1992 Tacoma Rockets Hockey "Rockets Roar" Newsletter

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ER TERN LEAGUE

E1, NUMBER3

OFFICIAL PUBUCATION OF THE TACOMA ROCKETS HOCKEY CLUB

TACOMA, WASHINGTON

ROCKETS MOST SUCCESSFUL WHL EXPANSION TEAM!

Tacoma Chalks Up All-Time Records With Gate Magic

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATI0:'11-The Tacoma Rockets were a smashing success in their first year of operation at the gate and they had great moments on the ice as well, such as scoring four victories over Seattle. Here, Jamie Black (foreground) celebrates his goal against T-Bird netminder Chris Osgood while Allan Egeland and Jeff Whittle show their approval. Craig Chapman (26) and Darren McAusland move in too late for Seattle.

TICKET PRICES REMAIN SAME

Games Start Earlier; Benefits Galore for Season Subscribers

Benefits galore are in store for Tacoma Rockets season ticket holders during the 1992-93 Western Hockey League season.

The club has announced a series of perks for season ticket subscribers ranging from VIP cards to packaged road game excursions.

In addition, the Rockets are making it easier for all fans to attend weekday games by starting games one-half hour earlier. The opening face-off for games Monday through Saturday will now be 7:05 p.m. instead of 7:35 p.m. Sunday games will now start at 5:05 p.m. instead of 6:05 p.m.

The benefits of purchasing season tickets are many. Subscribers will receive a VIP card good for specials at Red Robin Restaurants and a 15% discount on all Rockets' merchandise. The card also guarantees admission to special events such as holiday parties and social functions attended by Rocket players.

In addition, the club plans to organize excur­ sions for season ticket holders to Rocket road

games. The weekend trips would take fans to cities like Victoria and Portland.

Also, season subscribers will receive the club newsletter and will again win prizes at each home game if they are sitting in the lucky "Hot Seats".

Meanwhile, the Rockets are holding the line on ticket prices, going against the inflationary trend throughout the sports world. Season ticket prices remain the same: pegged at $299.00 and $255.00 for the 36-home game regular schedule plus any home pre-season exhibitions. Single-game ticket prices will also stay the same at $9.50, $8.00 and $6.50.

Last season's ticket holders can retain the same seats or may change their seats at the time of renewal, depending on seat availability. New and renewing season ticket purchasers will have first option on the same seats for playoff games. All ticket buyers are requested to make a $75.00 deposit on each seat ordered, with the balance to be paid by August 15th.

As they commence preparations for their sec­ ond season of operation in the Western Hockey League, the Tacoma Rockets arc building on their first-year laurels as the most successful expansion franchise in the 25-year history of the circuit.

At the gate, the Rockets smashed virtually every record in existence in the WHL for an expansion club, topping it off with the biggest single-game crowd in league history of 15,240, set on January 25, 1992 against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Tacoma rolled to the highest total attendance and highest per-game attendance average ever recorded for a first-year expansion club in the WHL and its umbrella organization, the Canadian Hockey League, which embraces two other Tier I circuits in Ontario and Quebec.

In all, the Rockets chalked up five all-time WHL and CHLrecords and added another all-time WHL mark with their magic at the gate. On the ice, Tacoma etched two more records into the book with the most points (53) and most wins (24) WHL marks for the first year of operation by expansion clubs still in the league.

Of the club's eight records, Rockets' president and general manager Bruce Hamilton is most pleased with the total attendance mark ofl 72,315 and the per-game average of 4,787, both new WHL and CHL standards for an expansion club in its first year.

"We are very, very happy with the number of people who came out to see us play," said Hamilton.

"In a new venture like this, you always set a high figure, and we came in above all our expectations.

We wanted at least 4,300 per game and got close to 4,800.

"This was a win-win situation for us and the City of Tacoma. The Tacoma Dome realized upwards of three quarters of a million dollars in revenue from parking and concessions."

Hamilton feels the season is an excellent base to build upon for the future. "Our team is now estab­ lished, our product is known, so we'll have a big edge on last year."

