Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Rockets forward among league leaders

Andrew Cristall playing with consistency

Oct 26, 2023 | 1:23 PM

Andrew Cristall isn’t phased by an eight-game point streak.

It’s commonplace for the Kelowna Rockets forward, who enjoyed a 12-game point streak last season between October 22^nd and November 29^th.

“I really don’t care if it’s a goal or an assist, at least I am contributing,” Cristall told RocketFAN Wednesday night prior to earning a goal and two assists in a home-ice win against visiting Victoria. “I like to pass the puck as well as shoot it, so I definitely love setting up my teammates too.”

Cristall is tied for the WHL lead in assists (18) with Prince George Cougars forward Ondrej Becher.

“Coming back this year, my focus was playing for the Rockets and not playing for the [Washington] Capitals,” Cristall said honestly knowing he needs more time in junior to work on his game. “I put in a real strong summer, which has helped with my consistency, so I felt really confident coming into this season because of it.”

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Cristall has been held off the score sheet just once this season, an 8-1 road loss in Prince George back on October 4^th.

Selected in the second round of the 2023 NHL draft by the Washington Capitals, watching his progression closely is Ross Mahoney, the team’s assistant general manager.

“It definitely keeps me on my toes that he is in the stands,” Cristall said. “It is good that he is supporting me, watching me on the ice, and seeing him around the rinks across the Western Hockey League.”

Sitting near or atop the scoring leaderboard is nothing new for the third-year forward, who was 5^th in points a season ago with a career high 95. This season, after just 11 games, the first-round bantam pick from 2020 is tied for second in league scoring with Prince George forward Zac Funk.

With the loss of top end scorers Carson Golder, and Adam Kydd to graduation, some wondered if Cristall would have a harder time generating offense. That all changed this summer when the team acquired forward Tij Iginla from the Seattle Thunderbirds.

“He is unbelievable,” Cristall quick to give out accolades to a second year forward who leads the Rockets in goals with 13, in only 12 regular season games. “He was always a highly touted player, and now he is just showing that when he gets the minutes and is on the ice, he can contribute with the best in the league.

“It was awesome to see him helping out the team, and he is a huge piece for us in the future.”

Iginla’s goal scoring prowess can’t be discounted. Teams need to focus on a player who is not only 5^th in league scoring, but has scored goals in five straight games.

“The main thing is enjoy it,” when asked about Iginla’s performance being scrutinized heavily by NHL scouts on a nightly basis, something Cristall experienced in his draft year. “It comes once in your life, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself, go out there and have fun and things will turn out the right way.”

With seven wins in 12 games and sitting three points out of first place in the entire WHL, Cristall is a cup-half-full player when evaluating his teams overall record.

“We are off to a better start,” he said. “Hopefully we will do more damage in the regular season [Rockets won 28 times].

“We really like our group, and we have been playing really great, so hopefully we can keep it going and have everyone contribute.”