WATCH: Rockets GM proud of local involvement in Battle of Alberta

• Which former Rockets have made it to the big Alberta battle?
• Does Rockets GM have a prediction?

Kelowna Rockets General Manager and President Bruce Hamilton is excited that five of his former players will be in one of the most hyped NHL playoff series, The Battle of Alberta.

He spoke highly of his former players who donned the Rockets jersey, including Calgary Flames forward Mikael Backlund who played with the team in the 2008-2009 season.

“Backlund is certainly becoming everything I thought he would be. I thought he’d be a little bit more offensive than he has been, but he’s arguably been Darryl Sutter’s most dependable forward so far through the playoffs,” he said.

Another familiar name for Rockets fans is Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie, a former captain in Kelowna who was with the team from 2007-2011.

“Barrie’s an extremely talented, skilled defenseman. I used to enjoy watching him a lot because if we were ever down, you knew that he’d do everything he could to get the score back to where it needed to be,” Hamilton said. “I’m excited to watch him play with that power-play there. He’s a special player.”

It will be the first time in 31 years, the Oilers and the Flames are set to meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Other former Rockets include Oilers defensemen Duncan Keith (2002-2003), and forward Leon Draisaitl (2014-2015).

Dillon Dube (2013-2018), and former Rockets Head Coach Ryan Huska will represent Calgary.

Both teams are coming off round one victories that went the distance: The Flames got past Dallas and the Oilers eliminated the Los Angeles Kings.

Hamilton, whose seen all these players come through the organization over the years, said there will be lots to cheer about for both sets of fans.

“It’s certainly going to be exciting for Alberta in particular but I think it’s great we got these two Canadian teams in it,” he said. “Certainly, it helps get more excitement about the game in particular. But with our players there, I couldn’t be happier for them and more proud of them.”

Hamilton wouldn’t tip his hand to who he thinks will win.

“I hope it’s a long series. It isn’t going to matter to me. As long as we got guys playing in the Stanley Cup Final that would be the best thing,” he said.

The Battle of Alberta will begin on Wednesday night in Calgary.