Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Assistant GM Curtis Hamilton chimes in

Big change at Kelowna Rockets training camp

Aug 15, 2024 | 8:00 AM

For the first time in over 25 years, the Kelowna Rockets are switching things up when they open training camp two weeks from today at Prospera Place. 

“In years past we would label it as a rookie camp,” Assistant General Manager Curtis Hamilton told RocketFAN about changing the long-standing format. “It would consist of our prospects from the most recent draft, plus a slew of free-agent players that weren’t selected. At times we would have eight teams of players, but now most [WHL] teams don’t run rookie camps.” 

Instead, 80 players, broken into four teams will compete for a spot on the 2024-2025 roster. 

“We will have our draft picks and a few older free agents. It will be smaller and more competitive. It is the first time we are doing this. Hopefully, there aren’t too many hiccups, but we are excited to see what it presents for the players and our coaches.” 

The change was made when Hamilton and Head Coach Kris Mallette came to the consensus that it is an astute way of evaluating talent. 

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“We used to have a ton of success listing players,” Hamilton added. “Players would hide 20 years ago and you could find someone who was playing Double-A hockey on the Island, or in the Kootenay’s or out in Saskatchewan that our scouts really liked but we didn’t have a chance to select [draft] them.” 

Big names like Shea Weber, Josh Gorges and Jamie Benn were all listed by the Rockets, but those type of players no longer slip through the cracks. 

“It was often a case of some of your listed players being better than some of the players you drafted,” Hamilton admitted. “Now there are subscriptions on-line to watch these leagues and we are at all the tournaments and showcases, so the world has gotten a little bit smaller, so it is harder to hide or miss players. We just weren’t finding enough players to list out of the rookie camps, so it was time to streamline things.” 

Listen as Curtis Hamilton talks about working closely with Terry McFaul, the Kelowna Rockets Director of Player Personnel. Just press play:

This camp will be of special interest to Hamilton. Coming on board in December of 2023 as assistant general manager, the 32-year-old was sitting beside Director of Player Personnel Terry McFaul at the WHL Prospects Draft when the team chose forward Eli Barrett with the first pick, in the second round, 26th overall. 

“This is the first year that some of the players that I’ve watched in their draft year will be eligible to play fulltime,” he said. “I know the scouts and coaches have been happy with them and saw them at camp last year and viewed them in games and practices, but at sixteen, you have to be ready to play in this league. We don’t want guys to come up here and struggle and burn a year of hockey. We need them to develop and play. With the moves we’ve made in the spring and summer, we have given some of our younger guys some opportunity, whether that is the 2007-born or the 2008-born with some spots in our lineup.” 

Hamilton played as a 16-year-old rookie with the Saskatoon Blades back in 2007. RocketFAN asked about the advice he would give that group of players who are itching to earn a spot on this year’s roster. 

“It will be interesting to see how many we have on our team and how we navigate that,” Hamilton commented. It usually takes until Christmas to get your feet under you and understand how much of a difference and how your role changes when you are a top-end player at U15 and U18. You move up to major junior and you expect that to keep going, but the reality is there are very few of them that can contribute and be a part of the top few lines every night through 68-games. That is the learning curve they must all go through and we have to be patient with them.” 

Sixteen year-old Kalder Varga should make the team, and Kanjyu Gojsic, the younger brother of Hiroki Gojsic should also challenge for a spot. 

“Kanjyu has some of the physical tools that would give him a good chance of making the team,” Hamilton said while not wanting to put the cart before the horse. “He doesn’t have to play on the first line to be successful. He will be given a long look at training camp.” 

Levi Benson is another exciting new player the team acquired in a trade with the Swift Current Broncos back in June. While fans won’t know much about the product of Chilliwack, the fact that the Rockets gave up significant draft capital in the deal suggests the brother of Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson is a terrific player. 

“He is a smaller player, but he has the pedigree and is competitive and an interesting player to watch,” Hamilton said.  

“When it comes to our top-six forwards, outside of Gabriel Szturc, it is almost the same. There is not a lot of change there, but our third or fourth lines will be quite a bit younger with some spots open.”