admittedly didn乌鸦传媒檛 expect to be carrying the load in goal for the so early in his e career.

The 17-year-old from Bonners Ferry, Idaho has responded to the challenge with a run of netminding befitting a seasoned veteran.

乌鸦传媒淚 never thought it was going to happen this soon, but things change in hockey and you have to be ready it,乌鸦传媒� said Porter, who has started Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 last five games. 乌鸦传媒淵ou乌鸦传媒檝e just gotta go with it. I feel good, I乌鸦传媒檓 learning everyday and gaining confidence.乌鸦传媒�

Over his last five starts乌鸦传媒攖he last of which were Rockets victories乌鸦传媒攖he rookie stopper has compiled an eye-popping .934 save percentage, along with a solid 2.20 goals against average.

Rockets assistant GM and player personnel director Lorne Frey said Porter has turned out to be everything the club hoped for乌鸦传媒攁nd more乌鸦传媒攕ince selecting him in the seventh round of the 2015 WHL bantam draft.

乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e excited to see what he乌鸦传媒檚 been able to do, he乌鸦传媒檚 come in and played great for us,乌鸦传媒� Frey said of Porter乌鸦传媒檚 play. 乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 probably won three or four games for us almost on his own, and has given us a chance to win others.

乌鸦传媒淗e makes the tough saves look easy and just keeps getting better and better.乌鸦传媒�

Porter has put up solid numbers wherever he乌鸦传媒檚 played, including the Edge Prep School in Calgary last season where he posted a 1.79 goals against average with a .925 save efficiency. He was even better in the 2017 playoffs (1.00, .966) in leading the Edge to the Canadian Sport School Hockey League midget title.

Despite his somewhat smaller stature for a goalie乌鸦传媒�5-foot-11, 160 pounds乌鸦传媒擣rey said Porter more than compensates with his athleticism and competitive nature.

乌鸦传媒淗e乌鸦传媒檚 a very good athlete and he乌鸦传媒檚 in great shape,乌鸦传媒� said Frey. 乌鸦传媒淗e always competes and not too much seems to rattle him. He just goes right back and battles.乌鸦传媒�

Frey also credits Rockets乌鸦传媒� goaltending coach Adam Brown for helping make Porter乌鸦传媒檚 transition to the WHL a competent one.

乌鸦传媒淎dam has spent a lot of time working with him, there乌鸦传媒檚 no question he乌鸦传媒檚 done a good job and has really helped James,乌鸦传媒� he said.

As for the pressure乌鸦传媒攔eal or perceived乌鸦传媒攐f taking on a crucial role for the Rockets in his rookie season, Porter said he乌鸦传媒檚 doing his best to take it in strides.

乌鸦传媒淚 don乌鸦传媒檛 really think much about it,乌鸦传媒� Porter said. 乌鸦传媒淚 just have to keep doing the same things, playing a simple game and just try to improve everyday.

乌鸦传媒淭he coaches and the older guys here have helped me a lot,乌鸦传媒� he added. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 still young, I乌鸦传媒檓 rookie and have lots to learn. So far it乌鸦传媒檚 been really good.乌鸦传媒�

Rocket Shots乌鸦传媒�

The Rockets (7-5-1-1) open a three-game road trip Wednesday night in Kennewick, Wash., against the Tri-City Americans. Kelowna defeated the Americans 4-3 in overtime last Friday night at Prospera Place乌鸦传媒�The Rockets will be in Victoria for a weekend doubleheader against the Royals, Friday and Saturday nights.

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

whenderson@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .