Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Meet Nate, the son of NHL'er Rene Corbet

NHL bloodlines continue

Nov 20, 2024 | 7:00 AM

What was once a rarity is becoming more common: former NHL players now see their sons step onto the ice in junior hockey leagues. 

The Foote brothers, Cal and Nolan, were the first Kelowna Rockets players to follow in the footsteps of a famous NHL father—Adam Foote, who played over 1,000 games in the league, primarily with the Colorado Avalanche. 

Now, a new generation is continuing the tradition. Meet Tij Iginla, the son of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, who brings another prominent hockey lineage to Kelowna. He’s the third player in franchise history to join the team with an NHL father. 

And then there’s Nate Corbet (Core-bay), the son of Rene Corbet, who played 346 NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, and Pittsburgh Penguins before retiring in 2011 after playing in Europe. 

Corbet, who makes his home debut tonight when the Kelowna Rockets host the Wenatchee Wild (104.7 The Lizard pre-game show starts at 6:40 pm), was acquired a week ago from the Medicine Hat Tigers, with Ethan Neutens and a pair of draft picks going the other way. 

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“My dad’s been traded a few times in his career, so he knows the feeling,” he told RocketFAN. “He just told me to control what I can control—take a breather, go with the flow, and be open to meeting new guys and experiencing new things. He always says, ‘Keep a positive attitude.’”

While his father was a forward who scored 74 goals in his final season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, Corbet—who is the middle child with an older brother and a younger brother—plays a different position as a defenseman.

“I bring compete, an edge, and fire to my game,” the 18 year-old explained. “I play with a lot of passion, and I like to leave it all out there. I try to be a difference maker however I can, but my main focus is playing with that edge and protecting my teammates.”

Although not the biggest player on the ice, Corbet isn’t one to shy away from a confrontation. “I like to dominate,” he added. “The biggest part of my game is bringing that edge, fire, and compete, and doing whatever it takes to win.”

In his first two games with the Rockets in Prince George this past weekend, Corbet earned a regular shift, picked up a penalty, and assisted on the game-winning goal.

“There are definitely similarities between the way my dad and I play. We both work hard on the puck, we’re tenacious, and we have that drive and will to win. He really instilled that in me.”

Mature beyond his March 16, 2006 birthdate, Corbet has already had a life full of experiences.

“I was born in Germany,” the confident defenseman said. “I spent four years there when my dad was playing overseas, then another two years in Norway. I was so young, I don’t know many words in German, and none in Norwegian.”

With a father born in Victoriaville, Quebec, Corbet’s ability to speak French came naturally. When asked by RocketFAN to say something in French, he didn’t hesitate.

“Je suis heureux d’être membre des Kelowna Rockets.” Translation: “I am happy to be a member of the Kelowna Rockets.”

A third-round selection of the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Nate Corbet is eager to make a name for himself in the world of hockey.

“I’m super excited to be here,” he said. “I know a few guys on the team, and they’ve made it really easy for me to settle in. Everyone’s been really welcoming, so I’m pumped to get started.”

Corbet is familiar with some of his new teammates, having played alongside Jake Pilon and Brett Calhoon last season in Medicine Hat.

“For me, this is a fresh start,” he added.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to grow and contribute with the Rockets.”