Josh Gorges has fond memories of growing up in Kelowna and spending many winter days playing at the Memorial Arena. Gorges former team, the Kelowna Rockets, now play in Prospera Place, a multipurpose arena with slightly less than 7,000 seats. It is here that Gorges along with teammates Travis Moen and Carey Price have been preparing for the upcoming season.
The Kelowna Minor Hockey Association took the opportunity last week to honour Gorges on their Wall of Fame.
“This is great. I grew up in this city and I was lucky enough to be part of Kelowna Minor Hockey which provided me with everything I needed to be where I am today. The path I took was a bit of an unconventional one but I had good people looking after me from the time I was five years old until I was 19 with the Rockets,” said Gorges of the recognition.
Here’s an excerpt of the story from Castanet.net. (Hat tip to JT Utah)
Josh Gorges honoured by KMHA
by Wayne Moore
Sep 3, 2010
Kelowna Minor Hockey has added a second name to its Wall of Fame.
KMHA grad, former Kelowna Rocket captain and current Montreal Canadiens defenceman, Josh Gorges was given the honour Thursday.
Gorges, who began playing minor hockey in Kelowna in 1989, joins Kyle Beach on the Wall of Fame.
He played through the minor hockey system until 2000 when he cracked the Kelowna Rockets line-up as a 17-year-old undrafted rookie.
He captained the Rockets to the only Memorial Cup title in 2004.
Gorges says one of his fondest memories was a tournament he took part in as a peewee rookie.
“Going to Quebec was the first big tournament I ever played in where you are kind of in a spotlight. Not every gets to go, you had to win your way in,” says Gorges.
“It brings back everything. When I was told they were going to be doing this I think about all the times when you’re five, six years old and chasing pucks around and trying to score as many goals as you can,” says Gorges.
Gorges says the honour was very humbling and very flattering.
Continue reading at Castanet.net
(Photo: Wayne Moore)