2012-13 record: 52-16-3-1 (Lost to Kamloops in Conference semi-finals)
The Rockets made their way to the B.C. Division title last year on the strength of a 24-game home winning streak. However, injuries took their toll, as they needed all of their strength to beat Seattle in the opening round after being down 3-0 in the series and were unable to do the same to Kamloops in the Conference semis. The Rockets were the second best team on offense, behind only Portland, and were only behind Edmonton and Portland in goals allowed. However, they lose their third leading scorer in Dylen McKinlay, as well as JT Barnett and Cody Fowlie. Ryan Olsen and Tyson Baillie are definitely returning, which should soften any potential losses of Colton Sissons, Zach Franko, and Myles Bell. Defensively, they should be well off, as Madison Bowey, Mitchell Wheaton, and Damon Severson are expected to return. Goaltending is less certain if Jordon Cooke doesn't return as one of three overagers on the team, but Jackson Whistle did play well when called upon, and with most of the blue line returning, that bodes well for whoever starts in goal.
Prediction: 2nd in the West
With Kamloops rebuilding and Vancouver still at least a year away from contending, Kelowna is a favorite to repeat as B.C. Division champions. However, they do play in a division where Victoria also plays, and that means three potential challengers with good cases to be B.C. Division champions this year, and Kelowna will be needing to replace some offense from last year. If they do find some replacements, they're the odds-on favorite to repeat, as they have the defensive pieces in place.
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