Rockets prospect thrown into fire in WHL debut

Staniforth’s first order of business was the customary ‘rookie lap’, which he accomplished without any complications.

“I have been excited about it for quite a while,” he said. “I have been thinking about it since I got drafted. I am just hoping I don’t fall.”

Video evidence courtesy of the Rockets’ social media shows the Abbotsford BC resident skating with ease on his solo lap before his teammates joined him for the pre-game warmup.

“I am happy for every opportunity I get,” he said about playing against elite competition. “I need to simplify my game with it being faster and the players being bigger, so I will do my best out there.”

Staniforth was called up to the team with both Carter Kowalyk and Jackson Gillespie sidelined with injuries.

“I’ve been getting bigger and stronger as the year has gone by, so I don’t think it will be too much of a challenge [playing against bigger players] but I will be definitely aware.”

The likable defender is familiar with the coaching staff after playing four pre-season games before being sent down to midget for a little more seasoning.

“I think I did pretty well,” he added about dressing in four exhibition games. “I think my first game was shaky, but I got better as the weeks went on. It was just nice to be with the team and see how their practice and preparation habits were and where I need to be.”

Spending this season with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds of the BCEHL, Staniforth is playing on a team that sits third in the league standings with 20 wins in 26 games.

“It has been a good season,” he offered. “We have a good group of guys and we are doing well in our league. We got to attend a few tournaments, basically the best of the best, and we have good coaches and good teammates. We all have the same goal.”

Staniforth is also a teammate of Kanjyu Gojsic, a third-round draft pick of the Rockets and the younger brother to Horoki Gojsic.

“He will definitely wear Kelowna Rockets colours next season,” he commented. “He is just awesome. He is a nice guy. Works really hard. A very skilled forward.”

The hope is both Staniforth and Gojsic can make the team next year along with 16-year-old American-born Kalder Varga.

“The best way to describe me is two-way,” he added. “I like to join in the offense, but I am always defense first. I think I move the puck well, so I use my skating to my advantage.”

A fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning and cheering for the Vancouver Canucks growing up on the Lower Mainland, Staniforth can’t but admire the play of the NHL’s elite defensemen.

“I like Cale Makar, Victor Hedman and Miro Heiskanen. Those are guys I look up to.”

Head Coach Kris Mallette likes the prospect, especially considering the team is lean in the 2007 age group.

“He is another young player who had a really strong camp with us, and it was hard for us not to keep him,” he said. “Staniforth is a good, young puck-moving defenseman who skates well.

“We’ve sent some pretty good young players back to midget hockey instead of having them play here at 16.”

Kole Lind, Liam Kindree, and Justin Kirkland are three great examples.

“You always want to make the team as a 16-year-old,” Mallette said.

“We are going to do what is best for the player and what is best for the team, but the future is bright for that age group.”

by Regan Bartel

Rockets prospect thrown into fire in WHL debut

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