Kelowna Rockets

The club was established in 1991 as the Tacoma Rockets, playing in Tacoma, Washington.{{Cite web |title=WHL History |url=https://whl.ca/history |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731211503/https://whl.ca/history |archive-date=2023-07-31 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Western Hockey League}} The team played four seasons in Tacoma under head coach Marcel Comeau, who was named the league and the Canadian Hockey League's coach-of-the-year for 1992–93, although the team won only one playoff round.{{cite web |title=1972 NHL Amateur Draft – Marcel Comeau |url=http://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1972/72148.html |access-date=2018-09-30 |website=Hockey Draft Central}} With the Tacoma Dome offering poor sight lines for hockey and attendance low, the team was sold and relocated to Kelowna in 1995. In Kelowna, the team spent its first four seasons playing at Kelowna Memorial Arena while a new, purpose-built arena—Prospera Place—was being constructed; the team moved to the completed arena in 1999.{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Kevin |date=2022-10-15 |title=Kelowna Rockets |url=https://www.whlarenaguide.com/rockets.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607061627/https://www.whlarenaguide.com/rockets.htm |archive-date=2023-06-07 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=WHL Arena Guide}}

Coached by Marc Habscheid and led on the ice by the likes of Jesse Schultz, Josh Gorges, Shea Weber, and goaltender Kelly Guard, the Rockets emerged as a contending team just after the turn of the century.{{Cite news |last=Vanstone |first=Rob |date=2022-01-28 |title=Seeds for Habscheid's success were planted on the family farm |url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/seeds-for-habscheids-success-were-planted-on-the-family-farm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129012207/https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/seeds-for-habscheids-success-were-planted-on-the-family-farm |archive-date=2022-01-29 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Regina Leader-Post}} In 2002–03, the team won its first Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions with a 51-win, 109-point season. In the playoffs, they defeated the Red Deer Rebels in the final to win their first President's Cup as league champions. At the 2003 Memorial Cup, Kelowna advanced to the semi-final, which they lost 2–1 to the Hull Olympiques. In 2004, the Rockets repeated as regular season champions before losing the Western Conference final to the expansion Everett Silvertips. However, Kelowna was able to participate in the 2004 Memorial Cup by virtue of hosting the tournament. At the tournament, the Rockets surrendered only three goals in four games en route to the championship, avenging the previous year's defeat to the Olympiques in the final, with Guard being named tournament MVP.{{Cite news |date=2020-02-28 |title=Rockets remember 2004 Memorial Cup |url=https://chl.ca/whl/rockets-remember-2004-memorial-cup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517195822/https://chl.ca/whl/rockets-remember-2004-memorial-cup/ |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Canadian Hockey League}}{{Cite news |last=Thom |first=Shelby |date=2018-04-19 |title=Kelowna Rockets will bid to host 2020 Memorial Cup |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4155943/kelowna-rockets-will-bid-to-host-2020-memorial-cup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420005220/https://globalnews.ca/news/4155943/kelowna-rockets-will-bid-to-host-2020-memorial-cup/ |archive-date=2018-04-20 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Global News}}

In 2004–05, the Rockets finished second overall in the standings to the Kootenay Ice, who they defeated in the Western Conference final to advance to championship series.{{Cite news |last=Kerr |first=Grant |date=2005-03-23 |title=Rookie head coach maintains the Rockets' glare |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/rookie-head-coach-maintains-the-rockets-glare/article977457/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517195258/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/rookie-head-coach-maintains-the-rockets-glare/article977457/ |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=The Globe and Mail}} There, the defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings for their second President's Cup in three seasons, and a berth in their third straight Memorial Cup tournament.{{Cite news |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |date=2005-05-19 |title=Rent-a-goalie tradition goes way back |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/rent-a-goalie-tradition-goes-way-back/article1330455/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111183247/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/rent-a-goalie-tradition-goes-way-back/article1330455/ |archive-date=2020-11-11 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=The Globe and Mail}} However, at the 2005 Memorial Cup, the Rockets dropped three straight games and were eliminated.

The 2006–07 season saw the Rockets miss the playoffs for the first time in team history, but the team's struggles would be short-lived. The 2008–09 season saw the Rockets, led by Tyler Myers, Jamie Benn, and Tyson Barrie, advance to their third league final, where they defeated the Calgary Hitmen.{{Cite news |date=2009-05-10 |title=Kelowna Rockets win WHL title |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/kelowna-rockets-win-whl-title-1.796596 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308031954/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/kelowna-rockets-win-whl-title-1.796596 |archive-date=2016-03-08 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=CBC Sports}} Benn led the 2009 Memorial Cup tournament in scoring, and the Rockets earned a spot in the final; however, they lost 4–1 to the Windsor Spitfires.{{Cite news |date=2009-05-24 |title=Windsor Spitfires win Memorial Cup for 1st time |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/windsor-spitfires-win-memorial-cup-for-1st-time-1.820047 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617113510/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/windsor-spitfires-win-memorial-cup-for-1st-time-1.820047 |archive-date=2022-06-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=CBC Sports}}

From 2013–14 to 2016–17, the Rockets advanced to four consecutive Western Conference finals. They won once, in 2015, moving on to defeat the Wheat Kings in the final.{{Cite news |date=2015-05-14 |title=Kelowna Rockets sweep Brandon Wheat Kings to win WHL, advance to Memorial Cup |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/kelowna-rockets-sweep-brandon-wheat-kings-to-win-whl-advance-to-memorial-cup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527001820/https://thehockeynews.com/news/kelowna-rockets-sweep-brandon-wheat-kings-to-win-whl-advance-to-memorial-cup |archive-date=2022-05-27 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=The Hockey News |publisher=Sports Illustrated}} Led by tournament MVP Leon Draistaitl, the Rockets made a third finals appearance at the 2015 Memorial Cup, but lost 2–1 in overtime to the Oshawa Generals.{{Cite news |date=2015-05-31 |title=Generals down Rockets in OT to win Memorial Cup |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/generals-down-rockets-in-ot-to-win-memorial-cup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602040902/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/generals-down-rockets-in-ot-to-win-memorial-cup/ |archive-date=2015-06-02 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Sportsnet |agency=Canadian Press}}

