What a year for the Kelowna Rockets organization. 2010 will go down as another great year for the franchise, it's 19th in the Western Hockey League. Here are some of the top stories from the year that was.
January 6th: Brandon McMillan and Team Canada fall in overtime to the U.S.A at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Less than 24 hours after that defeat, McMillan is welcomed back at Kelowna International Airport by Rockets head coach Ryan Huska and his teammates.
January 11th: The Rockets acquire 20 year-old defenceman Dallas Jackson from Prince George for 20 year-old forward Tyler Halliday and a third round bantam pick.
January 26th: General Manager Bruce Hamilton received word that he would be inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in July. Hamilton would be inducted alongside NHL player Trevor Linden. The official ceremony was held July 23rd in Penticton.
January 28th: It was announced that UBC Okanagan was conducting a study on the economic impact the Kelowna Rockets provide on the city. In late October it was revealed the team generates over 31 million dollar annually to the local economy.
February 12th: Cody Almond makes his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild.
February 20th: Forward Cody Chikie breaks his collarbone against the Calgary Hitmen and is lost for the remainder of the season.
February 24th: Evan Bloodoff returns to the lineup after missing the first 63 games after undergoing knee surgery. Bloodoff is in the lineup against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
February 28th: Alumnus Shea Weber and Duncan Keith help Canada win gold at Winter Olympics.
March 29th: The Rockets provided an opening round upset by beating the Everett Silvertips 2-1 in game seven of their opening round playoff series.
April 9th: The Rockets season comes to an end with a 4-3 overtime loss in game five against the Tri City Americans. Kruise Reddick scores the game winner on the power play.
April 11th: Goaltender Mark Guggenberger and captain Lucas Bloodoff are called up by the AHL Manitoba Moose.
April 28th: Defenceman Tyson Barrie is named the WHL Defenceman of the Year.
April 29th: The Rockets select two defenceman with their first two picks in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. In round one the Rockets pick Jesse Less. In round two, with the first pick in the second round, they snap up d-man Madison Bowey.
April 30th: The Detroit Red Wings make it official. The NHL team signs forward Mitchell Callahan to a contract.
May 14th: The Rockets organization sends out a press release saying they have given forward Kyle St. Denis until July 1st to decide if he is able to come back from a series of concussions. As it turns out, St. Denis decides to leave the team and looks at the possibility of playing in the BCHL with his brother in Trail.
May 27th: Brandon McMillan signs a entry level three year deal with the Anaheim Ducks.
June 7th: Ryan Huska is named an assistant coach to Canada's entry at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship in Buffalo, New York.
June 23rd: Tyler Myers picks up the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year.
June 26th: Brett Bulmer is taken in the second round of the NHL draft by the Minnesota Wild.
June 29th: In the CHL Euro Draft the Rockets obtain the rights to 19 year-old Norwegian born Andreas Stene with the 25th pick overall. Later in the draft they acquire forward Gal Koren.
July 18th: Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith brings the Stanley Cup back to Penticton.
September 22nd: The Minnesota Wild sign free agent defenceman Colton Jobke.
September 23rd: GM Bruce Hamilton is named the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce 'Business Leader of the Year".
November 21st: Brandon McMillan makes his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks against the visiting Edmonton Oilers.
December 2nd: The Rockets announce head coach Ryan Huska has signed a contract extension with the team through 2013-2014.
December 7th: The Rockets acquire Zak Stebner from the Tri City Americans and releasing 20 year-old Branden Wall.
December 15th: Tyson Barrie is named to the roster for the Canadian World Junior team.
Am I missing something here that you see as significant for the Rockets organization in 2010? If so, leave a comment.
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