Played on Jan 16, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The veteran laden Kelowna Rockets prevailed over a young, feisty Calgary Hitmen squad 5-2. The Rockets got up 2-0, only to have the Hitmen score twice in the second, both by Blake Vanek, within 80 seconds of each other to tie it at two. The Rockets, showing patience and persistence, scoring three times in the third for the win. The winner went to Hiroki Gojsik while Carson Wetsch had two, singles going to Owen Folstrom and Parker Alcos into an empty net.
Calder Hamilton (D, L, 5’10”, 157, Calgary Hitmen, 03/08/2009)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hamilton stood out in limited usage (just over eight minutes, well, under his 14 minute season average), showing high-end skating and excellent mobility paired with noticeable energy; on the second power-play unit he skated confidently around the offensive zone, displaying strong puck skills, vision to find open teammates, and the poise to make quality passes. He wasn’t shy to jump into the attack and support offensively—one highlight saw him beat a defenseman one-on-one and deliver a perfect cross-ice feed that led to Calgary’s first goal—and he also showed willingness to engage physically and push back in scrums. Overall, Hamilton projects significant upside as an active, offensively capable, mobile defenseman.
Hunter Aura (D, R, 5’10”, 168, Calgary Hitmen, 10/22/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Aura is a highly mobile, confident skater whose quick feet and very good edgework make him effective both breaking up plays in the neutral zone—often stepping up on attackers to take away time and space—and recovering quickly on retrievals; he consistently pre-scans and swings his head to maintain strong spatial awareness, reads plays well, and shows impressive evasion to escape pressure. He defends smartly with his stick, using this along with body positioning moreso than physicality. These skills combined with very good feet enable reliable defensive zone coverage. In this game, he logged almost 22 minutes and ice time, basically around his season average. Offensively he’s comfortable and proactive, willingly jumping off the blue line into seams to create chances, quarterbacks the second power-play unit, making him a dependable two-way contributor who projects best in a role that leverages mobility, vision, and positional defense despite limited physical play.
Andrei Molgachyov (LW, L, 5’10”, 187, Calgary Hitmen, 03/01/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Molgachev is a stocky, sturdy left-shot center who offers a very reliable 200-foot game and consistently drives play for his team. A compact, very good skater with strong top-end speed, he uses his compete and edges effectively to win puck battles and sustain zone pressure; he competes hard along the boards, goes into traffic willingly And has his head up while doing so, allowing him to make plays, and is persistent on loose pucks. On several occasions, he attempted to cut hard and challenged defenders, trying to get to the middle of the ice. Physical and willing to finish checks, he complements his work ethic with the offensive output to match — posting near a point-per-game pace this season while leading his forward group in ice time in this game (nearly 23 minutes) and serving as a key contributor on the top power play on the flank. His face-off play is a strength for a young center (around a 55% success rate) and his puck-battle success is just under 50%, underscoring a player who impacts all phases and projects as a dependable middle-six pivot with power-play value and room to grow.
Harrison Lodewyk (C, L, 5’11”, 206, Calgary Hitmen, 03/01/2005, RPI)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Lodewyk is a hard-working, well-rounded forward who plays a physical, north-south game and consistently competes every shift. He seems to understand what he brings to the table, good skating and stocky frame, which allows him to muscle to the net both with and without the puck and to battle effectively through traffic, which was on display a lot. Defensively he shows sound habits—frequently stopping on pucks, staying below the play in the defensive zone and contributing reliably on the penalty kill—while offensively he displays very good hands in tight and the ability to make slick plays around the net. In this outing he logged a steady 19:30 of ice time, worked effectively on the second power-play unit and as a PK option, and won 10 of 17 faceoffs, underscoring his value in situational minutes and two-way depth role potential.
