4 | 3 | 193 | 228 | 57 | 5th West | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2000–01 | 72 | 37 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 259 | 240 | 86 | 1st West | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2001–02 | 72 | 31 | 26 | 10 | 5 | 257 | 232 | 77 | 4th B.C. B.C. Division The WHL's B.C. Division was formed in 2001 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the West Division. As its name suggests, the teams are from British Columbia, which is just north of Washington... |
Lost Western Conference final |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 51 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 311 | 164 | 109 | 1st B.C. | Won Championship; Lost Memorial Cup 2003 Memorial Cup The 2003 Memorial Cup occurred May 17-25 at the Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec. It featured the host team, the Quebec Remparts as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Kitchener Rangers, Hull Olympiques... |
| 2003–04 | 72 | 47 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 185 | 125 | 98 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference final; Won Memorial Cup 2004 Memorial Cup The 2004 Memorial Cup occurred May 15–23 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. It featured the host team, the Kelowna Rockets as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Gatineau... |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 45 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 215 | 139 | 104 | 2nd B.C. | Won Championship; Lost Memorial Cup 2005 Memorial Cup The 2005 Memorial Cup was held May 21–29, 2005 at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. The Cup tournament featured the champions from the Western Hockey League, the Kelowna Rockets, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Rimouski Océanic, the Ottawa 67's representing the Ontario Hockey... |
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 46 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 243 | 188 | 96 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 22 | 41 | 5 | 2 | 156 | 245 | 53 | 5th B.C. | Out of playoffs |
| 2007–08 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008.... |
72 | 38 | 26 | 2 | 6 | 248 | 215 | 84 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference quarter-final |
| 2008–09 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took... |
72 | 47 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 267 | 178 | 98 | 2nd B.C. | Won Championship; Lost Memorial Cup 2009 Memorial Cup The 2009 Memorial Cup was a four-team round-robin format ice hockey tournament played during May 2009 in Rimouski, Quebec to determine the junior ice hockey championship of the Canadian Hockey League. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced on April 3, 2008, that the Rimouski Océanic were... |
| 2009–10 2009–10 WHL season The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010... |
72 | 35 | 31 | 2 | 4 | 224 | 225 | 76 | 2nd B.C. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
| 2010–11 2010–11 WHL season The 2010–11 WHL season is the 45th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 24, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The 2010 Subway Super Series, featuring Team WHL versus Team Russia, took place from November 17–18, 2010.... |
72 | 43 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 240 | 201 | 87 | 1st B.C. | Lost Western Conference semi-final |
Team records
| Team records for a single season | ||
| Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Most points | 109 | 2002–03 |
| Most wins | 51 | 2002–03 |
| Most goals for | 338 | 1995–96 |
| Least goals for | 156 | 2006–07 |
| Least goals against | 125 | 2003–04 |
| Most goals against | 314 | 1996–97 |
| Individual player records for a single season | |||
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals | John Varga | 60 | 1993–94 |
| Most assists | Allan Egeland Allan Egeland Allan Egeland is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft... |
76 | 1993–94 |
| Most points | Allan Egeland | 123 | 1993–94 |
| Most points, rookie | Shane McColgan | 69 | 2009–10 2009–10 WHL season The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010... |
| Most points, defenceman | Burt Henderson | 74 | 1995–96 |
| Best GAA (goalie) | Kelly Guard Kelly Guard Kelly Guard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He last played for HC Pustertal-Val Pusteria in Italy's Serie A. He helped lead the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League to a Memorial Cup championship in 2004.-Playing career:Guard spent his entire junior career with... |
1.56 | 2003–04 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
NHL alumni
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Todd Fedoruk Todd Fedoruk is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He is currently an assistant coach with the Trenton Titans of the ECHL.-Playing career:... Carsen Germyn Carsen Germyn is a professional ice hockey right wing currently playing for the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga .-Playing career:... Robb Gordon Robb Gordon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played briefly in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks.-Playing career:... Josh Gorges Josh Gorges is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. He is of German ancestry as his grandparents immigrated from Germany to Canada.-Playing career:... Kelly Guard Kelly Guard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He last played for HC Pustertal-Val Pusteria in Italy's Serie A. He helped lead the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League to a Memorial Cup championship in 2004.-Playing career:Guard spent his entire junior career with... Scott Hannan -External links:... Duncan Keith Duncan Keith is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is an alternate captain for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League... Chuck Kobasew Nicholas James "Chuck" Kobasew is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League .-Amateur:... |
