Rockies’ Cochlan to play in American league

By Emanuel Sequeira

Director of Communications

KIJHL 

Former Columbia Valley Rockies’ player Kade Cochlan will play for the University of Delaware in the American Collegiate Hockey Association this fall.

Cochran played 119 career regular season and 20 Teck Cup playoff games in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with the Golden Rockets and Columbia Valley Rockies, collecting 71 regular season points and adding seven in the playoffs. Last season he had 27 points in 40 games, including seven in 12 games with the Rockies after being traded at the deadline.

Cochlan improved his puck control/possession as well as his decision-making.

“The players I was playing with on the Rockets and Rockies were a big help,” says Cochlan. “My time with the Rockies improved my game a lot as coach Taylor (Sincennes) was great and always pushed you to make sure you were the best version of yourself on and off the ice. The players I was on the ice with elevated my game. I learned to make decisions faster and had more patience to not force plays.”

Upon reflection, Sincennes said Cochlan was an exceptional member of not only the Rockies but an upstanding community member during his time with the squad. 

“From the time he stepped into our locker room, he was a leader to our young group and did a very good job integrating into a new situation late in his junior career. He immediately became someone for the younger guys to lean on and learn from. He showed a very high work ethic and was very energetic and brought passion into our program that was needed.”

Rockets head coach/general manager Jed Houseman mirrored those sentiments: 

“Cochlan is a great player with an amazing work ethic and plays the game the right way. He’s physical, tenacious, is a leader, and an all-around team guy. The University of Delaware got a good one in Kade.”

Cochlan can’t wait to get started in Delaware, saying the collegiate association is a great league that is improving every year. But he won’t forget what he learned in the KIJHL, which improved his game and development.