Thursday . . .

Some notes . . .

The Kelowna Rockets had hoped to have C Mike Carman, 19, in camp later this month but that’s not going to happen. Carman, a third-round choice of the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL’s 2006 draft, has decided to stay at the U of Minnesota even though, as the Capital News reports, he isn’t academically eligible until after Christmas. He had 20 points in 41 games with the Gophers last season. . . . At the same time, the Rockets continue to hope that RW Jamie Benn will end up in their camp. Benn, 18, had 42 goals in 53 games with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies last night but continues to ponder whether to go the college route. The Dallas Stars took him in the fifth round of the NHL’s 2007 draft.

The Portland Winter Hawks have named Andy Kemper as their radio voice, taking over from Dean (Scooter) Vrooman who left the club earlier this month. Kemper was the analyst on broadcasts for the last three seasons. Portland games will be heard on Sunny 1550 AM this season.

The Kootenay Ice has hired Kris Knoblauch as its assistant coach under new head coach Mark Holick. Knoblauch, a former WHL player, spent last season on the coaching staff of the Prince Albert Raiders but his contract wasn‘t renewed after Bruno Campese was hired to replace head coach Peter Anholt. Knoblauch, 28, played in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels, Edmonton Ice, Kootenay and the Lethbridge Hurricanes before going on to play four seasons at the U of Alberta. The Ice signed him for two years with an option on a third season. The Ice had talked with Cranbrook resident Jon Klemm, an NHL defenceman who is an unrestricted free agent and hoping to play at least one more season.