The Kelowna Rockets would like to announce there are approximately 2,000 tickets still available for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna to be held Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Kelowna Rockets season ticket holders secured many of the ticket packages however not all of them have sold. That means there are good seats available to the general public for the game.

Close to 300 NHL scouts and general managers are confirmed to be in attendance and a national television audience will be watching as the game will be broadcast coast to coast on Rogers Sportsnet. The Rockets are hoping their loyal fan base will fill Prospera Place and once again show the country that Kelowna is one of the great major junior hockey cities.

“I don’t think people really understand how special this game is,” said Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton. “I believe it will be a great game. The opportunity to host this event was something we wanted to do for our fans and the city of Kelowna to help gain national recognition for our city and our surrounding area. I hope they rally around us and fill the building.”

Hamilton, along with WHL commissioner Rob Robison and honorary coaches Pat Quinn and Mark Recchi took part in a conference call on Tuesday. Robison says Kelowna was chosen to host the game because of its past success with national events.

“Kelowna has been one of the top franchises in the CHL historically, hosting the Memorial Cup and the World Junior Tournament so it was an easy decision,” said Robison. “This is a very popular event for teams in the CHL.”

The arrival of the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game marks just the second time the event has been held in B.C. and one of the first times it is being held in a non-NHL market.

“We’re extremely excited to have the opportunity to host the game,” said Hamilton. ““This isn’t an all-star game. In the past there has been some nastiness to it. These players will be motivated to play hard against each other.”

 Tickets for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game are available through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office or by calling 250-762-5050.