Tacoma Rockets
Encyclopedia
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, where they became the Kelowna Rockets
. While the Rockets drew good crowds when they played the Seattle Thunderbirds
, they did not draw as well with other teams. The Tacoma Dome
was not well-suited for hockey as the risers for the seats were too shallow, making the sightlines bad for hockey.
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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 strive 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.
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...
team 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...
from 1991 to 1995. They played 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:...
in Tacoma, Washington
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...
. The Rockets were granted as an expansion franchise, but low attendance forced the team to move to Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna, British Columbia
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"...
after only four seasons, where they became the Kelowna Rockets
Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....
. While the Rockets drew good crowds when they played 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...
, they did not draw as well with other teams. The Tacoma Dome
Tacoma Dome
The Tacoma Dome is an indoor arena located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, approximately 30 miles south of Seattle.-History:...
was not well-suited for hockey as the risers for the seats were too shallow, making the sightlines bad for hockey.
Franchise history
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 strive 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.
Season-by-season records
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against| Season | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1991–92 | 72 | 24 | 43 | 5 | 273 | 346 | 53 | 6th West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 1992–93 | 72 | 45 | 27 | 0 | 324 | 259 | 90 | 2nd West | Lost West Division quarter-final |
| 1993–94 | 72 | 33 | 34 | 5 | 303 | 301 | 71 | 3rd West | Lost West Division semi-final |
| 1994–95 | 72 | 43 | 27 | 2 | 294 | 246 | 88 | 2nd West | Eliminated in round robin |
NHL alumni
|
Scott Hannan -External links:... Tavis Hansen Tavis Svend Hansen is a retired professional ice hockey player.Hansen played 2 seasons of junior hockey for the Tacoma Rockets of the Western Hockey League.... 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:... |
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... Brett McLean Brett McLean is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing within the Chicago Blackhawks organization of the National Hockey League... Lasse Pirjetä Lasse Pirjetä is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Pelicans in the Finnish SM-liiga... |
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... 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:... 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... |