New fire in the furnace: Kettles heats up Rockets blue line

“It’s obviously a big boost to my confidence,” Kettles said. “It shows they really appreciate my game style and my play, so it’s a big thing when a lot of picks go the other way. Just really happy to be here and really thankful.”

Kettles isn’t entirely stepping into the unknown. He already knows a few familiar faces in the Rockets’ dressing room, including forward Hayden Paupanekis and Dawson Gerwing.

“I know Gerwing [from this time with the Broncos]. I know ‘Poppy’, fought a couple of guys on the team, which is kind of funny, but they’ve all been super welcoming,” Kettles said with a grin. “I played with and against ‘Poppy’. I played with him at the Rink Hockey Academy [Winnipeg] and then played with him on Team Manitoba.”

Gerwing, a former Swift Current Bronco himself, is a player Kettles already has respect for.

“I love how he plays, big physical style, runs around, tries to kill guys, but he’s also a really skilled player. Off the ice, he’s really funny and really personable.”

For Kettles, the trade meant saying goodbye to a group he grew up with in Swift Current. He spent his entire WHL career there before the move west, and while he’s ready for what’s next, his return to Swift Current on December 10th will carry extra meaning.

“I went out for lunch with a lot of the guys, so I got to say goodbye that way,” he said. “Super pumped to be going back there and getting to see them again.”

Facing his old team will no doubt feel strange.

“I feel like it’s going to be like practice almost,” Kettles said. “Kind of being able to play against those guys and obviously compete against each other.”

Growing up in Winnipeg, hockey was always a part of the Kettles family. His father, Kyle, was a WHL goaltender who played for the Medicine Hat Tigers and Moose Jaw Warriors, and Peyton’s younger brother is currently a draft pick of the Prince Albert Raiders.

That hockey bloodline shows in Peyton’s game, which he describes as structured and balanced.

“I like to say I’m a two-way defenseman, but my strong suit is definitely in the zone,” he said. “Just a big physical guy, have a really good stick and a really good skater.”

His experience at Pittsburgh’s NHL camp gave him a glimpse of what could come next.

“It was a really good month that I was there,” he said. “Had a lot of fun. It was unfortunate that I was out with an injury, but just to be there and be around all those big names like Crosby and Malkin, got to watch the Fury game, so that was pretty cool. But yeah, just to be there is obviously a dream come true.”

Now, Kettles’ focus shifts to helping Kelowna climb the standings and gear up for what could be a special spring.

“I don’t think there’s a target on our back,” he said when asked about the pressure that comes with hosting the Memorial Cup. “We still have to keep working and obviously keep improving what we have here. It’s been a little bit of a struggle to start the season, but I think we’re going to regroup and become a top team down the road.”

Rockets head coach Derrick Martin believes Kettles’ arrival will bring exactly what the team was missing.

“Peyton’s a big, rangy defenseman who plays with swagger and bite. He’ll help stabilize our penalty kill and match up against top lines, exactly what our group needed.”

As he settles into his new surroundings and prepares for his first game – tonight – on the road against the Vees (104-7 The Lizard has the pre-game show at 6:05 pm), Kettles knows exactly what kind of role he wants to play.

“I’ll probably be with a guy [d-partner] who likes to jump up offensively, and my job will be to make sure things are solid defensively.”

by Regan Bartel

New fire in the furnace: Kettles heats up Rockets blue line

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