• Rockets' Records Listed, Page 4.

Billets Offer Warm Welcome to Rockets

"It was one of the most positive experiences of our lives."

That was how Harvey Arnott summed up his feelings and those of his wife Patricia about being a billeting family for the Rockets.

"These players simply become a part of the family," says Arnott. "The only real downside comes when they leave. It's tough to see them go after the season is over."

Arnott's comments were echoed by all those involved in billeting Rocket players this past season. The genuine warmth extended by these families is reciprocated by the players and lasting friendships are the result.

"These young men become like sons to you,"

continues Arnott. "To be a successful billet, you have to open your house and your hearts. This is not a bed and breakfast situation. Making these players really feel at home is the key."

There can be little doubt that Tacoma's billet­ ing families all felt this way.

"It was really a wonderful experience for us," says Judy Keller, who along with husband Jim volunteered to take Drew Schoneck and Scott Thomas into their homes. "We would do it again in an instant," adds Judy. "Our lives changed, but it was great, like having an extended family.

"We held a family meeting before deciding to do this, and our daughter Jennifer (12) and son James (11) were as eager as Jim and I were."

There was a natural tie-in at the Keller household, because young James has been playing hockey since he was four years old.

Like the Arnotts, who housed Michal Sykora and Dave McMillen, the Kellers are deeply in­ volved in the Tacoma Amateur Hockey Associa­ tion. Jim Keller served as TAHA vice-president this past season.

But you don't have to have a hockey back­ ground to enjoy the experience of billeting.

"We're just fans," says Larry Davis, who along with wife Edna provided a home for Mike Piersol and Corey Stock, "and we've always loved hockey.

It seemed like a natural thing to do. You don't have to take two players. In fact, most of the billeting families take one. We just thought it would work out and they could help each other."

Davis points out that the demeanorofthe players is a major plus. "These are polite, well-mannered young men. It's just a pleasure to have them around."

Davis admits that he and his wife "knew noth­ ing about billeting", but were among the first to call the club and find out. "We didn't realize there was compensation involved, or anything. It was a learning process for everybody."

Since most of the players attend school and always have team practices, their schedules arc busy ones. "It seems the season just starts and all of a sudden it's over," says Larry Davis. "It's sad at the end when they have to leave," adds Edna. "But overall, billeting really is an enjoyable experience."

Rockets Land Top Bantam Prospects

HAPPY DAYS IN TACOMA-Playing amidst the bright lights of Tacoma is a happy experience for Rocket players.Named as the three stars in a game against Spokane, JeffWhittle, John Varga and Shane Maitland (left to right) laugh It up while waiting to skate out. Whittle said "This is the closest team I've ever been on. There are no cliques or small groups. Everyone supported everyone else."

Rocket Players Find a Home At Clover Park High School

The Rockets have found a home at Clover Park High School in Tacoma.

"Our school is the easiest of all for newcomers to join," says Principal Jim Ellingson. "It is common for us to be taking in new students all the time, partly because we are so close to the military bases here. New­ comers are wel­ come and they never feel that they are on the outside looking in."

That is one of the many appealing things about Clover Park. A majority of the Rockets attended the popular JIM ELLINGSON 1,000-student school this past season and found that they were welcomed warmly by everyone on campus.

"Our students really enjoyed having the Rock­ ets here," adds Ellingson. "They have 'adopted'

the team and have turned into some of the biggest hockey fans around, going to the games in groups to cheer on the Rockets."

Ellingson said the players "made an excellent addition to our school. They did well academically and we were able to offer them so much to choose from in the way of subjects." All Rockets passed their grades this year.

Clover Park, which houses grades 10 through 12, offers a broad-based curriculum with every­ thing from special education to college-grade classes where students can earn college-level credits. English, science, chemistry, biology and calculus are some of the higher grade subjects offered. There are strong business education and technical education (industrial arts) courses available.

