Chizen ready to stand tall for Rockets

If the Kelowna Rockets feel there are some big shoes to fill on the backend this season, they have taken at least one giant step to fill the void.

Like every other Western Hockey League team, the Rockets graduated their overage players at the end of last season. Indeed, in Kelowna the blueline brigade took rather a large hit.

Gone is solid veteran rearguard Gordie Ballhorn, who appeared in all 72 games for the Rockets last season and has moved on to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (USPORTS).

Also departing from junior hockey is James Hilsendager, who fit in very nicely with Kelowna after coming over from the Regina Pats in a trade during his 19-year-old season. Hilsendager is returning to the Queen City to suit up with the University of Regina Cougars (USPORTS).

With the 2018-19 WHL season just around the corner, defenceman Braydyn Chizen is readying for an increased role, having landed one of the Rockets 20-year-old spots.

Braydyn Chizen

Chizen, a right-handed shooter from St. Albert, Alberta, checks in at a slender but towering 6’6 and 207 pounds. While there is room on his frame to add some bulk, the affable defender exudes a calmness and patience that could serve the Rockets very well this season.

The Rockets selected Chizen in the ninth round, 197th overall at the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. Since then, he has played three full seasons in Kelowna and has, for now, earned the nod as one of the team’s overage players.

Chizen was a versatile defender last year, showing some offensive spark during the second half of the season. He has also shown a willingness to come to the aid of his teammates when opponents have chosen to take liberties.

Selected in the seventh round, 204th overall by the Minnesota Wild at the 2016 NHL Draft, Chizen went unsigned and finds himself back in Kelowna for what will be his fourth full season with the Rockets. He remembers well the veteran players who reached out during his formative WHL seasons and looks forward to contributing in a similar role this season.

Braydyn Chizen (Photo by Christopher Mast)

Chizen, along with forward Ryan Bowen have been pegged by the Rockets as 20-year-olds for the upcoming season. A third overage player is expected to be added, but Rockets brass are prepared to be patient out of the gate before making that final commitment. WHL teams are allowed no more than three active 20-year-old players on the roster after October 10.

DUBNetwork spoke with Chizen earlier this week during training camp at Prospera Place.

 

 

Rocket Fuel…Kelowna also graduated high-scoring forward Carsen Twarynski, who led the team with 46 goals. Destined for professional hockey this season, Twarynski has been signed by the Philadelphia Flyers, the team that selected him in the third round, 82nd overall at the 2016 NHL Draft…The Rockets began main camp with 58 players and have gradually reduced those numbers this past week…The Rockets host the Victoria Royals (Friday) and the Prince George Cougars (Saturday) to open the pre-season schedule.