Photo credit: RocketFAN
Benches, dentists, and dreadlocks
Things that make me go hmm…
Jun 19, 2025 | 1:00 PM
- Marc Habscheid is officially “hip to be square” in more ways than one. The longtime WHL coach recently revealed at a news conference that he underwent double hip replacement surgery just days after being named head coach of the Red Deer Rebels. At 62, Habscheid, who has spent decades playing and coaching at a high level, understands firsthand the physical toll hockey can take. Whether you’re a retired pro or a weekend player, hips eventually wear out. For Habscheid, the surgeries were necessary and successful. Now, with two new hips and a fresh coaching opportunity ahead, he’s ready to take on the next chapter behind the bench.
- While veteran coaches are managing long-term recovery, young players are navigating the all-too-familiar dental detour: wisdom teeth removal. That was the case for defenceman Caden Price, who recently had all four taken out. With training and travel dominating the WHL calendar, players have to find rare openings in their offseason to handle procedures like this. Now with the Lethbridge Hurricanes after spending the past few seasons in Kelowna, Price took advantage of a short break between offseason training in Saskatoon to finally check it off the list. A tough week, no doubt, but one more thing out of the way before another busy season begins.
- Nineteen-year-old hockey player Tij Iginla recently caught attention during an interview with the NHL’s newest team—not just for his skills, but for his summer haircut. Tij sported neat dreadlocks, a hairstyle rich with personal and cultural meaning. Also known as locs, dreadlocks have a history spanning thousands of years and appear in many cultures, including ancient India, Egypt, Africa, and Jamaica. They often symbolize spirituality, strength, and identity. In a league known for tradition and conservative styles, Tij’s choice quietly but powerfully expresses who he is.
- The Mammoth have scheduled a prospects camp following the NHL draft, running from June 29 to July 3 at Utah’s Olympic Oval, and Iginla is expected to attend. If he participates in scrimmages, it will mark his first game action since undergoing double hip surgery this past winter.
- Not all hockey moments happen on the ice. On a recent flight from Montreal to Kelowna, a familiar face was spotted just a row ahead: Martin Gelinas. With over 1,000 NHL games to his name — and a few unforgettable playoff performances — Gelinas is one of those players who’s left a lasting mark on Canadian hockey. Now 48 and based in Calgary, he was heading home from Montreal. And while his playing days are behind him, you have to wonder if he still feels a spark this time of year, when playoff hockey dominates every conversation and screen. Once you’ve been part of it, that excitement never fully goes away.
- Oilers fans have once again shown just how passionate and dedicated they are this playoff season. A recent viral social media post captured fans sitting right behind Edmonton’s bench during a game. While it seemed like the best seats in the house, their view was mostly blocked by coaches and players once the puck dropped. But when Leon Draisaitl scored in overtime, the arena erupted — and those fans celebrated just as wildly, even though they watched much of the game on the jumbotron. It begs the question: is it worth paying top dollar for a seat with little-to-no direct view? For many, the answer is a resounding yes. Sometimes, just being in the building during the biggest moments is enough. Unfortunately, the Oilers’ playoff run ended as they fell to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.
- In the WHL, excitement is growing as the league gets ready to announce the full schedule later this month. Teams are figuring out the best way to plan their seasons, including the Kelowna Rockets. In recent years, the Rockets have followed a similar plan: they play more away games at the start of the season and then more home games later on. There are practical reasons for this, but it hasn’t always helped the team. The Rockets have often had a tough start to the season, falling behind before their schedule gets easier. Now, people are talking about whether the team should try starting with more home games to build confidence and momentum early. This choice could really affect how well their season goes. One piece of good news is that this year, the team won’t have to deal with The Brier, which last year made them play eight straight games on the road from February 22nd to March 7th.
- Meanwhile, the search for a new head coach in Kelowna remains ongoing. When asked by RocketFAN about the timeline, general manager Bruce Hamilton responded that it would be “fair” to expect a decision sometime between mid-to-late next month. That’s consistent with the way WHL teams typically operate this time of year. Often, experienced candidates will first explore opportunities at the professional level. If those options don’t materialize, junior hockey becomes a more appealing and competitive alternative. For a team like Kelowna, which has a strong tradition and loyal fanbase, it’s about finding the right fit, not just the quickest hire.
- So, in summary: a respected coach is recovering and ready for a new challenge, a promising young player is healing from the kind of operation most people dread, and fans are doing whatever it takes even if it means limited sightlines — to be part of playoff magic. Add in a scheduling rethink and a key coaching vacancy, and it’s clear that there’s no such thing as a true offseason in Canadian hockey. There’s always a story unfolding, whether on the ice, behind the bench, or even in the dentist’s chair.
- At 1,008 words, it’s time to shut the barn doors for another week. Next up: the NHL Draft in Las Vegas. Here’s hoping three Kelowna Rockets hear their names called. Not long after, the focus shifts to the CHL Import Draft on July 2nd, where the Rockets will look to make a few smart additions of their own.
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