*The opinions of a Western Hockey League radio broadcaster*
Regan Bartel is a broadcaster for Pattison Media, covering the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League since 2000. His play-by-play career began in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, with the Broncos. Since moving to Kelowna, Regan has called games at five Memorial Cups (2003, ’04, ’05, ’09, ’15), the CHL Top Prospects Game (2012) and the Canada-Russia Subway Super Series (2009).
Notes, quotes and anecdotes
Things that make me go hmm...
While most hockey fans in Prince George were oohing and aahing over rookie goaltender Josh Ravensbergen's back-to-back shutouts in games one and two, they should be looking at themselves as the real story. Standing-room-only crowds for Friday's opener, and then a sellout for Saturday's rematch. Prince George and area h...
Apr 16, 2024
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Notes, quotes and anecdotes
Things that make me go hmm...
How was that weekend? Oh, my goodness. Did you think it would be that spectacular? For the Kelowna Rockets to win both games with so much on the line was incredible. It felt like playoff hockey. It had the intensity, with so many individuals coming to the table to help the team to victory. Kayden Longley's huge goal on...
Mar 25, 2024
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Getting the mic ripped out of my hands
Things that make me go hmm..
The photo from the InnovationPlex in Swift Current this week on Twitter caught my eye. A sign reading, 'Please Do Not bang on the play-by-play booth' brings back memories of my five years calling games for the Broncos between 1995 and 2000. Brent Parker was the general manager of the Regina Pats back then, and he would...
Mar 08, 2024
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Down the stretch we come!!!
Things that make me go hmm...
It is the longest home-ice point streak in the WHL this season. Kelowna Rockets captain Gabriel Sztruc went a whopping 21 games with at least a point, with the streak starting October 13th and finally ending on February 10th. We asked 'Gabby' why he plays so well at Prospera Place. "There is something in the air h...
Feb 29, 2024
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Rockets struggles go far beyond coaching
Boo birds don't often chirp at Kelowna Rockets home games
You could hear the boos. The crowd of over 56 hundred fans didn't roar out in unison Monday afternoon, but even the small contingent of naysayers voicing their disapproval was noticeable. The puck had not even dropped between the Kelowna Rockets and Tri-City Americans on a Monday afternoon when fare-weathered supporter...
Feb 22, 2024
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Quotes, notes and anecdotes
Things that make me go hmm....
Let me introduce you to Jan Vandervort. I met the about-to-turn 79-year-old at Veterans Memorial Coliseum two years ago and chatted with her this past week when the Kelowna Rockets visited the Portland Winterhawks both Wednesday and Friday for two games. Vandervort is a longtime Hawks season ticket holder, telling Rock...
Feb 07, 2024
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Less is often best
Broadcasting a lopsided loss
When you've broadcasted Western Hockey League games for 29 seasons, 24 of them with the Kelowna Rockets and five more with the Swift Current Broncos, there aren't many new experiences when describing the play on the ice. I've pretty much seen it all, both on and off it. I've had a veteran coach from the other team reto...
Feb 04, 2024
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Will Rockets be quiet at trade deadline?
Things that make me go hmm...
Will the Kelowna Rockets make a trade at the WHL deadline, slated for next Wednesday? RocketFAN would be surprised to see yet another deal considering how proactive the front office has been in the last seven months. The big splash was picking up Tij Iginla in a trade with Seattle in June. The most astute move, which l...
Jan 04, 2024
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Observations from 10 days on the road
Things that make me go hmm....
Outside of the Kelowna Rockets' success on the ice on their most recent Eastern Division road trip, the real story over the ten days was the weather. The team was met by snow in Strathmore, Alberta as they practiced a day in advance of their opening game. Once we arrived in Saskatchewan, no snow was visible. According ...
Dec 20, 2023
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A road game for the ages
You want sports drama? The Rockets delivered
Sports provide some of the best drama. A prime example was Saturday night at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. The Kelowna Rockets players had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, with the realization that just one more game stood between them and the Christmas holidays. The compounding problem was the team was on...
Dec 17, 2023
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Soft spoken defender delivers in OT
Was last night's win a season saver?
Can one game turn your entire season around? I've seen it work; I've seen it fail. I've also seen a loss, so devastating, a team can never recover. Did Marek Rocak save the Kelowna Rockets season? Did his solo effort by exploding through three Wenatchee Wild defenders in overtime to score the season's most spectacular ...
Nov 30, 2023
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Rockets Alumni excelling at UBC
Things that make me go hmm...
The relationship between coach and player is an interesting one. It has been fascinating watching how Kelowna Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette has handled leading scorer Andrew Cristall over the last three seasons. Mallette would like to see a greater commitment to defending, yet when in the lineup, this player can mak...
Nov 29, 2023
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