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WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Recognized by NHL Central Scouting Bureau

January 21, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


The NHL Central Scouting Bureau today released its mid-season rankings with six Kelowna Rockets on their lists.

Lassi Thomson is the top-ranked Rocket in 14th spot while Nolan Foote and Kaedan Korczak are rank 26th and 31st, respectively, among North American skaters. Kyle Topping is ranked 195th, and Alex Swetlikoff is listed 217th.

Goaltender Roman Basran is ranked 11th among North American netminders.

Defender, Lassi Thomson is third in Western Hockey League rookie scoring with 29 points (10G, 19A). The Rockets selected the smooth skating Finn 53rd overall in the first round of the 2018 CHL Import Draft this past June. Thomson was invited to Finland's World Junior selection camp last month.

Sniper Nolan Foote leads the Rockets in goals with a career-best 22. The 6'3, 188 pound forward has 42 points and 26 penalty minutes this season. He suited up for Team WHL at the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series in October.

Steady defender Kaedan Korczak has 19 points (3G, 16A) in 45 games played. He helped Team Canada win gold at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton this past summer.

Kyle Topping is Kelowna's leading scorer with 47 points (17G, 30A). The Salt Spring Island product was drafted by the Rockets during the 11th round at the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

Kelowna product, Alex Swetlikoff joined the Rockets following the Christmas break. The 6'2, 179 pound forward recently suited up for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in Bonnyville, Alberta where he helped his team take home bronze.

Roman Basran battled back after a torn ACL in his knee derailed his rookie season last January, it required surgery and six months of rehab. His record is 13-13-1-0 this season.

Thomson, Foote and Korczak will compete in the 2019 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this Wednesday in Red Deer Alberta.

The mid-season rankings feature the top 217 skaters and 31 goaltenders in North America as well as the top 130 skaters and 12 goaltenders internationally.

In its 44th year of operation, NHL Central Scouting provides evaluation and scouting of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. Headed by Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting employs seven full-time and 14 part-time scouts throughout North America.

Combined, NHL Central Scouting and European Scouting Services will see more than 3,000 games this season.

The 2019 NHL Draft will be held June 21-22 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2019


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