Played on Jan 2, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: In a true goaltender’s battle, the visiting Kamloops Blazers prevailed over the Kelowna Rockets 3-2, in a shootout. Logan Edmonstone got the win making 38 saves, while Josh Banini made 41 stops, many of the very difficult variety, for the loss. Josh Evaschesen scored the shootout winner for the Blazers while Nathan Behm had a goal and assist. Hayden Paupanekis and Hiroki Gojsic scored for the Rockets.
JP Hurlbert (C, R, 6’0″, 187, Kamloops Blazers, 04/01/2008, Michigan)
Game Rating
A-
Hurlbert’s skills are showcased through his high hockey IQ and puck control, allowing him to drive the attack and draw defenders into the neutral zone. His skating is average in terms of speed, but his edge work and maneuverability provide an advantage in tight spaces. He excels at occupying hard areas in front of the net and battles for loose pucks, demonstrating a strong willingness to finish on the body. When on the power play, Hurlbert’s ability to navigate traffic makes him a reliable late man on breakouts. His confidence and finishing ability are evident, particularly with his quick releases and ability to create space. While he may not be the most explosive player, his instincts and competitive urge make him a threat in both the offense and defense. Hurlbert’s versatility and ability to find plays in tight spaces make him a valuable asset on both power play and penalty kill units. His edge to his game gives him an advantage in these situations, projecting him as a top-end contributor with strong two-way skills.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hurlbert is a complete, high-IQ forward whose game is defined by elite offensive instincts and excellent puck skills; a good skater and dual threat as both shooter and playmaker, he moves the puck quickly to dangerous linemates then finds open ice to finish plays, often sneaking behind defensemen to capitalize on stretch passes. He thrives on the top power-play unit as the late man on the breakout—where his ability to navigate traffic and make smart reads stands out—and showing reliable defensive zone awareness, although he needs to stop and start more. In the offensive zone, he is not stationary, he moves around, looking for open space with or without the puck. Competitively strong, he battles through traffic, pursues pucks hard when out of possession, will finish checks and push back in scrums, and delivers a consistently solid all-around game; he was leaned on heavily in this contest, logging a team-high workload at 25 minutes.
Isa Guram (D, L, 6’0″, 173, Kamloops Blazers, 05/10/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Guram brings a solid, all-around skill set to the Blazers’ defense, consistently performing well in various situations. He excels as a mobile skater who maintains a high tempo and effectively handles pressure with the puck. In tight spaces, Guram showcases poise, making intelligent passes that relieve stress on his team’s offense. While he does not rely heavily on physicality in the defensive zone, he contributes to supporting play and is trusted in key situations. Guram’s two-way value was evident during this game, as he demonstrated awareness on the ice by jumping into open space and finishing a top-shelf goal in overtime. His leadership role was also highlighted when he led the defensemen in ice time with 21+ minutes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Guram, a 6-foot left-shot defenseman for the Blazers who routinely logs heavy minutes and anchors the backend with a calm, high-IQ game; mobile, skates well with good top-end speed, he combines excellent puck skills and steady playmaking and puck moving to efficiently move his team out of danger, often with precise little outlet passes and timely zone exits. He shows strong recognition when to join or even lead the rush, complementing his offensive instincts with sound defensive reads – staying tight on opposing wingers in the offensive zone, using effective hitting and pinning technique in his own end – and his reliability is reflected in a 24+ minute workload, regular duty on the top penalty kill and a role on the second power play.