"We have something for virtually everybody," says Ellingson. "With the Rockets, we've been able to work hand-in-hand with the hockey club to schedule classes around practices and so on.

"The players have been right at home here, and we're proud to have them."

Although it will be at least two years before they will see action in the Western Hockey League,the Tacoma Rockets are delighted with the five young players they selected in the 1992 bantam draft.

Rockets' assistant general manager Lome Frey, who doubles as the team's director of scouting, called the draft "one of the most productive I've ever been involved in."

1be Rockets selected three forwards and twodefensemen in the first five rounds of the draft held by the lSWHLclubs.

Frey is very enthusiastic about the selection of center/left winger Jason Deleurme, whom he labels "the best forward prospect in western Canada." Deleurme just turned 15 years old, the other four playe.rs..are L4 < WHLrcgulations allow a playertoenterthe league when he turns 16. Deleunne, in his "16th year" in 1992-93, would be allowed to play five games with the Rockets next season, since his binhday is Janual)' 22. He could play full-time staning with the 1993-94 campaign.

Defenseman Kyle McLaren was the Rockets' first draft pick. His size, 6'3" and 190 pounds, was a factor. "He's a big guy, a good skater, and handles the puck well," says Frey.

"We felt we had to start going for some size on defense."

The other blueliner, DougStrobl,checks in at5'1 l" and also has the size to compete in the WHL. Forwards DavidSandrelli and Alistar Vaughan, both highly-rated and noted for their hard, aggressive work ethic, complete the list of draftees.

Frey said that the Rockets were in a better situation at this year's draft. "Last year we picked up some good players, too, but we re aUy didn't have much time to prepare, something like five weeks. This year, we were well prepared and it paid off."

Tacoma's top picks in the 1991 draft, defenseman Adam Smith and Jeff Greig and forwards Robbie Gordon and :viany Fiche!, have all enjoyed good seasons this year.

Smith played in the British Columbia Junior League (Tier II) with the Kelowna Spartans, will be 16 next season and could make the jump to the WHL.

Club Honors Top Players

BIG PLUS FOR ROCKETS- Defenseman Drew Schoneck receives the Transamerica llfe Plus/Minus Award from Robert Fenno, Brokerage Manager for Ingersoll and Associates, representing Transamerica.

Schoneck recei\'ed two awards for leading the Rockets in plus/minus during the season, then capped that oil with the final Transamerica Award by leading the club for the entire season with a plus-three.

Award Winners ROCKET CLUB AWARDS

Most Valuable Player--Jeff Whittle Best Defenseman--Laurie Billeck Best Rookie--Tuomas Gronman Hardest Working Player--Trcvcr Fraser Plus/Minus Leader (Transamerica Life Award)--Drew Schoneck

WHL NOMINEES

The Rockets nominees for WI-IL awards were: Molson Player of the Year--Jeff Whittle Scholastic Player of the Year--Mike Piersol Rookie of the Year--Jeff Whittle Most Sportsmanlike Player--Jamie Black Defenseman of the Year--Laurie Billeck Goaltender of the Year--Kelly Thiessen

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AUGUST 10-14, 1992 SPRINKER CENTRE Instructors Include Rocket Coaches, Officials & Players FOR INFORMATION 2

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Vol. 1, No. 3

Spring 1992

Editor - Ron McGrath Articles written by Ron McGrath Photos by Mike Sage Printing by L & L Printing, Inc. of Tacoma, WA Published periodically by the Tacoma Rockets Hockey Club 222 E. 26th Street, Suite 104 Tacoma, WA 98421

Whittle, accepting congratulations and a garment traYel bag from Rocket general manager and president Bruce Hamilton, was nominated by the club as its choice for Molson Player of the Year in the WHL in addition to being named Tacoma's Most Valuable Player.

Gronman, one of two European defensemen on the club along with Michal Sykora, was outstanding all season. He took time out to play for his native Finland in the World Junior Toumament and still played 61 games for Tacoma.

