‘Max does a lot of things that other’s don’t want to do’ – Rockets HC Kris Mallette

“That leadership is through work ethic, so he was an easy choice for us,” Rockets head coach Kris Mallette told RocketFAN. “Max does a lot of things that a lot of guys don’t want to do.”

A late bloomer, Graham led the WHL in penalty minutes last season while playing on a line that consisted of Gabriel Szturc and Andrew Cristall. His role was not to out-score them, but to get the puck for them while making the opposition pay every time they touched it.

The New Jersey Devils were so impressed with his play, they threw caution to the wind by drafting the Whitehorse, Yukon-born forward in the 5th round, 139th overall in June. Passed over twice by NHL scouts, Graham used the snub as motivation.

“It is a great story,” Mallette continued. “Perseverance. Getting better as you go. Not resting and continuing to work on his game. He does a lot of things that people don’t want to do very often, so it is very attractive to NHL teams. He just puts his head down and goes to work.”

If you look back now, you could hear the train coming down the track, and Graham was the locomotive engineer. He routinely showed up for training camp in great shape. What made his fitness test results so impressive was his ability to juggle his commitment to playing hockey while working a summer job for his dad’s helicopter company. https://grahamheli.com/

Graham, who is earning hours in the air to get his pilots license, was busy getting his hands dirty by filling fuel tanks, cleaning choppers and often with a broom in his hands, sweeping floors to keep the maintenance shop clean as a whistle.

Some would call it grunt work. Graham’s father, John, would suggest it was character building. His son has no lack of that.

“It’s an honour,” Graham said about hearing the news he was wearing the ‘C’ on his jersey this season, with a supporting cast that includes assistants Caden Price, Andrew Cristall and Tij Iginla. “When we were called into the coach’s office, we were told who was going to be where and what. I was lucky enough to get the ‘C’.”

Luck had little to do with the decision to choose him as captain, but that is how Max Graham is wired. His selflessness is evident in whatever he does, whether helping during the summer forest fire season, or aiding his team to win hockey games.

“It feels good to be trusted with such a big responsibility,” he added.

Coming off a career best 20 goal and 42-point season, his bulldozer approach makes his teammates sit up and take notice. Bigger than most with the ability to crash, bang and skate, Graham tries to make an impact on the game.

“I try to lead by example, by working my hardest every shift,” he explained. “I think I am a respectful guy, but other teams might get a little fed up when I am in their face,” he said with a chuckle.

Line-mate and leading scorer Andrew Cristall endorses Graham as captain, saying the veteran of 187 regular season games wearing the angry Ogopogo on his chest is the right choice.

“He does all the little thing right, and you have to award those guys,” he said. He will step up for anyone on the team, so he will be a great leader.”

Graham made his Kelowna Rockets regular season debut October 8, 2021 in Victoria against the Royals. It would only seem fitting that on the same day, in advance of the leadership group being officially announced to the public, the likable personality would be given the captaincy.

“We have a good makeup in that dressing room,” Graham added. I want to focus on the 16, 17 and even the rookie 18-year-old’s, those guys need leadership, guidance and help. I know how hard it is for the young guys to come in.

“We are a tight-knit group already, and I am excited for the year.”

by Regan Bartel

‘Max does a lot of things that other’s don’t want to do’ – Rockets HC Kris Mallette

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