Kelowna Rockets hand out the annual hardware

KELOWNA – Rourke Chartier took the big win at the Kelowna Rockets’ awards banquet Sunday afternoon, March 22, grabbing the MVP trophy for his outstanding season.

Chartier, 18, had 48 goals and 82 points in 58 games.

“It’s a huge honour and I owe a lot to my teammates,” Chartier told Rockets’ TV at the Kelowna Community Centre. “I’m sure there are other guys in the room who are deserving of the award as well.”

“I’m just excited for the playoffs,” the forward said.

The Rockets will face the Tri-City Americans in the first round of the WHL playoffs. Games one and two will go Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at Prospera Place. The Rockets finished the regular season in first place in the Western Conference.

Forward Cole Linaker was named the team’s top defensive forward, rookie Devante Stephens won the both the Top Rookie and Most Improved awards, forward Tyson Baillie was named the team’s humanitarian of the year and captain Madison Bowey won the Top Defenceman award.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.