Rockies’ Shelton signs with MJHL’s Stampeders

 

Kaelan Shelton of the Columbia Valley Rockies is bringing his hard-nosed playing style to the Swan Valley Stampeders in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for the 2022-23 season.

In his lone season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, Shelton had nine goals and 28 points in 30 regular season games. The former St. Albert Raider had three points in nine Teck Cup playoff games.

“I came to the Rockies looking to use them as a stepping stone to get to the Junior A level. The Rockies organization, led by Head Coach Briar McNaney and president Brett Holt, provided the tools and experiences to get me to that next step,” said Shelton, who praised the Rockies for how they develop people. “Through this past year I have developed in all aspects, not only as a hockey player, but also as a person. The junior experience that the Rockies provided was what I needed to be properly prepared on- and off-the-ice.”

McNaney said that Shelton had a “remarkable season and thrived while playing in every situation that he was given.” 

“He was truly fun to coach and he deserves a lot of praise for the way he battled through adversity many times throughout the year that most players would have packed their bags and gone home,” said McNaney. “He is a mentally strong young man. He had a slow start to the season statistically, but quickly started to play to his potential due to his incredible practice habits.”