The Rockets missed the playoffs for a second time in 2018–19. The team was set to host the Memorial Cup for the second time in 2020; however, the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |date=2020-03-23 |title=2020 Memorial Cup, CHL playoffs cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6721107/coronavirus-chl-playoffs-memorial-cup-cancelled/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324013810/https://globalnews.ca/news/6721107/coronavirus-chl-playoffs-memorial-cup-cancelled/ |archive-date=2020-03-24 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Global News |agency=The Canadian Press}} In 2023–24, led by Tij Iginla, the Rockets won their first playoff series in seven years, defeating the Wenatchee Wild before losing in the second round to the Prince George Cougars.{{Cite news |last=Bednorz |first=Paige |date=2024-04-20 |title=Cougars eliminate Rockets in Game 5 |url=https://pgdailynews.ca/index.php/2024/04/20/cougars-eliminate-rockets-in-game-5/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517193112/https://pgdailynews.ca/index.php/2024/04/20/cougars-eliminate-rockets-in-game-5/ |archive-date=2024-05-17 |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=Prince George Daily News}}

Since 2000, the Rockets' uniforms have featured a logo based on the legendary Okanagan Lake monster, Ogopogo. A third jersey design features the monster's head, taken from their shoulder patch design. The team's colours—carried over from their days in Tacoma—are teal, red, copper, black, and white. In 2009, their jerseys were slightly modified to fit the Reebok Edge system.{{Cite web|url=http://www.whl.ca/article/chl-whl-and-reebok-hockey-launch-new-edge-uniform-system|title = CHL, WHL and Reebok Hockey launch new EDGE Uniform System – WHL Network}}

File:Tacoma Rockets urban art (cropped).jpg|Rendering of the Tacoma Rockets logo, c. 1991–1994.

File:Kelowna Rockets logo (1995—98).svg|The original Kelowna logo, based on Tacoma's, c. 1995–2000.

{{Clear}}

File:JT Barnett Kelowna Rockets.png

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

{{unsourced-section|date=August 2024}}

• Memorial Cup: 2004
• Ed Chynoweth Cup (4): 2002–03, 2004–05, 2008–09, 2014–15
• Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (3): 2002–03, 2003–04, 2013–14
• Regular season Division titles (8): 2000–01, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2017–18

• 2002–03: Win, 4–2 vs. Red Deer Rebels
• 2004–05: Win, 4–1 vs. Brandon Wheat Kings
• 2008–09: Win, 4–2 vs. Calgary Hitmen
• 2014–15: Win, 4–0 vs. Brandon Wheat Kings

• 2004: Win, 2–1 vs. Gatineau Olympiques
• 2009: Loss, 1–4 vs. Windsor Spitfires
• 2015: Loss, 1–2 vs. Oshawa Generals

List of Rockets' alumni to play in the National Hockey League (NHL):{{Cite web |title=Kelowna Rockets who have played in the NHL |url=https://chl.ca/whl-rockets/rockets-in-the-nhl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203222131/https://chl.ca/whl-rockets/rockets-in-the-nhl/ |archive-date=2024-02-03 |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=Kelowna Rockets}}

{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}

• Cody Almond
• Mikael Backlund
• Tyson Barrie
• Jamie Benn
• Karel Betik
• Troy Bodie
• Madison Bowey
• Brett Bulmer
• Mitch Callahan
• Mike Card
• Rourke Chartier
• Blake Comeau
• Kyle Cumiskey
• Leon Draisaitl
• Dillon Dube
• Alexander Edler
• Todd Fedoruk
• Vernon Fiddler
• Cal Foote
• Nolan Foote
• Mitch Fritz
• Carsen Germyn
• Robb Gordon
• Josh Gorges
• Tyrell Goulbourne
• Scott Hannan
• Lucas Johansen
• D. J. King
• Justin Kirkland
• Duncan Keith
• Chuck Kobasew
• Kaedan Korczak
• Joel Kwiatkowski
• Milan Kytnar
• Quintin Laing
• Colin Long
• Kole Lind
• Brett McLean
• Brandon McMillan
• Nick Merkley
• Josh Morrissey
• Travis Moen
• Tyler Myers
• Cam Paddock
• Scott Parker
• Dale Purinton
• Gage Quinney
• Richie Regehr
• Luke Schenn
• Jesse Schultz
• Ray Schultz
• Damon Severson
• Colton Sissons
• Sheldon Souray
• Nick Tarnasky
• Lassi Thomson
• Calvin Thurkauf
• Carsen Twarynski
• Vaclav Varada
• Shea Weber
• Nolan Yonkman

{{Div col end}}

• List of ice hockey teams in British Columbia

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://chl.ca/whl-rockets/ Official website of the Kelowna Rockets]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081204024800/http://www.whl.ca/hm/ Official website of the Western Hockey League]
• [http://www.chl.ca/ Official website of the Canadian Hockey League]

{{Kelowna Rockets}}

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Category:1995 establishments in British Columbia

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 1995

Category:Ice hockey teams in British Columbia

Category:Sport in Kelowna

Category:Western Hockey League teams