‘I’m excited to see where we can grow’ – HC Derrick Martin

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So far, the results have been encouraging. Kelowna sits fourth in the Western Conference, six points behind the first-place Spokane Chiefs, with points in 11 of its last 12 games.

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But Martin believes there’s more to accomplish.

The Rockets collected three of four possible points last weekend in Prince George, despite playing without four regulars. Goaltender Harrison Boettiger was particularly impressive, allowing just three goals over the two games.

Still, Martin isn’t entirely satisfied with where his team sits.

“We’re not as satisfied as certain other people are with where our record’s at,” Martin said. “We feel like we’ve given some points away that we now have to make up and find a way in some games that, you know, people are doubting us in.”

That mindset comes from a coaching staff and group of players that understand how difficult it can be to build a successful team.

Martin has experienced the struggles of a rebuilding club and the excitement of being part of a team that reached the Memorial Cup. He believes both experiences have helped shape the current group.

“The neat part is we know what it feels like to be on the side where you’re getting your butt kicked and we know what it feels like,” Martin said. “So we’re not taking this for granted.”

For the Rockets, part of the challenge this season has been helping younger players understand that success at the WHL level doesn’t happen overnight.

Martin believes many players arrive with high expectations of themselves. They know what they want to become, but learning what it takes to earn a regular role and contribute to team success is another matter.

“When you get to this level, you really have to earn your self-worth,” he said.

Martin points to players such as Eli Barrett, Jake Henderson and Owen Folstrom as examples of individuals who have worked through that process.

“They’ve earned that confidence, and they’ve earned that self-worth,” Martin said. “We’ve watched them grow from the player that they think that they’re going to be to growing into the player that they really need to be for team success first and foremost.”

Henderson has emerged as one of the more productive young defensemen on the roster. The third-year veteran leads all Rockets defencemen with six goals, a reflection of the progress he’s made in his development.

It’s that willingness to learn and embrace new responsibilities that Martin enjoys seeing from his players.

Last season, during the Rockets’ Memorial Cup run, the coaching staff made a conscious effort to keep players focused on the experience rather than outside expectations.

That meant encouraging them to stay away from social media and appreciate the opportunity they had in front of them.

“Just let them focus on, be where your feet are at, enjoy your teammates, enjoy your time as a Kelowna Rocket,” Martin said.

It’s a message that remains relevant this season, even with a younger group trying to establish itself.

The Rockets have shown they can compete in the Western Conference, but Martin wants his players to understand that their current position in the standings is only part of the process.

There’s still work to do, and the coach is enjoying watching the group figure things out along the way.

“We’re having a lot of fun,” he said. “I’m excited to see where we can continue to grow this.”

The next opportunity comes tonight when the Moose Jaw Warriors visit Prospera Place to open a four-game homestand.

After collecting three of four points in Prince George, the Rockets will look to carry that momentum onto home ice. Four consecutive games in front of their own fans also provide an opportunity to continue building on what has been an encouraging start to the season.