Rhett Ravndahl (D, R, 6’2″, 181, Kamloops Blazers, 02/15/2005)
Game Rating
B
Ravndahl’s skill set revolves around his solid defensive capabilities and effective use of his skating ability. He maintains composure under pressure, making him a reliable puck mover in critical situations. His poise with the puck allows him to effectively manage both defensive responsibilities and puck retrievals. While Ravndahl consistently puts in effort and makes solid contributions, he does exhibit limitations in his offensive game. His puck battle success is inconsistent, which may hinder his ability to create dynamic plays. Overall, Ravndahl is a defense-first player who can anchor a unit, but may need to develop his skills to reach his full potential.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ravndahl is a dependable 6’1′, right-shot defensive defenseman who regularly logs top-four minutes-over 21 on this night-for the Blazers; he’s a good skater with solid mobility, though not elite, and moves the puck cleanly, making a reliable first pass out of danger. He plays a physical, no-nonsense game-finishing checks in the defensive zone and using his mobility to stay engaged, on top of the opposition forwards through the neutral and offensive zones-providing steady, tough minutes. A trusted penalty killer on the top unit, he reads play well, makes smart decisions under pressure, and also displays an understanding of offensive-zone rotations. Overall, he’s a high-impact, minutes-eating defender whose game is built on consistency, positioning and reliable puck management.
Cooper Moore (C, R, 5’6″, 141, Kamloops Blazers, 04/06/2006, Augustana)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Moore is an undersized (5’6′) but highly effective two-way forward who impacts the game over 200 feet for the Blazers; quick off the mark with excellent top-end speed and strong puck-handling, he reliably serves as the late man on the second power-play breakout—able to navigate through traffic and carry possession through the blue line to give his unit time to set up—and is a regular on the top penalty-killing unit as well, logging 21+ minutes a night. His puck-battle win rate sits just under 50% and his faceoff success is roughly 45%, an area for improvement. His work ethic, situational awareness and consistent contributions in all phases make him a dependable, high-energy piece in the lineup.
Tommy Lafreniere (C, R, 6’0″, 177, Kamloops Blazers, 01/16/2007, Western Michigan)
Game Rating
A-
Tommy Lafreniere is a hard-working forward with a well-rounded skill set that makes him a consistent impact player on both offense and defense. He excels as a skater, with good top-end speed and excellent edgework, allowing him to navigate through tight spaces and create plays off his vision and puck skills. His high hockey IQ enables him to make quick decisions and locate his teammates effectively, making him a significant threat in the offensive end. While Lafreniere has many impressive qualities, he also needs to work on some areas of his game, including defensive-zone awareness and decision-making under pressure. He struggles at times to make effective reads and be assertive on the puck, leading to turnovers. However, his overall skill set, intelligence, and work ethic position him as a valuable asset.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lafraniere is a very good skater with good top end speed and is a high-end offensive talent with standout puck skills, strong vision and the ability to make hard, flat passes; he consistently finds open space in the offensive zone and shows a knack for locating open teammates, particularly on the power play where his quick body adjustments on passes allow him to get away hard one-timers make him a real scoring threat. He competes hard over 200 feet — he led his team in ice time in the overtime contest (26+ minutes) and wins a a reasonable 45% of puck battles this season — but he can be inconsistent in the defensive zone, at times showing poor awareness and reads on the backcheck and getting on the wrong side of pile ups. With refinement of his defensive decision making and positioning, his offensive upside and work ethic project him as a top-end contributor.
Ty Bonkowski (RW, R, 5’10”, 169, Kamloops Blazers, 07/09/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Bonkowski is a well-rounded two-way forward with a strong skill set that compensates for his relatively small stature. He excels at hard work, skating, and quickness in tight areas, making smart plays with the puck and setting up scoring chances through his efforts rather than relying on high-end finishing ability. As a right wing, he displays good puck skills and decent top-end speed, using these attributes to disrupt plays on the forecheck and finish physically when opportunities arise. Defensively, Bonkowski is reliable, reading plays well and making smart decisions without the puck. He also shows an ability to carry the puck through traffic and navigate through tight areas, which will unlock his offensive ceiling as he gains confidence in carrying the puck. Overall, Bonkowski projects as a dependable two-way forward with upside as a penalty-killing, energy-line contributor.
