The NCDC will be previewing each of the 21 teams set to hit the ice during the 2024-25 season in a continuing series up to the Sept. 19 start of the new campaign.
The Rockets Hockey Club are back on the ice and working their way up to the beginning of their eighth NCDC season with new leadership behind the bench, but with much the same mentality to match the organization’s overall culture and approach to the game.
“We have training camp starting August 26, and although we haven’t picked our team yet, we will have a fast, downhill, 100-mile-per-hour to the net identity,” said first-year NCDC General Manager and Head Coach Matt Morrow, who previously coached the Rockets’ Premier team in 2023-24 (and will remain with that team behind the bench in 2024-25). “I believe the final version of our roster will be fun to watch.”
The Rockets have always put together strong and intense teams, and Morrow believes that the organization’s development through the draft and old-fashioned in-person recruiting with miles in the air and on the road will deliver a powerful product for NCAA scouts to view this year.
“Former GM/Head Coach Jared Kersner, and Jason Kersner before him, did a fantastic job utilizing the NCDC Draft to set a foundation for success that our staff will take advantage of heading into this season,” added Morrow.
“Here at the Rockets, we understand the importance of scouting and recruiting and we feel confident we have assembled a high-quality group of players, including both local New Jersey guys and others from abroad,” Morrow added. “The practice of evaluating players through the camp process is a cornerstone in giving players a fair opportunity while also ensuring our staff can make accurate evaluations. We are appreciative of all players who participate and trust that the Rockets is the best place for their hockey development.”
Along with previously coaching the Rockets Premier team, Morrow’s coaching history goes back nearly 15 years. He was a Director of Analytics and Asst. Director of Hockey Operations for the Penn State Nittany Lions at the NCAA Division I level. He has also held prior head and assistant coaching positions at the ACHA, NAHL and EHL levels, in addition to a prior NCDC stint with the former New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs.
“The Rockets Hockey Club is a pretty amazing place with so many former Rockets players now involved as coaches throughout different levels of the organization. Although this is my first year as GM and Head Coach, I was heavily involved last season with our junior teams,” he said.
“We didn’t need to hire from outside the organization, as Associate Head Coach Rem Vanderbeek, who played at Providence College, will remain in that role,” added Morrow. “We added Alec Marsh from our U14 team as an Assistant Coach. Alec won a Big 10 championship with Penn State. Both guys came up through the Rockets program, they understand the culture and identity, and they both will be key to our success this season.”
An additional key to success is the Rockets’ ability to draw from a deep organization including the USPHL Premier and Elite teams, as well as high-profile Midget teams within the organization.
“I anticipate there will be Premier and U18 players who make our NCDC roster,” added Morrow. “Our NCDC group relishes the responsibility of representing the NCDC league, the Atlantic Division and most importantly the Rockets brand. We are excited to put a product on the ice that brings pride to our alumni, fans, and ownership and is attractive to high level collegiate programs.”
Every advantage and weapon is needed to compete in the Atlantic Division, which was home to three straight Dineen Cup Champions between 2021 and 2023. The Rockets, who played in the 2021 championship final, have certainly been in the conversation in recent years and hope to compete at their highest level towards both on-ice success such as championships, as well as promoting their players on to the highest possible levels.
“We believe the Atlantic Division is the best division in the NCDC. We understand the level we must perform at every night to be competitive,” said Morrow. “Our players choose the Rockets for top level development and competition, both of which the Atlantic provides on a weekly basis. Our NCDC group is excited for the opportunity to grow and compete.”
