The Kelowna Rockets released several players on Friday, re-assigning them from its training camp back to junior or midget teams after completing its Western Hockey League training camp on Thursday. The Rockets are now carrying 27 players and are expected to reduce its roster even further after this weekend's WHL exhibition contests.

PHOTO CREDIT - KelownaRockets.com

Kelowna - August 30, 2013 - The Kelowna Rockets released several players on Friday, re-assigning them from its training camp back to junior or midget teams after completing its Western Hockey League training camp on Thursday.

The Rockets are now carrying 27 players and are expected to reduce its roster even further after this weekend's WHL exhibition contests.

The Rockets are hosting Kamloops tonight at Prospera Place (7 p.m., tickets available at the door) before traveling to Vancouver tomorrow to play the Giants.

Friday night marks the debut of Kelowna's first pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft as Dillon Dube hit the ice for the Rockets in his first ever WHL game. The Cochrane, AB native will be re-assigned on Saturday to Notre Dame, where he will play midget AAA this season.

Also still with the Rockets is rookie Nick Merkley, Kelowna's first pick in the 2012 bantam draft.

After this weekend Kelowna will play two more exhibition contests prior to the start of the WHL regular season. The Rockets play in Kamloops on Sept. 6 before hosting Vancouver on Sept. 7.

Two dollars from each ticket sold at Rockets' exhibition games will go to Cops for Kids.