Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Price's passion is getting better

‘I love the game’ – Rockets d-man Caden Price

Mar 28, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Never being satisfied with mediocrity.

Always striving to get better.

That single attribute was the foundation of success for the likes of Luke Schenn, Alex Edler, Duncan Keith, Scott Hannan, Shea Weber, Tyler Myers, Josh Gorges, and Tyson Barrie.

All eight have suited up for more than 700 NHL games, with the common theme of being named the Kelowna Rockets Defenceman of the Year.

Caden Price is on the right path to joining that illustrious group.

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The 17-year-old, who doesn’t turn 18 until late August, was the worthy recipient of that honour at the team’s annual awards banquet this past weekend.

“Being drafted here, I knew there was a defencemen-rich history”, Price told RocketFAN. “It means a lot getting that award. I have a lot of great teammates now and there have been a lot of great teammates and players in the past for this organization, especially on defense, so it means a lot to me, and I am honoured to have it.”

The Saskatoon resident, ranked 30th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for June’s draft, collected 40 points in 65 games this season, which was 19 points better than his rookie campaign.

“I am pretty hard on myself, so I expect a lot out of myself”, Price said honestly. “There were some good and some ups and downs. Overall, it was a good year and good to get to know some guys and get tighter as a group.”

With the graduation of Tyson Feist and Jake Lee heading into this season, Price couldn’t be a one-trick pony.

He had to be a solid defender – first, before transitioning into an attacker on the first unit power-play.

“Penalty kill. Power play. Five-on-five. I did log a lot of minutes and averaged a lot more, especially since last year”, Price added. “Adjusting to those minutes and making sure I could maintain and come out with a consistent effort every night was a key for me.”

Price had the fifth most shots on goal of any player on the Rockets roster this season, 51 more than in his rookie campaign.

“We spent lots of our shifts or time in our own zone defending, so it makes it tough to have a 45 second shift and to jump up for some o-zone time”, Price said astutely. “I put up some points, but I think just not plateauing and getting better every year. I think it is good to keep climbing, so I am looking forward to next year to keep going.”

Behind the scenes, Price was always doing his best to make sure he was game ready.

That meant extra time in cold tubs, or making friends with an ice bag on the bus after road games.

“I take treatment and recovery to heart,” Price already figuring out how to treat his body like a well tuned machine. “I try to do whatever I can to keep my body ready for the next night, or even the next week. I was putting the effort in behind the scenes to keep my body maintained.”

A second-round WHL Prospects Draft pick in 2020, the well spoken defender has a bright future ahead of him, and on his current trajectory,  Price could be a multiple winner of the d-man of the year award with two more years of junior eligible.

Scott Hannan won it a franchise best three consecutive times.

“I will be working hard this off-season. I am looking forward to coming back to such a great organization here in Kelowna, and we have a good group of guys here and a good young core.”

Price is ready to help his team defy the odds later this week, when they open the playoffs against Seattle.

That will be followed, likely, by an invite to the NHL Combine in late May before focusing his attention on the draft in Nashville June 28th and 29th.

“I love the game”, Price added. “Every day is about getting better.”