Labeled by Rockets' coach Marcel Comeau as a player "who gives you the best he has every single night", left winger Fraser said he was "totally surprised at the award" as the club's hardest working player. "I felt everyone on the club worked hard," he added. "I think it could have gone to anyone."

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Rockets Aid Children's Hospital

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THE ROCKETS ROAR

DOUBLE HO�OR FOR WHITTLE--Jeff

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,-T;;o-;;���;s-, I SUMMER HOCKEY SCHOOL I :

Three rookies and one veteran were named by the Rockets as winners of the club's first annual player awards.

Twenty-year old rookie Jeff Whittle, playing his first and last season in the Western Hockey League, was named winner of the Rockets' Most Valuable Player award. He led the club with 87 points on 42 goals and 45 assists and was also honored as leading scorer.

Veteran Laurie Billeck, who played his fourth and final WHL campaign, was named the club's Best Defenseman. After tluee seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders, Billeck proved to be a steadying influence with an expansion Tacoma team that fin­ ished the season with nine rookies in the lineup.

Two of those rookies walked off with the other club awards. Finland's Tuomas Gronman won the Best Rookie award and Trever Fraser was selected as the Hardest Working Player.

Right winger Whittle, who missed only six of the Rockets' 72 games, was surprised with his MVP win.

"It could have gone to a number of others," said Whittle. "It was probably very close. Some others deserved it, too. But I'm very pleased. 1l1e season turned out a lot better than I thought it would."

Billeck, drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the third round of the 1990 NHL entry draft (50th overall), is expected to sign with that organization. He was a stalwart on defense for the Rockets, providing very physical play at the blueline and also contributing to the offense. He was the club's highest-scoring defenseman with 43 points on 14 goals and 29 assists. Eleven of his 14 goals were scored on the power play.

To be one of the Rockets' top defensemen "was one of the goals I set at the start of the season," said Billeck. "It was a great year. I've never been with a closer bunch of guys. I felt like they were all my brothers. It made a super team atmosphere."

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March /�199

,,'i/i'k'ot M� BridJJ_e_Children 's Hof!>itaJ '3,975. hr.e.e flwusand_NtnLHundred S1vent,y Five oaLu L

MEMo_G__oaJfor Kids ROCKET GOALS HELP KIDS - By scoring 160 goals at home in their first season, the Tacoma Rockets generated $4,000 in funds to aid the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma. The James River Corpora­ tion, a paper products company that prodnces No11hern Tissues and Brawny Towels among other items, donated $25 for each home goal scored. Sho11ly after the check was presented at the last home game, the Rockets scored again to bring it up to an even $4,000. Left to right: Mark Dennis, Rockets' Dil-ector ofMarketing; Laura Edman, Executi\'e Di1·ector of the '.\-1ai·y Blidge Foundation; Rocket captain Scott Thomas and DarrellMason, James River District �fanager.

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Rocket Aces Set to Return

The Rockets are excited about prospects for next season.

"Look at the players we have coming back," en­ thuses general manager Bruce Hamilton.

"There's a solid nucleus from this year's club to build upon."

JOHN VARGA Among the team leaders from the initial campaign eligible to re­ turn are such players as Allan Egeland, Jamie Black, John Varga, Van Burgess, Michal Sykora, Trever Fraser and Tuomas Gronman.

"With our own recruits coming up through the ranks and joining the club, we'll have another hard-working, never-say-die team," says Hamilton.

Some of the Rockets' top stars were heavily scouted this past season, and although several arc expected to be snapped up in the National Hockey League draft in late June at Montreal, they will likely remain with the Rockets because of their age.

Typical among this group are Varga and Gronman, both tabbed by many to go early in the draft. Varga, the swift-skating winger from the Chicago area, and Gronman, the steady defenseman from Finland, are both 18 and are coming off their rookie years.

Egeland, a center who was taken from Lethbridge in the expansion draft, evolved into a

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high scorer with the Rockets. Now in his 19th year, the native of Enchant, Alberta, had a big season, scoring 35 goals and 39 assists for 74 points-placing second on the club scoring list. be "We'll counting on him heavily next seaALLAN EGELAND son," says Rocket coach Marcel Comeau about Egeland.

