It’s been a whirlwind season, to say the least for Kelowna Rockets forward Scott Cousins.
The 16-year-old from Prince George and former Cariboo Cougar has four points in ten games this season inside the WHL’s BC Division Hub.
Cousins suffered some early adversity, testing positive for COVID-19 prior to the season and then having to wait another three weeks to play as the team suffered its own rash of cases.
“I didn’t have any symptoms actually. We had our test day and my results came back positive and my trainer let me know – it was a tough feeling for sure because I was ready to get going and it was a few weeks prolonged.”
“Me and my billet brother were actually lucky to still be able to skate during that time because we had no connection to the team and were not considered a close contact and we were lucky enough to skate actually.”
What a journey for @cousins91 ! pic.twitter.com/HZ3j9X60sx
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) April 28, 2021
Team activities for the Rockets were suspended for a period of two weeks in late March as a total of seven people from the organization (staff and players) tested positive for COVID-19.
Cousins mentioned it was a lonely existence when dealing with the team-related quarantine.
“It was definitely a hopeless feeling. We had just gotten back into games and then for us to be hit with the virus was tough. It made for a long day and we were just kind of hoping to get going again.”
“I was still in lockdown when I received the news our team was diagnosed.”
Once play resumed, he picked up an assist in his first-ever WHL game during an 8-5 win against the Cougars.
“It wasn’t a pretty point by any means. I passed it off to Trevor Wong in the neutral zone and he kind of took it from there. It was kind of cool that I didn’t have to wait on my first point too long.”
Cousins then potted his first goal on April 27th against the Victoria Royals.
“Turner McMillan created a good forecheck, which forced a loose puck in the slot area, and I just kind of turned around and fired it past one of their defencemen and it barely crossed the line.”
Undrafted ➡️ listed by Kelowna ➡️ @BCHockey_Source U16 Player of the Year ➡️ Signed ➡️ first @TheWHL goal
@cousins91 pic.twitter.com/w9UD6yElrh
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) April 28, 2021
Kelowna is 8-4-0-1 inside the hub.
Cousins believes they have a good mix of talent, which is leading to success on the ice.
“It’s been awesome, it’s been a great rookie year and the guys have been welcoming. This has allowed me to have a good chunk of success.”
The Rockets hit the ice tonight against the Cougars at 6pm from Sandman Centre in Kamloops.
Kelowna’s shortened season wraps up Monday and Wednesday with a pair of home games against Kamloops (10th) and Victoria (12th).
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