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Homecoming for Cousins as Rockets take on Cougars

Nov 12, 2021 | 6:17 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – When the Kelowna Rockets face off against the Prince George Cougars Friday night, it will mark his first game playing inside his hometown arena at the Major Junior level.

“We’ve always said just three things to Scott,” said Cheryl Cousins, the mother of Kelowna Rockets forward Scott Cousins. “Listen to your coach, work hard, and have fun.”

You could argue those three things are what led the Prince George product to sign with the Western Hockey League club back in March after going undrafted in the WHL Draft and exploding on the scene at the U16 level as a member of the Cariboo Cougars.

During the 2019-20 season, Cousins claimed BC Hockey U16 Player of the Year honours after scoring 28 goals and 29 assists in the 28 games he played that season. That’s what led him to then being put on the Rockets protection list and later signing ahead of the BC Division Hub season.

During that shortened season, Cousins scored a goal and three assists in 13 games.

Playing in three games this season, he’s yet to tally a point. But Kelowna also faced some early struggles as a whole. They opened the season 2-3 before flipping the script and have since won four of their last five.

Speaking on the opportunity to finally return home and play in front of his family and friends, the 17-year-old admitted he’s both excited and nervous.

“(I’ve) been looking forward to this road trip for quite a while. Been visualizing a little bit and just and hopefully getting one tonight,” said Cousins.

“I think even just having fans back in the building plays a factor because that’s something we didn’t have at all last year. I think that and being home, there’s going be some butterflies in the stomach come pregame, but that’s nothing I’ve never had before so we’ll battle it out.”

While his parents, Cheryl and Bill, admit it would be pretty exciting to see their son score his first goal of the season, his dad says as long as he plays his game and listens to the coaching staff, the rest will take care of itself.

Tonight is the second of 12 meetings between the Cougars and Rockets. They last met on November 6 in Kelowna, with the Rockets winning 4-1.