Quebec City — With a pro-Quebec crowd of more than 10,000 expected in the seats on Friday night, the atmosphere inside the storied Colisée Pepsi will be unlike anything the Kelowna Rockets have experienced this season.
It’s an environment Josh Morrissey plans to fully embrace, even if his visiting Rockets won’t be feeling much love against the host Remparts in the opening game of the Memorial Cup.
“I know for myself, I’d rather play in front of a full, loud building, even if you’re not the favourite of the fans,” the 20-year-old Calgary-born defenceman said. “I saw a game there when I was 12, it’s got a ton of history, it’s a great hockey city, it seems like a fun arena to play in. That’s what you want as a player. I’m excited to get back and experience that as a player.”
The Remparts, who are coming off a seven-game loss this week to Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final, will be looking to get back on track Friday with a quick start in front of their hometown fans.
On the other bench, Kelowna head coach Dan Lambert said the Rockets hope to derail any such plans with a simple and focused approach to Game 1.
“The fans are going to be ramped up, the (Remparts) are going to be ramped right up, and hosting, the pressure probably falls on them a little bit because I’m sure they want to do well for their fans,” said Lambert. “In saying that, we’re not looking past the first game, we’re looking at the first period of our first game and how we want to come out and make sure we’re ready for that. That’s all that matters right now.”
For veterans and rookies alike on the Rockets, playing in the Memorial Cup is uncharted territory.
Still, according to Morrissey, the gravity of what lies ahead for the WHL champs isn’t lost on any of his teammates, experienced or inexperienced.
“Everyone understands, whether it’s your last year or your first, old or young, it might be your only opportunity, your only shot at it,” said Morrissey. “For some of us we know it’s going to be our last chance at it, obviously there’s no better way to go out that on top. I think everybody’s in a good mindset, take advantage of the spotlight, seizing the moment not leaving anything behind. I think that’s a great mindset and the one we have on our team.”
Rookie forward Dillon Dube counts himself fortunate to playing for a national major junior championship in just his first full WHL season.
The Cochrane, Alta. native has every intention of making the most of the opportunity.
“It’s the most important thing a lot of us might ever do in hockey, the hardest thing to win, everybody will be bringing their best,” said Dube, 16. “It’ll be a fun atmosphere to play in, especially in that building. People say the atmosphere is unbelievable, the fans are great. I can’t stop thinking about it, like a lot of the guys, I want to get it going.”
Face off for Game 1 of the Memorial Cup Friday is 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
Lambert homecoming…
The Memorial Cup represents a homecoming of sorts for Rockets’ head coach Dan Lambert.
The St. Boniface, Man. native played at Colisée Pepsi as a member of the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques during the 1991-92 season.
“It was pretty cool to walk in the doors again, a lot of great memories here,” said Lambert. “It’s great to be in Quebec City, being from out west we don’t come very often, but certainly there are great memories. They have great fans and it would be nice for them to get another NHL team.”
In addition, Lambert, who grew up in the French-speaking community of St. Boniface Man., is fluent in the language, making his team’s landing in Quebec just that much smoother.
“It’s probably unique (for WHL coaches) being able to understand it and being able to speak the language certainly helps. Whenever you’re around the hotel or whatever it may be, I can translate for the players so it does help.”
Moments after, Lambert repeated the answer in French for the benefit of the Quebec-based media.
Twelve years later…
Perhaps a little déjà vu ? The Rockets are happy to be back at the site of their first ever Memorial Cup appearance.
In 2003 in Quebec City, Kelowna finished third after losing to the Hull Olympiques in the tournament semifinal.
Having played in four more Memorial Cups since (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2009) Rockets’ GM Bruce Hamilton believes his club is considerably better prepared for what’s to come—both on and off the ice.
“You learn more about the logistical parts of this event every time you come,” said Hamilton. “We have more people with us who have defined jobs now so that the coaches don’t have to deal with things outside of coaching. They can dial in and just coach.
“We also make sure the players also get whatever they need to make us successful,” he added, “whatever gives us the best chance to win.”
Asked if he was feeling at all nostalgic about returning to the scene of his team’s first Memorial Cup, Hamilton said that will all depend on how the 2015 tournament ends.
“Don’t ask me this Sunday, ask me that a week from Sunday and I’ll tell you whether it’s special or not,” Hamilton said with a smile.