1 Viewing
Comments: Bonkowski is a compact, competitive forward (about 5’10’) who brings a fearless edge and a sturdy, efficient stride that allows him to play confidently with and without the puck; he consistently finds soft ice, shows good straight-line speed, is evasive and shifty in tight areas, and reads plays well enough to be effective in transition. He gets in hard on the forecheck, and will finish on the body. He also shows reliable awareness on the back check and defensive zone coverage reads. He’s a reliable all-around contributor for the Blazers—playing 18+ minutes in this game—and is trusted in key situations (five-on-five, the top penalty-kill unit and the second power-play unit), where his reasonable 45% success rate on battles this season helps him win puck possession and sustain pressure.
Nathan Behm (C, R, 6’2″, 202, Kamloops Blazers, 04/18/2007, Arizona State)
Game Rating
A-
Behm’s skill set is impressive, combining size and agility to make him a presence on the ice. He has strong hands and an excellent shot release, demonstrating scoring potential. His high-end hockey IQ and vision are notable, as he consistently makes smart plays and finds open teammates with precision passing. However, Behm tends to be somewhat stationary at times, opting for a slower pace that limits his ability to leverage his speed and attack through the neutral zone. To unlock his full potential, he needs to return to his more aggressive high-tempo game on a consistent basis. Behm’s dual threat abilities are evident in his patience with the puck, allowing him to create plays for teammates or unleash his excellent shot. However, there is room for improvement in his puck battles, where he has struggled at times.
1 Viewing
Comments: Behm is an elite offensive talent with high-end skating — a smooth stride and top-end speed — and outstanding puck skills that allow him to navigate traffic and sustain possession as the late man on power-play breakouts. He’s a true dual threat on the man advantage, capable of creating plays through stickhandling and vision or of releasing a quick, hard shot; in this game he showcased that versatility on a two-on-one, patiently holding the puck, forcing the defender to commit and slide through, then pulling to his backhand for a beautiful finish. He played this game with pace, while also showing a good work ethic and is competent on the defensive zone coverage. Comfortable with heavy minutes (third among forwards at 24+ minutes) and a key contributor on the top power-play unit, Behm projects as a primary offensive driver who impacts the game both as a playmaker and a scorer.
Joshua Banini (G, L, 6’1″, 194, Kelowna Rockets, 04/10/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Banini delivered an outstanding performance in goal, making 41 saves, keeping his team in the game with several very difficult stops, despite a shootout loss; he displayed excellent mobility and quick, controlled movement that allowed him to recover for second- and third-chance stops. He was positionally sound throughout, showing strong reflexes with both the catcher and blocker on slot shots and the flexibility to make post-to-post saves with an outstretched leg. Notable moments included a sequence in the second period where he shut down a two-on-one with two consecutive bang-bang stops from the top of the crease and covered the puck. Also a key breakaway stop on sniper Hurlbert that immediately led to a goal for his team at the other end—evidence of his ability to change momentum. Overall, Banini projects as a technically reliable, athletic netminder who performs well under pressure and can steal games with high-end saves.
Keith McInnis (D, L, 6’1″, 197, Kelowna Rockets, 01/08/2006, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Rating
B+
McInnis showcases a solid skill set on defense, balancing mobility, agility, and physicality to excel in various situations. He effectively maintains defensive responsibility while being willing to contribute offensively, often jumping into breakaways and delivering accurate passes to teammates. His puck-handling skills are particularly noteworthy, allowing him to facilitate quick transitions and support the offense from the backend. McInnis’s versatility and hockey IQ make him a valuable asset on both power play and penalty kill units. He consistently makes smart decisions under pressure and plays with a high level of competitiveness. While not necessarily flashy in his individual performance, McInnis’s well-rounded skill set and determination to succeed make him a reliable contributor at the university level.
1 Viewing
Comments: McInnis is a high-end, very effective 200 foot defenseman for the Rockets who immediately stepped into a top four minutes-logging 20+ minutes in his first game with the Rockets and contributing on the penalty kill. He’s an excellent skater with top-tier mobility and a physical edge that makes him difficult to beat in transition and on the attack; defensively he’s quick to read plays staying tight on top of opponents, taking away space in the offensive zone and in the neutral zone, taking away would be attacks early. Offensively he combines very good hands, excellent vision and consistent decision-making to deliver timely outlet passes or carry the puck himself on breakouts, and he’s efficient walking the blue line, creating lanes for him to unleash a heavy, quick wrister. Overall, he projects as a very dependable two-way defenseman who impacts the game at both ends.
