Rockets sign towering blue liner drafted by club in 2021

The Kelowna Rockets have now signed a player in back-to-back days and the two new recruits have a lot in common.

Both are 18 years old, both served as captains of their CSSHL teams last season and both are expected to compete for a roster spot this fall.

On Tuesday it was Connor Pankratz, and today it was towering blue liner Rowan Guest who signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Kelowna.

Here's what we know, the 6'4", 201-pound defender isn't afraid to block a shot, has a cannon of a slapper and loves to jump up into the rush. pic.twitter.com/52QGqRq74V

— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) April 24, 2024

Guest didn’t hide his excitement after putting pen to paper with the WHL club.

“I’m pumped to be a Rocket, ever since I went to Kelowna my first training camp I’ve been waiting for the day to sign,” he said.

“Watching the Blades growing up in Saskatoon, it’s always been the dream of mine to play in the Western Hockey League.”

Standing at 6’4” and coming in at a tad over 200 pounds, the left-shot defender scored 11 goals and recorded 34 total points in 27 games for the PAcific Coast Hockey Academy U18 Prep team this past season.

That point total was good enough for fourth among defencemen in the CSSHL and it earned him a nod as a U18 Prep BC Division 1st Team All-Star.

“Rowan is a big mobile defender,” noted Curtis Hamilton, Kelowna’s assistant GM. “He can play in all three zones, he can run the power play, play the penalty kill and has a mean streak to him too.”

Guest was originally an 11th-round selection, 237th overall, of the Rockets in the 2021 WHL draft.

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of the CSSHL/Kelowna Rockets.}