Varga, who came to the Rockets along with defenseman Mike Piersol from the Chicago Young Americans, was a favorite with NHL scouts. He placed fourth in club scoring with 59 points on 25 goals and 34 assists and was one of only three players ( along with Egeland and winger Dave McMil!en) to play in all 72 games.

Gronman proved to be a capable blucliner, surprising the op­ position with his physical style of play. He drew ad­ ditional attention from the scouts when he played in the World Junior Tournament for his native Finland and acquitted TUOMAS GRONMAN himself well.

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Following are records set by the Tacoma Rockets in their first season: HIGHEST TOTAL ATTENDANCE (Expansion Team, First Year): 172,315 (36 games). All-lime WHL and CHL record for an expansion club in the first year of operation.

HIGHEST PER-GAME ATTENDANCE AVERAGE (Expan• sion Team, First Year): 4,787 (per-game average for 36 home games). All-time WHL and CHL record for an expa1• sion club in the first year of operation.

HIGHEST SINGLE-GAME ATTENDANCE 15,240 (set January 25, 1992). All-time WHL single-game attendance record, Breaks mark set by Tacoma of 14,975 (October 11, 1991) inRockets' first home game. Both marks vs. Seattle.

HIGHEST SEASON SERIES ATTENDANCE (One Oppo• nent, Five Games): 56,101. All-time WHL and CHL record for a season series of five home games against a single oppo• nent. Set against Seattle.

HIGHEST SE ASON SERIES ATTENDANCE AVERAGE (One Opponent, Five Games): 11,220. All time WHL and CHL record for a season series of five home games against a single opponent (Seattle).

HIGHEST SEASON SERIES ATTENDANCE (Two Teams): 106,083. (1 Ogames, Tacoma vs.Seattle).All•t meWHL a1d CHL record for regular season series between any two teams. Average per game: 10,608. Breaks mark of 78,641 (average of 6,553) for 12-game series between Portlandand Kamloops in 1986-87 season.

HIGHEST NUMBER OF POINTS (Expansion Teams Sall Operating, First Year): 53. WHL record for total points in the first year of operation among expansion teams still in the league. Breaks previous mark of 45 set by Med .cine Hat Tigers in 1970-71.

HIGHEST NUMBER OF WINS (Expansion Teams Still Operating, First Year): 24. WHL record for wins in first year of operation among expansion teams still in the league.

Breaks previous mark of 22 set by Medicine Hat Tigers in 1970-71.

• Rockets Most Successful WHL Expansion Club, Page 1.

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 71 TACOMA, WA

TACOMA ROCKETS HOCKEY CLUB 222 EAST 26TH ST., STE 104 TACOMA, WA 98421

Rockets Thank Club Sponsors

The Rockets would like to recognize and thank all our corporate sponsors who helped make our first season such an outstanding one.

ONE CHILD'S THANKS·· Eight-year-old Kim Ackein ofJefferson Elementary School writes a thank you note to the Rockets for their participation in the Building Libraries Together program. The Rockets are one of several busi­ nesses supplying library books to local elementary schools in the highly-successful campaign to improve reading skills and awareness, Kim is a second-grader at Jefferson.

Puget Sound Bank KISWRadio Miller Genuine Draft WaifsRadiator and Muffler Budget Rent A Car Tacoma Dodge Parker Paint

Hygrade Meats Nalley's Fine Foods US West Cellular James Rrver Corporation Mary Bridge Hospital i Kat e Downs Tavern HD.Baker

La Quinta Inns PepsVDiet Pepsi Cascade Trailways The Camera Shop RedRobinRestaurants The Duffie Bag Dexter/Hysol Co. Tacoma Ortho Surgeons

Stock Market Foods O'Callaghans Restaurant TCI Cablevision Harley-Davidson Little Caesar's Pizza Lumbermen's Centers Godfather's Pizza Cante1Wood Countiy aub