Wyatt Pisarczyk (D, L, 5’10”, 177, Calgary Hitmen, 07/20/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Pisarczyk is a quietly dependable defenseman for the Hitmen who plays a steady, heady game on the back end; he pairs strong skating, quickness and evasiveness with good puck skills and playmaking instincts. He consistently shows excellent vision and pre-scan awareness, often spinning free of forecheckers to make the simple outlet or a timely stretch pass, and he displays patience and poise with the puck. Defensively he reads plays well, maintains sound body position, uses an effective stick and will finish checks to the body when appropriate. His quickness/technique on the hit and pin in tight spaces is reflected in his very good battle-success rate approaching 60% for the season. Logging just under 22 minutes in this outing—right around his season average—he also provides value on special teams as a contributor to the second power-play unit and a key member of the top penalty-killing group.
Ty Meunier (LW, L, 5’8″, 159, Calgary Hitmen, 08/16/2008, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Meunier is an undersized but skilled offensive forward who profiles as a puck-moving playmaker; in this game (16+ minutes) he showed very good vision and hands, operating as the bumper on the top power-play unit and executing high-IQ plays – including several effective no-look passes – while displaying quick, elusive skating and decent top-end speed but, he needs to use this and play with pace on a more consistent basis. His effectiveness in physical battles is not great with season-long success rate below 40%, and more willingness to battle harder through traffic and the dirty areas would be a benefit. Improving battle technique, a consistent compete level without the puck, and more frequent work into high-traffic areas will unlock his offensive ceiling.
Ben Macbeath (D, L, 6’2″, 184, Calgary Hitmen, 03/04/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B+
Ben MacBeath is a promising young defenseman with impressive skating ability and size, which enables him to effectively dominate the neutral zone and showcase strong defensive skills. His agility allows him to evade forecheckers and accelerate away from opponents, making him a valuable asset on both the power play and penalty kill. On offense, MacBeath’s good hands and passing ability are complemented by his efficient skating style, which enables him to quickly distribute the puck to teammates. MacBeath continues to refine his game, demonstrating sound decision-making with the puck and displaying elevated confidence in his abilities. His mobility and technical skillset allow him to make effective plays in all situations, including end-of-game scenarios. Overall, MacBeath’s growth and potential make him a high-end prospect with great promise for success at the highest levels.
1 Viewing
Comments: Macbeath is a high-end, multi-dimensional defenseman whose standout asset is elite skating – exceptional edge work, quick feet for his size, and very good top-end speed allowing him to recover in the defensive zone, shut down rushes, and operate effectively in tight spaces where he finishes checks with his body, although he is not an overly physical defenseman. He pairs those mobility traits with very good puck skills and poise; he moves the puck cleanly out of danger, can transport the puck to jump-start attack, and will either lead the rush or serve as an extra layer joining offensively. Several times he also used the give and go game off of his outlet pass. His stick work is strong (effective stick-on-puck technique) and he quarterbacks the top power-play unit while also chipping in on the penalty kill. In this game he logged nearly 24 minutes of ice time but won just ~45% of his battles – well below his season mark of roughly 60% – an area to monitor, though overall his skating and playmaking consistently relieve pressure and drive transition. His upside needless to say is very high but asserting his high end skill set even more would go a long way.
Julien Maze (LW, L, 5’9″, 167, Calgary Hitmen, 12/07/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Julien Maze is a highly skilled player, possessing excellent speed and quick feet that make him difficult to catch off guard. His exceptional edge work allows him to navigate through defenders with ease, making him a threat in the offensive zone. He has impressive instincts, often finding himself open on the ice without possession of the puck and quickly creating scoring opportunities. Maze is also effective in the attacking phase, using his speed to create space and get off the wall.
1 Viewing
Comments: Maze is a dynamic, high-end skater whose quickness, top-end speed and elite edge work make him extremely evasive and shifty with the puck…all making him effective and noticeable. Despite a smaller frame he’s strong on his skates, difficult to knock off the puck in traffic, protects on the walls well while scanning for outlets, and a consistent offensive threat for the Hitmen, earning a spot on the top power-play flank. He pairs quick hands and good vision – able to receive and transition cleanly off defensive zone passes – with a competitive motor in puck battles (around a 45% success rate) and aggressive loose-puck work. Defensively he’s dependable where he backchecks hard, understands switches and can manage the low guy role when required. He logged 22+ minutes in this game, showing he can handle heavy minutes and contribute reliably in all situations.
