Former Okanagan Rockets line mates Liam Finlay and Tyson Jost have been named to the BCHL’s all-rookie team.
For Finlay, 17, the latest honour comes on the heels of cracking the NHL’s final Central Scouting rankings ahead of the 2015 NHL Draft held in Florida this summer.
Finlay was dominant for the Vernon Vipers after they acquired him from the Penticton Vees after an early season trade.
In 55 games, Finlay posted 23 goals and 41 assists for 64 points. Finlay finished 13th in the BCHL’s overall scoring race.
Jost was equally impressive as a 16-year-old, playing a key role in the Penticton Vees finishing atop the BCHL’s Interior Division.
A season after shattering the Okanagan Rockets record book, Jost picked up 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in 44 games. On top of his success with the Vees, Jost became the first 16-year-old forward to play for Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge since St. Louis Blues forward Jayden Schwartz accomplished the feat. Jost also represented Canada at the World U17 Challenge in Sarnia, ON in December.
“These two continue to be tremendous ambassadors for our program” said Rockets general manager David Michaud. “They are both such high quality young men, both on and off the ice, Both players work tremendously hard and deserve every accolade that comes their way.”
Jost and the Vees are currently taking on the Nanaimo Clippers in the BCHL final.
Mitchell, DeMelo to Salmon Arm…
Two members of the 2014-15 Okanagan Rockets have committed to the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
Rockets MVP Marcus Mitchell and defenceman Sam DeMelo, both born in 1998, will join the ‘Backs for the start of the 2015-16 campaign.
Mitchell posted a team leading 22 goals and finished with 46 points in 39 games for the Rockets, while De Melo saw his 2014-2015 season come to a very early end after sustaining a season ending injury after just a single game played.
Mitchell and DeMelo will join a trio of Rockets alumni as Branden Wagner, Colton Thibault, and Josh Blanchard all call Salmon Arm home. Silverbacks coaches Brandon West and Misko Antisin are also Rockets alumni.
Since 2010, nearly 70 per cent of all Rockets have moved to play either Junior A or Major Junior.
The Rockets will be hosting a Spring ID Camp for the 2015-2016 season at the Capital News Centre from May 8 to 10. Up to 12 commitments will be made out of the camp.
