Photo credit: Edmonton Oil Kings Hockey Club

By Regan Bartel

Backup issue in goal solved

Rockets acquire goalie

Sep 11, 2023 | 2:05 PM

Rockets press release:

The Kelowna Rockets announced today they have acquired goaltender Jake Pilon from the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for the Rockets seventh-round pick in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft.

The 6’3″, 194-pound netminder spent the 2022-23 season with the Calgary NW Flames U18 of the AEHL, where he posted an 11-6-1 record, 3.27 GAA and .904 SV%.

Pilon was originally an eighth-round draft pick of the Oil Kings (no. 177) in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

The 2006-born goaltender, who will turn 17 next month, is the son of former Canadian Football League player and two-time Grey Cup champion Jeff Pilon.

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Regan’s Take: This move comes as no surprise after GM Bruce Hamilton spoke to RocketFAN Saturday night. Not wanting to rush 16-year-old prospect, Nathan Kam, the team went out and found a goalie to be a stopgap until Kam is ready for primetime. The hope is Pilon can play in the neighbourhood of 18 games this season, so starter Jari Kykkanen doesn’t suffer burnout. For those wondering, the franchise record for starts in one season is 68, held by Kevin Swanson. 

Pilon is expected to be in the lineup for the Rockets this weekend when Kelowna wraps up their preseason schedule against the Vancouver Giants and Victoria Royals at Prospera Place on Friday and Saturday.