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Former Kelowna Rocket Blake Comeau watches his drive off the first tee during the annual Rockets Alumni Golf Tournament at the Harvest Club Thursday afternoon. (Photo Chris Stanford)

By Chris Stanford

It’s a testament to the Kelowna Rockets enduring success that general manager Bruce Hamilton is considering changing the date of the annual Alumni Golf Tournament next year and moving it up to earlier in the summer.

“We’ve got so many guys away at (NHL) rookie camps right now. I feel bad  that a lot of our guys from this year aren’t here,” said Hamilton in between front-nine holes.

“This is a huge thing for me to see all the players that played for me and you have relationships with all of them. They’re grown men now…there’s a lot of time shooting the breeze and telling stories.”

Hamilton and the Rockets were hosting the 9th annual alumni golf tournament at the Harvest Club Thursday afternoon, with current and former players turning out to play 18 holes and raise money for the Kelowna General Hospital.

NHL players Luke Schenn, Shea Weber, Josh Gorges and Blake Comeau, among others, were joined by current players like Brandon McMillan, Evan Bloodoff and Cody Almond as they scrambled around the Harvest course, but low scores took a backseat to the opportunity to take a break from the gym and catch up with their hockey brethren.

“This is something I’ve always got to make it down here for,” said Schenn before cranking a drive off the fifth tee. “I spent three years here and the organization’s always been good to me.” Schenn played for the Rockets from 2005 to 2008 and now plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who took him fifth overall in the first round in last year’s NHL entry draft.

Luke took a moment in between shots to talk about hockey in his family. Schenns brother Brayden of the Brandon Wheat Kings was also selected fifth by the L.A. Kings in this year’s draft, and although Toronto only plays L.A. occasionally, his pride was obvious.

“Our family’s very excited to have back to years for us to get drafted. It’s a dream come true for him and we’re very proud as family,” said the Saskatchewan native, who calls Saskatoon home in the off-season.

Cody Almond said he hadn’t had much time to clean the rust off his clubs, with the Rockets going all the way to the Memorial Cup finals. That didn’t stop him from enjoying the day even as he reflected on the 2008-09 season.

“It was a good year and we can all learn from that last game but it was good experience,” he said. “I just wanted to come out an enjoy the sun today.” He is getting ready to fly off to rookie camp with the Minnesota Wild this Sunday.

While a few players, like former Rocket Jason Deleurme, can count their handicaps in single digits, Comeau, who admits he shoots in the mid 80s at best, was there for more than just the golf.

“It’s awesome, it’s great to see all the guys come back,” he said. He played in Kelowna from 2001 to 2006 and was member of the 2004 Mermorial Cup-winning team now plays for the New York Islanders, but keeps a residence here when not in the east.

“It just goes to show the comraderie that the guys have of you’ve played together in junior players “I’ve been out five or six times this year, but I’m still waiting for results, so we’ll have to see how it goes today,” he said.

The tournament is was part of the traditional Rockets alumni weekend, that brings together past and present members of the team. Many of the players out for the golf tournament will also take part in the 8th annual Alumni Hockey game at the CNC rink this Sunday. Doors open there at 4:30 p.m. and the puck drops at 5:30 p.m.

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Photo gallery (Photos Chris Stanford)

1. Former Kelowna Rocket Blake Comeau watches his drive off the first tee during the annual Rockets Alumni Golf Tournament at the Harvest Club Thursday afternoon.

2. Former Rockets Justin Keller (right) and Mike Card get ready to play on the Harvest Club fifth tee.

3. Luke Schenn of the Toronto Maple Leafs hits a drive during the alumni golf tournament.

4. Rocket Brandon McMillan tees off at the Harvest Club. He has been selected to attend the National Junior Team development camp in Saskatoon Aug 5-10.

5. The Rockets annual alumni tournament at the Harvest Club was a success again this year, with funds raised for the Kelowna General Hospital.

6. Former Rocket Randall Gellech was dressed colourfully for the tournament as he got ready top tee off.

7. Harvest Club member Geoff Peckett (left) and Kyler Jukes of event sponsor Scotia Bank get a close-up look at the Ed Chynoweth Cup. The Rockets won the trophy by beating the Calgary Hitmen in this year’s WHL finals.

Tags: alumni, NHL hockey, rockets

This entry was posted on Friday, July 3rd, 2009 at 5:52 am and is filed under Kelowna Rockets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.