By Regan Bartel
Rockets gather around Xmas tree

Feast and focus: Kelowna Rockets players enjoy Christmas while staying game-ready

Dec 23, 2024 | 7:00 AM

While Christmas is a time to relax, enjoy family, and indulge a little, Kelowna Rockets players will still need to follow some team rules during the holiday break.

They can certainly open presents, enjoy their well-deserved time off, and eat what they like within reason, but staying in top shape is also important. Even during the holidays, athletes have to maintain a balance.

“We don’t send them home with their [hockey] equipment,” Rockets head coach Kris Mallette said about his players heading home for the festive season. “I know they all have a second pair of skates where they can go to an outdoor rink and play some shinny.”

He continued, “We don’t recommend them skiing, snowboarding or doing anything that could jeopardize your body, but it’s a time to be around family and relax, reset, and recharge.”

It’s a time to unwind, but also to keep focused and prepare for the rest of the season ahead. For some players, that might mean indulging in grandma’s or mom’s baked goods and fully enjoying the Christmas meal with all the fixings.

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“I would assume a lot of players have lost some weight during the season,” Mallette added when asked if his players have to watch their waistlines. “Bulking up and having some turkey and letting mom or dad spoil you a little bit—they burn it off.”

He chuckled and reflected, “I remember when we played, we had to weigh in before and after we came back from Christmas, and there were some fines among the players if you were overweight. But our players are born and bred a bit differently than when I played.”

The Rockets officially have a 10-day break, with players required to return to Kelowna on Boxing Day for a quick practice. They’ll then hit the ice one last time before resuming the season on December 28th with a home game against the Kamloops Blazers.

“The game elevates in the second half, especially after the trade deadline when some teams are going for it [WHL championship] or some are selling,” Mallette said. “That typically brings more competition, so when the guys return, it will be up to the staff to manage workload and be prepared to play every day.”

So far, the Rockets and Tri-City Americans have played a Western Conference-low 30 games, meaning the schedule gets much busier with 38 games to go from December 28th until the regular season concludes on March 23rd against the Vancouver Giants.

“It is a demanding schedule,” Mallette acknowledged. “School, practice, games, travel—our players need a reset, and being around family and friends at this time of year is good for everybody.”

by Regan Bartel

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