As the defending B.C. Major Midget League champs and defending tournament champs, the Okanagan Rockets will be favoured to clean up at the 2015 edition of the Kelowna International Elite Midget Tournament next month.
The 12-team annual event runs Wednesday, Jan. 7 to Sunday, Jan. 11 at Memorial and Rutland Arenas.
The Rockets, who turned over all but one of their players from last year’s talent-laden team, are thrilled to be back to defend the title, but the club’s GM knows it won’t be easy.
“It’s the first time we have been able to secure the time away from our schedule to participate on back-to-back years,” said Rockets’ GM David Michaud. “I’ve worked with BC Hockey to let them know how important this event is in our community. It’s always a treat to go into an event as the defending champions…there is no doubt that this year will be our toughest test to date.
“The committee has done a tremendous job in making sure that this year’s field is one the most competitive in the history of the event,” Michaud added.
There will be plenty of Okanagan flavour as the host Kelowna Fripp Rockets, Pursuit of Excellence and two Okanagan Hockey Academy (Penticton) teams are also entered in the five-day tourney.
Rounding out the field are the Kitchener Jr. Rangers, Moose Jaw Generals, Saskatoon Contacts, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Delta Hockey Academy, Yale Hockey Academy and Compete Hockey Academy.
For more on the 36th editor of KIMMT, visit kimmt.com.
