Rockets 2001-2002 Schedule
Gavin McLeod
Bart Rushmer
Kevin Swanson
2001-2002 Season Preview
Losses to:
Overage: Jan Fadrny, Kevin Swanson, Gavin McLeod.
Expansion Draft: David Selthun.
Goal: Jason Stone '82, Josh Lepp '85.
A proven veteran would be an asset for the Rockets as their defence, barring any trades, could be awfully thin, leaving a rookie goaltender a lot of work. Lepp is supposed to be a good one, but unless he's a Dan Blackburn it will be tough, although Jason Stone did look good filling in for Swanson.
Defense: Bart Rushmer '81 (?), Joe Suderman '81 (?), Blaine Depper '81 (?), Richie Regehr '83, Josh Gorges '84.
This d makes me think that the Rockets have either a Euro defenceman, a trade, or impact youngsters coming in; because with the release of David Selthun it leaves the Rockets' defence looking like a black hole. Rushmer is undrafted but could easily secure a free agent contract and not be back. It would be a huge hit as Suderman, Depper, Regehr and Gorges are not going to get it done. Kelowna, pray they don't take away your Mt. Rushmer! Brett Palin is listed as a defenceman, but his skating would need to improve for him to be a regular on the backend; and he spent most of his rookie season as a winger. With the departure of Gavin McLeod there are huge holes to fill on d in Kelowna.
Forwards: Paul Hurd '81 (?), Rory McDade '81 (?), Carsen Germyn '82, Thomas Oravec '82, Kiel McLeod '82, Chris Diubaldo '82, Ryan Cuthbert '82, Travis Moen '82, Cam Paddock '83, Seth Leonard '83, Richard Kelly '83, Tyler Mosienko '84, Randal Gelech '84, Ryan Coghlin '84, Brett Palin '84.
With 15 returning forwards and a top 4 of McDade, Germyn, Oravec and McLeod, that are as fast and skilled as any in the division, Bruce Hamilton and Coach Habsheid will have one area they don't have to worry about. Diubaldo, Paddock and Cuthbert all made big strides this past season; and with the development of Mosienko, Coghlin, and Gelech, the Rockets could have 3 solid lines. The Rockets need to have Travis Moen return healthy and hope his concussion problems are a thing of the past, or it could be a long year for the Rockets' skill guys. Brett Palin looks like he may fill some of the void as the only need up front is a little more of a physical presence.
Europeans: Give up on the Jani Rita experiment, he ain't coming to Kelowna. Get a d-man who is capable of stepping in right away and can play a regular shift.
Overagers: Rushmer should be back. If not, it would come down to Hurd, McDade, Suderman and Depper, with Depper the likely odd man out. If Rushmer does return, Depper would be gone with Hurd or Suderman being the other man out. The best case scenario, in my opinion, would see Rushmer, McDade and Suderman.