Tij Iginla (C, L, 6’0″, 191, Kelowna Rockets, 08/01/2006)
Iginla presents a dynamic skill set, blending speed, strength, and agility to excel in various aspects of the game. He demonstrates exceptional puck control, using his edge work and maneuverability to maintain possession through traffic. His vision and passing precision allow him to set up teammates for scoring opportunities. On offense, he possesses a powerful shot release, strong board play, and ability to drive net, creating high-danger chances. A notable strength is his consistent ability to create scoring chances through puck battles and faceoff wins. However, room for improvement lies in refining his defensive skills, particularly in the backcheck and entering the zone, to maintain consistency.
1 Viewing
Comments: Iginla is a powerful, sturdy centre with explosive top-end speed and elite edge work that makes him exceptionally difficult to knock off the puck along the boards; he protects possession as well as any player at this level, absorbs heavy contact through traffic, then quickly spins free and dives into the middle to unleash a heavy, accurate shot at any moment. He plays a hard, two-way game-logged roughly 19 minutes in this outing-and is a key contributor on both the top power play where he is dangerous as a shooter off the flank, and the penalty kill. His puck-retrieval ability and reliable defensive reads round out a solid overall game. The main caveat is occasional puck ownership to a fault: at times he holds the puck too long, missing timely distribution and creating turnovers that put him in precarious situations. Overall, a high-impact player whose physicality, shot and puck protection translate immediately to the pro level, with decision-timing the primary area for refinement.
Dawson Gerwing (LW, L, 6’4″, 232, Kelowna Rockets, 07/12/2006)
Game Rating
B
Gerwing is a physically imposing forward who excels at grinding along the boards and creating possession opportunities through his relentless work ethic. He consistently delivers a hard-nosed performance, using his size and strength to wear down opponents and create space for himself and his teammates. While he may not be the most skilled player in terms of puck handling or speed, Gerwing’s effective positioning and persistence allow him to navigate the ice efficiently and capitalize on scoring chances. Gerwing is also a capable forechecker who consistently demonstrates his commitment to playing a strong two-way game. His ability to recognize pivotal moments and make plays with the puck are notable assets to his team. Despite some room for improvement in his skating mechanics, Gerwing’s physical presence and determination make him a valuable asset in a bottom-six role.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gerwing is a physical left-wing who clearly understands his role for the Rockets, logging 15 minutes in this game and serving as a net-front presence on the second power-play unit. He gets around the ice with average top-end speed and while his skating mechanics need refinement, he moves well enough to contribute both on the forecheck and is aware defensively. Puck skills are adequate—he can handle and make the necessary plays—but his value is highest on the forecheck and by finishing checks; he consistently pressures opposing defence, thrives in scrums and stands up for teammates. With improved edges and a cleaner stride he could become a more effective force at even strength and on the penalty kill.
Owen Folstrom (C, R, 5’11”, 184, Kelowna Rockets, 03/21/2008)
Game Rating
B
Owen Folstrom is a dynamic, two-way forward who consistently displays a strong skill set on the ice. With a high-energy approach, he engages opponents with physicality and pressures defensemen relentlessly. His puck protection skills allow him to drive through traffic effectively, making him a reliable forechecker. On offense, Folstrom utilizes his speed and north-south instincts to challenge defensemen and create scoring chances. Folstrom’s well-rounded skill set allows him to excel in various situations, including penalty killing and hard minutes. He demonstrates excellent skating and edge work, enabling him to withstand physical play and distribute the puck effectively. His heavy wrister is a promising aspect of his game, but he could utilize it more often.
1 Viewing
Comments: Folstrom is a hard-nosed, versatile right-shot centre who skates very well and attacks the game in straight lines, consistently using his speed and strength to drive to the net and win puck battles—he logged 14+ minutes in this game and won over 55% of his battles (a figure that has risen over the last four contests). He brings physical finish all over the ice, is willing to push back in scrums, and is effective at both ends of the rink; his reliability earned him minutes on the second power play and on the penalty kill, and he has shown the ability to play up and down the lineup. Offensively he offers a strong wrist shot—notably on one shift he dove from a high slot position and buried a wrister past the goalie—and his relentless, consistent approach makes him a persistent thorn for opposing teams.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images