Photo credit: RocketFAN
Kanjyu Gojsic has the physical tools
Rockets’ prospect looks ready for primetime
Aug 31, 2024 | 8:48 AM
- Let the games begin. With skills on display on day one of Kelowna Rockets training camp, where the goalies had sessions under the watchful eye of coach Eli Wilson, and the players were then put through the paces of skating, passing and shooting drills by head coach Kris Mallette and new assistant Derrick Martin, games are now the norm. Split up into four teams, we are now seeing who and who can’t play when body contact is introduced and space on the ice is limited. You can tell who can deliver a crisp pass under pressure, and who panics when the puck is on their stick.
- There are no guarantees in life, but you would think rookie Kanjyu Gojsic has a real good shot at making this year’s team. Oftentimes, younger players are held back, due mainly to a lack of physical maturity. Gojsic, the younger brother of Hiroki Gojsic, is well built, is close to 190 pounds, and doesn’t play scared despite being one of the youngest players on the ice. While he was chosen in the third round, 48th overall in 2023, the belief is the Langley resident could have been selected higher, so the scouting staff did a nice job of plucking him off the board when they did.
- Among those catching our eye during a Friday afternoon scrimmage was Nathan Cole. The 15-year-old from Airdrie, Alberta showed good offensive instincts and opened the scoring on a nice two-way passing play with 20-year-old Luke Schelter. Cole, who is unsigned, was the Kelowna Rockets second-round pick (33rd) in the 2024 draft and easily looks the part. The scouts got the pick right. Now will the player commit?
- We also liked d-man Rowan Guest. The 18-year-old from Edmonton makes smart plays with the puck and shows composure in his 6’5, 201-pound frame. Guest played this past season at Pacific Coast Academy in Victoria.
- He appeared to be a Pavel Novak look-a-like. After doing a double take, it was indeed 15-year-old forward Von Lakovic. A skilled forward, who appears to be an excellent passer, the pride of West Kelowna was the Rockets sixth round pick in 2024.
- You can see why veteran forward Ethan Nuetens is intriguing. Watching him shooting pucks during Thursday’s ‘goalie session’ was impressive. Now 19, he looks the part with a real nice accurate snap shot. With a nine-goal campaign under his belt, and an invite to the LA Kings summer evaluation camp, and then another invite this fall with the Kings, it has boosted his confidence and it shows.
- Entering the arena for an afternoon scrimmage, RocketFAN noticed a lady sitting in a lawn chair, relaxing behind her vehicle in the parking lot while enjoying the gorgeous Okanagan sunshine. We decided to chat her up and see if her son was one of the participants at camp. Her name is Ali Gailus, a long-time officer with the Vancouver Police Department. Ali is the sister of Chris Gailus, the anchor on Global BC. Her son is indeed one of several unlisted players trying to get noticed.
- From every parent we’ve spoken to over the last few days, the theme is grateful for the opportunity their son has been given. The majority of the time we’ve spoken to those with players who are not listed by the team, but have traveled from various parts of Western Canada for the experience. The run of weather, with sun and 30-degree temperatures have allowed families to walk the water front when there is a lull in the on ice sessions
- She’s back. Kerrington Truitt is again helping athletic therapist Scott Hoyer during training camp. Truitt, the daughter of PA Raiders Head Coach Jeff Truitt, is now in her third year at UBCO. Truitt has also received a promotion with Okanagan Heat Women’s volleyball, where this season she will be traveling with the team as their therapist.
- If you are Jari Kykkanen, Caden Price or Michael Cicek, the veterans have come back with a positive attitude about this year’s team. You can sense the optimism in camp, that this group will have significant success this season. In speaking to Kykkanen, despite not receiving an invite to an NHL training camp, he is using it as extra motivation for a solid 2024-2025 campaign. The 20-year-old goalie wants to go out with a bang, and isn’t mailing it in during practices or games. You like to see the veterans not taking their final junior hockey training camp for granted.
- Spend a few minutes with Kelowna Rockets first round selection Owen Hayden and leave impressed. While he won’t turn 16 until this January, the 6’7 defender is well-spoken and brings such a youthful, exciting, refreshing vibe to those he encounters. If you don’t believe us, check out RocketFAN’s Instagram page and watch his interview we conducted with him on Friday.
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