The Golden Rockets Junior Hockey Club is a proud member of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. The KIJHL is comprised of 18 teams that are broken up into two conferences, and three divisions. In the Kootenay Conference there will be the Neil Murdoch Division and the Eddie Mountain Division. The Okanagan Division will compete in the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference. With re-alignment the Golden Rockets find themselves competing in the Eddie Mountain Division along with the Columbia Valley Rockies, Fernie Ghostriders, Creston Valley Thundercats, and the Kimberley Dynamiters.

In early September the KIJHL embarks upon a grueling 50 game schedule, which commences in the middle of February. One of the unique distinguishing factors that sets the KIJHL apart from every other Junior B league in Canada is that every team DOES NOT receive an automatic birth in the play-offs. The benefit of this format is the added importance that is placed on each game during the regular season. This also helps develop the mental state of mind that players require to play at the “next level”.

The KIJHL prides itself on being one of the best hockey developmental leagues in the country. The Rockets organization recognizes this, but does not limit our program to just developing hockey skills. It is our goal that every player that spends any amount of time in the organization develops not only their hockey skills but also their life skills. We feel we offer a platform for our players to thrive in, that is second to none in the country, that can be broken down into four categories; Education, On-ice Training, Off-ice Training, and Community involvement.

Education

•All players still working towards a High School Diploma will attend Golden Secondary High School. The attendance and grades of each player will be monitored closely by the Coach and the Education Co-coordinator of the Golden Rockets.


•Golden Secondary High School is located less than a two minute walk away from the arena. This enables our players/students to balance hockey and education with ease.

•Golden Secondary High School also offers a Hockey Academy Program that gives students an opportunity to take this class to gain credit towards graduating along with earning a little extra ice time.

•Players that have already earned their High School Diploma have the option to upgrade or take College level courses at the College of the Rockies campus.

•The College of the Rockies campus is also located less than a two minute walk away from the arena.


On-Ice Training

•The Golden Rockets practice 3-4 times weekly. Practice times are currently being scheduled for the upcoming season, but it does appear that they will be in the afternoon.


•As mentioned above the Rockets play a 50 game regular season schedule. Most games are played on week-ends with occasional week-day games.


•When combining Exhibition and Regular Season games the Golden Rockets play upwards to 60 games annually.


•The Rockets travel to all games on the team owned 48 passenger bus.


•On all road trips the Rockets organization covers the cost of lodging and meals.


•The Rockets supply players with Gloves, Pants, Helmets, Tape, Jersey’s, Socks, and Medical Supplies. These supplies are property of the Golden Junior Hockey Society and will remain with the team at the end of the season.


Off-Ice Training

•The Golden Rockets benefit from the use of Body Quest Health and Fitness Center. A world class training facility that includes free weights, machines, stationary bikes, treadmills, squash courts, aerobic room, sauna, and tanning beds.


•The Rockets have a player driven work-out regiment that requires working out 4 times weekly.