The US Division has traditionally been a pillar of strength in the Western Hockey League.
This season is no exception.
The defending US Division champion Everett Silvertips make their first visit to Prospera Place tonight to face the Kelowna Rockets.
The Tips have won the US Division title in six of the last 8 years.
The Tips and Rockets both played Wednesday night. The Rockets surrendered a 2-1 second lead and ended up losing 5-2 to the Victoria Royals. The Tips were at home, earning a 6-2 victory over the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.
The quirky schedule had the Tips playing their opening six games on home ice, so tonight’s tilt is the first away from the warm confines of Angels of the Winds Arena.
The Tips are off to a solid start, with five wins in six games, with the only letdown being a 6-3 loss to the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers.
There are lots of storylines in this one.
Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette is familiar with Tips bench boss Dennis Williams. Two summers ago, Mallette was named an assistant coach for Canada’s U-18 summer camp, replacing Williams, who was named an assistant coach with Hockey Canada’s world junior team.
Colton Dach plays his first home game after being returned Monday by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
The 19-year-old scored the game-winning goal Tuesday in Victoria before being held off the scoresheet Wednesday.
Tips d-man Owen Zellweger is always worth watching.
The 19-year-old had 78 points in 58 games last season and was named the WHL Defenseman of the Year and was a US Division first team all-star.
The second-round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks also played for Canada at the most recent world junior hockey championships and will be awarded that luxury again in 2023.
The game also marks the return of Steel Quiring.
The 19-year-old was traded to the Calgary Hitmen in the Adam Kydd deal and was most recently sent to Everett by the Hitmen for Jacob Wright and several draft picks.
Quiring, who calls nearby Vernon home, was the Rockets’ fifth-round bantam selection in 2018.
Undrafted sharpshooter Jackson Berezowski is also back after leading the Western Conference in goals last season with 46. Only Ben King of Red Deer (52) and Connor Bedard of Regina (51) scored more times.
The Tips played only one game in Kelowna last season. Colton Dach was named the first star with a goal and an assist in a 4-3 shootout win. Zellweger was named the second star.
The Rockets begin a short three-game homestand, hosting the Tips tonight, and welcoming Brandon this Wednesday before facing the top team in the nation, according to the CHL Top 10 rankings, the Winnipeg Ice one week from tonight.
The Rockets don’t jump back on the bus until October 29th when they visit the Portland Winterhawks in back-to-back games.
104-7 The Lizard has the broadcast, with the pre-game show at 6:35 pm and the play-by-ply at 7:05 pm, or you can stream us online at RocketFAN by clicking the listen button at the top right of the page.
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