Rockets Visit Wenatchee Friday & Host Vancouver Saturday
WHL Kelowna Rockets

Rockets Visit Wenatchee Friday & Host Vancouver Saturday

Published on February 12, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Kelowna Rockets right wing Carson Wetsch
Kelowna Rockets right wing Carson Wetsch
(Kelowna Rockets)

The Kelowna Rockets are heading south to take on the Wenatchee Wild tomorrow night. That matchup is scheduled for Friday, February 13, at 7:00 PM PST and will be available for free on Victory+ and 104.7 The Lizard. The Rockets then return home Saturday night to face B.C. Division rival Vancouver Giants. Puck drop is set for 6:05 PM PST, with tickets still available at selectyourtickets.com

KELOWNA ROCKETS

Kelowna enters the weekend following an 8-4 victory over the Wenatchee Wild on Wednesday night. Fueled by Shane Smith's return to the lineup and a big performance from Carson Wetsch, the Rockets took control in the second period to secure two important points in the Western Conference standings. Kelowna will look to carry that momentum into Friday as they face the Wild for the second straight game.

The Rockets' strong top-six forward group continues to drive the offence. Tij Iginla (27G, 26A) has recorded points in 13 of his last 14 games and currently owns the highest points-per-game rate in the WHL. Shane Smith (27G, 30A) leads the team in scoring and marked his return from injury with a four-point night Wednesday. Ty Halaburda (24G, 28A), who is projected to celebrate his 300th WHL game Saturday against his former team, and Carson Wetsch (17G, 38A) have provided consistent production all season. Czech forward Tomas Poletin (19G, 12A) has been a key contributor but will miss the weekend with an upper-body injury. Vojtech Cihar (2G, 9A) has also made an impact since arriving in early January.

On the back end, Mazden Leslie (11G, 34A) leads all Rockets defensemen in scoring and ranks 11th among WHL blueliners in points. Parker Alcos (5G, 17A), who was acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings, has added stability and chipped in offensively with eight points in 15 games as a Rocket. Keith McInnis (7G, 21A) returned Wednesday after missing time due to illness, while Nate Corbet (2G, 4A) and Rowan Guest (0G, 18A) bring a physical edge and help set the defensive tone.

In goal, Harrison Boettiger (3.09 GAA, .903 SV%) remains a steady presence. His 18 wins lead Rockets netminders, and his recent play continues to strengthen his case as one of the top goaltenders eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Josh Banini (3.59 GAA, .890 SV%) could also see action this weekend after returning from an eye injury last weekend against Prince George.

Special teams will be an area of focus for Kelowna. The Rockets went 0-for-2 on the power play Wednesday and are converting at a 22.73% rate on the season, placing them in the middle of the league. Their penalty kill has been strong at 78.4%, ranking among the WHL's better units. Staying disciplined and leaning on their strong five-on-five play will be key to taking care of business this weekend.

WHERE THEY RANK

Kelowna Rockets: 4th in the Western Conference (27-17-5-2)

Wenatchee Wild: 11th in the Western Conference (19-28-3-2)

Vancouver Giants: 12th in the Western Conference (19-30-1-2)

WENATCHEE WILD

Wenatchee enters the weekend following an 8-4 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday night. The Wild have struggled of late, winning just two of their last ten games. Currently sitting second-last in the Western Conference, Wenatchee is aiming to spark a late-season push and build momentum heading into next year.

The Wild are one of the youngest teams in the league, carrying 16 rookies on their roster. They also feature two former Kelowna Rockets in Levi Benson (9G, 14A) and Gabriel Guilbault (2G, 3A), both of whom began the season in Kelowna before being acquired at the midseason deadline. Benson made an impact in his return to Prospera Place on Wednesday, scoring against his former club.

Up front, Wenatchee is led by Luke Scherbyna (19G, 13A), Mason Kraft (9G, 21A), and Aiden Grossklaus (11G, 13A). That trio, along with Benson, accounts for much of the Wild's offensive production. Despite improvements from their young forwards, Wenatchee ranks second-last in the WHL in goals scored. Still, their youthful attack continues to develop and can be dangerous when generating momentum.

On the backend, rookie defenseman Josh Toll (3G, 35A) has put together an impressive first WHL campaign and leads the team in points. Fellow rookie Boston Tait (3G, 14A), along with veterans Brandon Osborne (1G, 9A) and Guilbault, round out a young defensive core that likes to play with pace and move the puck.

In goal, the Wild rely on rookie netminders Tobias Tvrznik (3.04 GAA, .914 SV%) and Cal Conway (3.78 GAA, .897 SV%). Tvrznik has had a strong debut season, ranking second among WHL rookie goaltenders in save percentage. He will look to bounce back after allowing eight goals against Kelowna on Wednesday.

Special teams have been a mixed bag for Wenatchee. The Wild own the third-worst power play in the league at 17.04%, but counter that with the WHL's top-ranked penalty kill at 83.41%. Special teams could prove pivotal in this weekend's matchup.

