Looking fresh faced and raring to go, returning veterans and Rockets hopefuls took to the ice last week for the Rockets training camp.

The Rockets head into exhibition games this week, playing Columbia Valley three times (September 1, 4 and 8).

Coach Rocky Zinger spoke candidly about this upcoming season, saying that though camp was smaller than usuasal, he has high hopes for the months ahead.

With the return of a core group of veterans, Zinger hopes to build on the success of last year.

Returning to the Rockets are Keith Wake, Stephen Jensen, Spencer Pommels, Travis Herlien, Rylee Orr, Kyle Cummings, Spenser Wong and Cody Cringan. There is the prospect of a few more of last year’s vets joining the Rockets, but Zinger says fans will just have to wait it out a little longer to see what September holds.

“These [core] players will lead the way in Golden and the opportunity to add more to the team will present itself over the coming months. I’m not worried. I’ve got two solid lines of vets so I think we’ve got the guys we need to be competitive.”

Zinger said that the local turnout was good for camp this year, but numbers were smaller than in years past. Golden fans will have to wait until after exhibition games are over to see if the guys have been able to prove that they can be assets to the team.

“It will be interesting to see what happens,” says Zinger, adding, “I’ve learned that with the start of the season, you just have to learn to be patient.”

In net, Zinger says he has high hopes for 20-year old goaltender Spenser Wong.

“We expect that he will battle for the best this year and the advantage for him is, the more he plays, the better he’ll be.”

Zinger says he feels confident in his proven top line of Orr, Pommels and Herlien.

Defensively, Zinger said there are a few holes to fill, with the loss of some of last year’s defensemen, but he is confident in what the Rockets have now and he will continue to build as the year progresses.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is this hockey team. I am confident it will happen and I think we’ll be very competitive this year.”

Catch the Golden Rockets home opener on September 12, when the guys take on the Kimberley Dynamiters. Game time 7:30 p.m.