Monarchs

02/21/2013

The Brocket Rocket

Colton Yellow Horn is only five games into his American Hockey League career but the Manchester Monarchs left wing has made an immediate impact. He began his Monarchs career with a four-game point streak (1-4=5) and has been trusted to be on the ice in key moments in hockey games.

Yellow Horn has gained popularity in Monarchs Country with his play on the ice but also with his unique name. He has been called "electrifying" by Monarchs legendary play-by-play broadcaster Ken Cail who has never missed a Monarchs game. Manchester may try and come up with a nick name for the Brocket, Alberta native but he already has a fitting nickname; the Brocket Rocket.

"The nickname 'Brocket Rocket' started as a joke in the dressing room in juniors," said a chuckling Yellow Horn. "Once the radio spokesperson caught wind of it, he started saying it on the radio and has stuck ever since."

Before signing with the Monarchs this season, Yellow Horn was leading the ECHL with 58 points (36 goals and 22 assists) in 48 games for the Ontario Reign. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound forward has spent parts of three seasons in the ECHL playing with the Stockton Thunder, Elmira Jackals and Reign but the adjustment to the AHL has been seamless.

"Yeah it's a little bit faster, a little bit quicker," reflected Yellow Horn on transitioning to the AHL. "Things happen just a tad bit quicker; it's a little more crisp and there are not as many mistakes. I think that's the main thing. If you make a mistake up here, it's going to end up in the back of your own net."

Yellow Horn's linemates have also gotten on a role recently. Right wing Brandon Kozun has scored five goals in his last four games since being paired with center Jordan Weal and Yellow Horn. Weal also has seen success with five assists in his last four games.

"Colton is a smart and intelligent player; he protects the puck very well for a player his size," said Monarchs Head Coach Mark Morris. "His line with Weal and Kozun has provided us with secondary offense; something we have been struggling to find this season. Colton's confidence out there is evident. He sees the ice incredibly well and has the vision to find the back of the net."

The left wing has settled in nicely in Manchester and has looked like a player that has been here all season. Yellow Horn admits having a few players he already knew helped him settle in right away.

"Once you go to a new team, it's good to already know a couple of guys and it really helps with the transition," said Yellow Horn of knowing defensemen Vincent LoVerde and Chris Huxley and goaltender Jean-Francois Berube while they played in Ontario earlier this season. "It also helps having somebody to talk to and ask about certain questions. At the same time, I played against a lot of these younger guys in juniors as well so it's been an easy transition. We all kind of know each other from playing each other before."

Fueled and ready to go, the Brocket Rocket looks to help keep things going for the Monarchs in their chase for the playoffs.