VANCOUVER GIANTS

The Vancouver Giants have endured a tough season and currently sit last in the Western Conference. Offensively, they've struggled to generate production, ranking sixth-fewest in goals scored, while also surrendering the fourth-most goals in the WHL. The Giants are still searching for their first win against Kelowna this season, with their most recent meeting ending in a 9-2 Rockets victory on January 31.

Up front, Vancouver is led by projected 2026 first-round NHL Draft prospect Mathis Preston (15G, 20A). However, Preston has not played since January 10 after suffering a lower-body injury. Veteran forwards Misha Volotovskii (14G, 15A) and Jakob Orestkovic (10G, 19A) have helped shoulder the offensive load, along with 2026 draft-eligible Brett Olson (10G, 17A) and Joe Iginla (12G, 12A), the younger brother of Tij Iginla.

On the back end, the Giants are anchored by projected top-15 2026 NHL Draft pick Ryan Lin (12G, 38A). Lin suffered a broken wrist on January 11 and is expected to remain out of the lineup. Former Rocket Will Sharpe (4G, 18A) returns to Prospera Place, while Mark Howell (4G, 6A) and Ethan Mittelsteadt (2G, 8A) round out the defensive core.

In goal, 2025 New York Islanders draft pick Burke Hood (3.91 GAA, .891 SV%) has handled the bulk of the starts. He was sharp in his last appearance, stopping 25 of 26 shots in a win.

Special teams have been a challenge for Vancouver. The Giants' power play sits at 21.4%, toward the lower end of the league, while their penalty kill ranks fourth-worst at 71.05%.

The Giants last played Saturday, February 7, falling 5-0 to the Kamloops Blazers.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Head-to-Head Season Series

Kelowna vs. Wenatchee - Kelowna Leads 1-0

Game 1: Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 (vs Wenatchee) - Kelowna won 8-4

Kelowna vs. Vancouver - Kelowna leads 3-0

Game 1: Saturday, November 1st, 2025 (at Vancouver) - Kelowna won 5-2

Game 2: Saturday December 27th, 2025 (vs Vancouver) - Kelowna won 6-4

Game 3: Saturday January 31st, 2026 (at Vancouver) - Kelowna won 9-2

Last 10 games

Kelowna: 6-3-1-0

Wenatchee: 2-5-2-1

Vancouver: 1-8-0-1

Special teams

Kelowna: PP 22.73% | PK 78.4%

Wenatchee: PP 17.04% | PK 83.41.%

Vancouver: PP 21.39% | PK 71.05

BACK FROM INJURY: Veteran forward Shane Smith returned to the lineup Wednesday against Wenatchee. He picked up right where he left off with three goals and an assist to help boost the Rockets to a 8-4 win.

POWER RANKINGS:

Kelowna currently sits eighth in the week twenty power rankings

Wenatchee currently sits outside the top sixteen in the twenty power rankings

Vancouver currently sits outside the top sixteen in the twenty power rankings

2026 NHL DRAFT:

Kelowna currently has two Rockets on the Midterm Rankings of the NHL Central Scouting list as Players to watch ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. Goaltenders Harrison Boettiger and Frantisek Poletin were originally ranked as "B"-level prospects in the preliminary rankings, which list them as potential second or third-round picks. This time around, Boettinger was listed as the seventh-best North American goaltender, while Poletin is listed as the fifth-best International goaltender.

OLYMPIC INVITE:

Rockets Alumnus and 2015 WHL Champion Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers will be representing Team Germany for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Draisaitl played for the Rockets from 2014-2015.

Rockets Alumnus and 2015 WHL Champion Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets will be representing Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Morrissey played for the Rockets from 2014-2015.

Rockets Alumnus Calvin Thurkauf of HC Lugano of the National League will be representing Team Switzerland for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Thurkauf played for the Rockets from 2015-2017.

HOME AND AWAY COMPARISON:

The Rockets are 27-17-5-2, including a 10-7-4-2 record at the Prospera Place. On the road this year, the Rockets have a 17-10-1-0 record.

The Wild are 19-28-3-2, including a 14-11-2-1 record at home. On the road this year, the Cougars have a 5-17-1-1 record.

The Giants are 19-30-1-2, including a 13-13-1 record at home. On the road this year the Giants have a 6-17-0-2 record.

WHL REGULAR SEASON MILESTONES:

#17 Ty Halaburda - 2 games away from 300

#18 Dawson Gerwing - 4 games away from 150

ROCKETS INJURY REPORT:

#7 Peyton Kettles - UBI (Indefinitely)

#10 Tomas Poletin - UBI (Week-to-Week)

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

The Rockets remain at home Monday afternoon to take on the Tri-City Americans. Puck drop is set for 2:05 PM PST, with tickets available at selectyourtickets.com. Kelowna then heads to Kamloops on Friday for a 7:00 PM PST matchup. That game will be available free on Victory+ and 104.7 The Lizard.

Check out the Kelowna Rockets Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Images from this story

Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla fires a shot against the Wenatchee Wild
Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla fires a shot against the Wenatchee Wild
 Kelowna Rockets right wing Carson Wetsch
Kelowna Rockets right wing Carson Wetsch
  



Western Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2026


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central