Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

A back stage pass to the WHL draft

Kelowna Rockets allow RocketFAN behind closed doors

May 15, 2023 | 9:00 AM

Let’s call it controlled chaos.

Decisions are made with razor-sharp precision.

For the first time in my 28 years of covering the Western Hockey League, the Kelowna Rockets afforded me the luxury last Thursday of going behind closed doors, sitting in the decision room, and watching the franchise participate in the WHL Prospects Draft.

Ultimately, I left the experience knowing that the team is in good hands as they build to win another league championship.

While the organization has five Ed Chynoweth Cup titles under its belt, and numerous banners in the rafters, the one common focus is the ability to draft well, develop them internally by surrounding the group with solid coaching, and then more times than not, add a few finishing touches through trades to represent the WHL at the Memorial Cup.

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The WHL Prospects Draft was held in a Calgary hotel conference room for years, but that all changed with the COVID-19 pandemic, where all 22 teams now conduct the proceedings virtually.

The venue for the myself and the Rockets organization on a sunny, May 11th day was the Landmark 7 building in Kelowna’s business district.

The team was afforded the luxury of using the conference room in the high-rise, thanks to Brent Hamilton, GM Bruce Hamilton’s younger brother, who is a senior investment advisor with Wellington-Altus.

The views from the 23rd floor of the high-rise are nothing short of eye-popping, with floor-to-ceiling windows. It is the tallest of all the office towers in the district, with Okanagan Lake and gorgeous orchards stretching into the distance.

And while the scenery may be spectacular, the sole focus is on a series of laptops scattered across a large table as the draft begins.

Rockets Director of Player Personnel Terry McFaul is conducting his third draft, after taking over from Lorne Frey in March of 2022. He is closely flanked by Assistant General Manager Curtis Hamilton. Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton is situated in one of the boardroom chairs, as is Kelowna-based scout Tyler Parfeniuk, Head Coach Kris Mallette, Assistant Josh McNevin, and social media guru Paige Bednorz.

Bednorz’s sole purpose, outside of using the high-tech Nespresso coffee machine in the staff room nearby, is hitting up all of the team’s social media platforms, announcing to followers how the team is growing its protected list with 15-year-old talent.

The surprising rocket star in the room though, is Curtis Hamilton. Retiring after the 2021-2022 campaign after playing several seasons in Europe, Hamilton was named to the post of assistant general manager in December.

The 31-year-old has fast-tracked his way to becoming one of the most knowledgeable eyes the Rockets have on the ground watching players eligible for the draft. Much of this past winter, Hamilton was spending time on the road identifying players that were draft eligible, and it shows.

During the draft, Hamilton works in tandem with McFaul as players are chosen prior to the Rockets making their first pick – 26th overall in the second round.

The general takeaway is McFaul and Hamilton have a vast knowledge of the players that are being plucked off the board by other teams, while having a tremendous grasp of the players the organization has earmarked as possible prospects when they are given the chance to participate.

Across the table, Bruce Hamilton is at the ready, busy on his cellphone, preparing to make pitches to fellow GMs across the WHL to move up or down in the selection process if required.

With no first-round picks in 2023, its an anxious waiting game as fellow teams make predicted and sometimes eye-raising selections.

The pace in the draft picks up once the opening round is over.

The Rockets get their chance when they choose forward Eli Barrett from St. George’s School U15 Prep.

McFaul and Curtis Hamilton are in total agreement on the selection of the player, and after a quick consultation with several other team scouts who have joined the proceedings via video, the consensus is Barrett is the right choice.

Barrett led his team with 31 goals and 73 points in just 27 games and was fourth in CSSHL scoring this past season. The league’s leading scorer, Liam Ruck is chosen 9th overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers, while second-leading scorer and twin brother Markus is chosen with the 21st selection, again by the Tigers.

The third leading scorer in the CSSHL just ahead of Barrett is Mathis Preston, who is plucked off the board third overall by Spokane, so getting Barrett, despite the Rockets drafting from an area of weakness, not strength as they will in 2024 with two first-round picks, looks to be an astute move.

There is no hooting and hollering once the selection is made.

No high fives.

It’s not the Kelowna Rockets’ way.

When the bar is set high, while it may be a small victory high above the city with the acquisition of a game-changing player, the pat on the back among the scouting staff will come when that player, in this case, Barrett and the others chosen in the 2023 draft class, are instrumental in leading the franchise to another championship title.