Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Rockets' finalize overage situation

McMillen odd man out

Oct 11, 2023 | 11:07 AM

Kelowna Rockets press release:

The Kelowna Rockets announced today that they have released 20-year-old forward Turner McMillen.

The Carievale, Sask. product cleared WHL waivers earlier today. He is now a free agent eligible to join other leagues.

“This was a very difficult decision for us to make,” said Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton. “With Gabriel Szutrc returned to us, we were in a position that we had to release one overage player to get down to three 20-year-olds. As we move forward with the players we have on our roster at this time, we will keep every option open to make our team better moving forward.

“We want to thank Turner for his time with the Rockets, I want to wish him all the best in the future.”

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Regan’s Take: It is always a tough decision on cut-down day, but this move makes sense. Despite a two-goal effort on opening night against Portland, McMillen had to be impactful in every game in order for him to stick with the team. McMillen often found himself in key areas to score, which wasn’t his bread and butter – his ability to outwork an opponent was – but finishing scoring plays was often a tough task. Last season, McMillen had numerous chances to improve his point production, specifically on breakaways, but couldn’t find the back of the net with regularity. Even Monday against Victoria, another breakaway chance where he couldn’t capitalize. With Gabriel Sztruc returning as a forward, you knew either McMillen or Dylan Wightman were likely the odd-man out. McMillen was great to deal with from a media perspective. While quiet, he was a good team guy, was liked by all and did his best when asked by the coaches to execute the game plan.   

McMillen appeared in 156 regular-season games, all with the Rockets, recording 68 points (24G, 44A) and 181 penalty minutes over the last four seasons.

He was selected by Kelowna in the ninth round, 191st overall, at the 2018 WHL  Prospects Draft.

Forwards Gabriel Szturc, Dylan Wightman and defenceman Jackson DeSouza are the three twenty-year-old players on the Rockets roster.