When the opportunity to trade for surfaced last year, the didn乌鸦传媒檛 hesitate.
Giving up a eighth-round bantam draft pick in 2017 turned out to be a small price to pay for the skilled forward from Stonewall, MB.
乌鸦传媒淲e knew he was a good player, he was a very good bantam and a guy who could score,乌鸦传媒� Rockets乌鸦传媒� player personnel director Lorne Frey said of Mattson. 乌鸦传媒淲hen the (Brandon) Wheat Kings gave us a call about him, there was no hesitation, no reason not to take a chance, and it乌鸦传媒檚 worked out very well.乌鸦传媒�
split the D before finishing with a little forehand-backhand to pull the boys ahead 1-0 馃殌馃悏
乌鸦传媒� Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets)
Like most young players growing up in Manitoba, Mattson乌鸦传媒檚 earliest hockey aspiration was to play close to home for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
And after being chosen in the eighth round of the 2014 draft by the Wheat Kings, that dream looked to be on track.
But after stops in Alberta with St. Albert midget AAA Raiders and junior A乌鸦传媒檚 Drumheller Dragons, Mattson乌鸦传媒檚 career changed directions last October when he was dealt to the Rockets.
乌鸦传媒淚 was really excited when I was picked by Brandon, it was the closest team to where I grew up and was really nice for me and my family when it happened,乌鸦传媒� said Mattson. 乌鸦传媒淏ut things change in hockey and when the Rockets traded for me, I was super excited, too. I saw it as a new opportunity and Kelowna is a pretty sweet spot to be, because of the organization and the city.乌鸦传媒�
In acquiring Mattson, the Rockets helped alleviate a depth shortage in their group of 1999-born forwards.
After joining Kelowna last season, the 6-foot, 200-pound forward put up nine goals and 14 points in 45 games. This season, with an increased role and more ice time乌鸦传媒攁nd despite missing nine games with injury乌鸦传媒擬attson, 18, has five goals and two assists in eight games.
Frey said Mattson, as hoped, has shown steady improvement in all facets of his game.
乌鸦传媒淗e came on at the end of last year and I think at the time it was a question of getting his conditioning where it needed to be,乌鸦传媒� Frey said. 乌鸦传媒淗e worked extremely hard at (conditioning) in the summer and worked with (skating coach) Evan Marble to really improve his skating.
乌鸦传媒淲e knew he would score, but he乌鸦传媒檚 put time and effort into his game and it乌鸦传媒檚 showing,乌鸦传媒� Frey added. 乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 gaining confidence and feeling better about himself, so he乌鸦传媒檚 just going to get better.乌鸦传媒�
From Mattson乌鸦传媒檚 perspective, his move to Kelowna a year ago has unfolded pretty much according to plan.
乌鸦传媒淚 knew my role was going to expand greatly this year and I wanted to be prepared for that,乌鸦传媒� Mattson said. 乌鸦传媒淚 wanted to improve and have a bigger impact and I feel like I乌鸦传媒檓 working towards that.
乌鸦传媒淲e have some good talent on this team,乌鸦传媒� he added, 乌鸦传媒渢he atmosphere in the dressing room and the coaches are positive, it乌鸦传媒檚 just a good situation for me to be in. I乌鸦传媒檓 super grateful to be a Kelowna Rocket.乌鸦传媒�
Rocket Shots乌鸦传媒�
Kelowna forward Erik Gardiner remains sidelined for an indefinite period after suffering a head injury Oct. 27 against the Tri-City Americans. Gardiner, 18, was struck on the helmet while attempting to block a shot in the third period of the 4-3 overtime victory乌鸦传媒he Rockets open a four-game homestand Friday night against the Vancouver Giants. Face off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
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