Joel Kwiatkowski Joel Kwiatkowski is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Kwiatkowski currently plays in Switzerland's National League A for SC Bern.-Playing career:... Quintin Laing Quintin Laing , is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League.-Career:... Brandon McMillan Brandon McMillan is an Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the third round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, 85th overall.-Playing career:McMillan began his major junior career with... Kyle McLaren Kyle Edgar McLaren is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:McLaren was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round, ninth-overall, during the 1995 NHL Entry Draft... Travis Moen Travis Moen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . Although he was born in Swift Current, he grew up in Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan... Tyler Myers Tyler Myers is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Sabres in the first round, 12th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. At the end of the 2009–10 NHL season, Myers won the... Dale Purinton Dale Purinton is the head coach of the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League and a retired professional ice hockey defenceman, known as an enforcer, who played 181 games for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Enforcer Dale Purinton was... Richie Regehr Richard "Richie" Regehr is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Regehr was born in Indonesia to Canadian Mennonite missionaries... |
Luke Schenn Luke Schenn is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League . Schenn played junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League . In his final WHL season, Schenn was named to the league's Second All-Star Team... Jesse Schultz Jesse Schultz is a Canadian ice hockey player, who currently plays for the Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League.-Playing career:... Ray Schultz Ray "Sugar" Schultz is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 45 games for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League; recording four assists and 155 penalty minutes. Schultz was an eighth-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.-... Sheldon Souray Sheldon Sharik Souray is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He has previously played for the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, who originally drafted him 71st overall in 1994, and the Montreal Canadiens... Nick Tarnasky Nick Tarnasky is a professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for Vityaz Chekhov of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:... Vaclav Varada Václav Varaďa is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Vítkovice of the Czech Extraliga. He formerly played in the National Hockey League in a ten-year span. In his professional career, he has previously played for the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators... Shea Weber Shea Michael Weber is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League . An NHL All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, he is the captain of the Nashville Predators.... Nolan Yonkman Nolan Yonkman is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
Franchise scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed WHLWestern Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
regular season.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game
| Player | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | P/G |
| Brett McLean Brett McLean Brett McLean is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing within the Chicago Blackhawks organization of the National Hockey League... |
C | 308 | 166 | 209 | 375 | 1.22 |
| Doug Adam Doug Adam Douglas Patrick Adam was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach. He spent most of his career in the minor leagues, but did play four games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers... |
LW | 379 | 212 | 157 | 369 | .97 |
| John Varga | LW | 254 | 154 | 179 | 333 | 1.31 |
| George Johnston George Johnston George Norman Johnston was a politician elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the first time in 1921, He served as Speaker of the Alberta Legislature from 1921 to 1936. He was defeated in 1935 when Social Credit swept to power... |
RW | 308 | 146 | 175 | 321 | 1.04 |
| Jason Deleurme | RW | 341 | 141 | 172 | 313 | .92 |
| Allan Egeland Allan Egeland Allan Egeland is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft... |
C | 213 | 138 | 172 | 310 | 1.46 |
| Marty Flichel Marty Flichel Marty Flichel is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL. He was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 7th round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.... |
RW | 269 | 101 | 200 | 301 | 1.12 |
| Kiel McLeod Kiel McLeod Kiel McLeod is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL. Throughout his professional playing career, McLeod has played for nine different teams in four different countries.... |
C | 290 | 123 | 138 | 261 | .90 |
| Ryan Wade Ryan Wade Ryan Wade is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He holds many Victoria Salmon Kings offensive records. He announced his retirement on September 11, 2008, but remained with the Salmon Kings as an assistant coach.... |
C/RW | 303 | 124 | 131 | 255 | .84 |
| Tyler Mosienko Tyler Mosienko Tyler Mosienko is an Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Las Vegas Wranglers in the ECHL. He is the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Mosienko.-External links:... |
C | 338 | 81 | 151 | 232 | .69 |
| Updated at the completion of the 2007–08 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008.... season |
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See also
- Tacoma RocketsTacoma RocketsThe Tacoma Rockets were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1991 to 1995. They played at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The Rockets were granted as an expansion franchise, but low attendance forced the team to move to Kelowna, British Columbia after only four seasons,...
- 2004 Memorial Cup2004 Memorial CupThe 2004 Memorial Cup occurred May 15–23 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. It featured the host team, the Kelowna Rockets as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Guelph Storm, Gatineau...
- List of ice hockey teams in British Columbia