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Kelowna Rockets rookie camp underway this week at Prospera Place

Close to 80 young hockey players are in Kelowna to take part in the annual WHL training camp this week
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Kelowna Rockets rookie camp is underway this week at Prospera Place. Young hockey players registered Monday and games take place all week.

The Kelowna Rockets opened its 2016 rookie training camp on Monday in Kelowna, welcoming close to 80 young hockey prospects and their families to Prospera Place.

Players registered and were introduced to the Rockets full scouting and coaching staff, including new head coach Jason Smith and GM Bruce Hamilton, who both addressed the players and their families.

“It’s an opportunity to make an impression,” said Smith, a former captain in the NHL. “Come here and work hard and leave with the Rockets’ organization knowing your name. Remember that every time you hit the ice someone will be watching.”

Rookie camp games begin Tuesday morning at Prospera Place with four games daily.

The majority of the players at the rookie camp are born in 2001. They are split into four teams and will play two games a day from Tuesday until Thursday and one more game on Friday morning to end the camp and players return to their minor hockey organizations.

The Rockets will then open its main training camp which will run until August 31.

Kelowna will play a five game exhibition season with three games at Prospera Place: Sept. 3, 9 and 16 before opening the WHL regular season with a home-and-home with Kamloops: Sept. 23 in Kamloops and Sept. 24 in Kelowna.