Mazden Leslie (D, R, 6’0″, 189, Kelowna Rockets, 04/15/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Leslie is a highly mobile right defenseman with exceptional skating ability, enabling him to effectively jump into rushes or attack as a third/fourth layer. He consistently demonstrates strong puck-moving instincts and plays a significant role on both the power play and penalty kill. Leslie’s physicality has increased, allowing him to deliver consistent impact in game situations, but he must work on avoiding untimely penalties.
1 Viewing
Comments: Leslie, the Rockets’ captain, is a dependable, high-minute defenseman who consistently logs 27+ minutes per game (this game and season average) and anchors both ends of the ice; he competes hard, plays physical, and is difficult to play against in front of his net while winning roughly 60% of his puck battles. He moves the puck with authority but can also evade pressure and carry the puck out of trouble, making smart transitional reads and contributing reliably in his own zone. Offensively he is active and adaptable-able to lead the attack or provide a secondary layer-and serves as the primary quarterback on the top power-play while being first over the boards on the penalty kill. In short, Leslie is a reliable, minute-munching, two-way leader who brings steady physicality, puck-skills, and special-teams value.
Carson Wetsch (RW, R, 6’1″, 201, Kelowna Rockets, 05/04/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Carson Wetsch is a dependable winger who consistently delivers hard work and physical minutes. He excels as a skater with strong top-end speed, making him a threat in transition and on the attack. Wetsch’s deceptive moves and quickness allow defensemen to struggle, and he competes hard in all areas of the ice. Wetsch’s vision and playmaking are notable assets, showcased by his cross-ice pass that led to a goal in this game. He also creates chaos from behind the net line and is effective in tight, physical battles. While finishing opportunities continue to be an issue, Wetsch’s compete level is evident, and he offers a multifaceted threat on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wetsch is a high-energy forward with a very good overall skill level, who competes hard every shift and consistently impacts play both with and without the puck. He pairs strong skating and puck-handling ability with smart decision-making-capable of driving the attack or complementing teammates-often using his speed to beat defensemen wide before cutting hard to the net, where even a half-step creates serious problems for defenders. He finishes physically on the forecheck, reliably wins battles for space in front of the net and pushes back, while also backchecking diligently and showing dependable defensive zone coverage. In this game he logged nearly 26 minutes, about five minutes above his season average; despite his visible relentlessness, his season battle success rate sits just under 50%.
Owen Folstrom (C, R, 5’11”, 184, Kelowna Rockets, 03/21/2008)
Game Rating
B
Folstrom is a hard-working forward with excellent skating skills, allowing him to navigate physical play with ease. He excels as both a center and winger, providing dependable minutes for the Rockets. Folstrom’s puck skills enable him to create scoring chances by attacking the slot, and his top-end speed makes him a threat through the neutral zone. His ability to finish checks and drive to the net also makes him a formidable opponent. As a two-way pivot, Folstrom demonstrates solid puck skills, good positioning, and defensive awareness. While he struggles with faceoff consistency and battling for pucks, his skating foundation and physical frame provide a strong base. He is a reliable situational player who contributes on both the power play and penalty kill.
1 Viewing
Comments: Folstrom is a high-energy, depth forward who made the most of his 121/2 minutes with the Rockets by being noticeable through his relentless compete level and sound skill set, stand out every shift. While not large, he plays with willing physicality, routinely engaging opponents and driving through traffic with strong puck protection. He brings consistent pressure on the forecheck and reliable, physical defensive-zone coverage, making him an effective penalty killer. Offensively he’s aggressive, using good straight-line speed and north-south instincts to challenge defensemen and attack the net, creating high-danger chances despite limited ice time. He also possesses a heavy wrister, that he should use more. Overall, a motor-driven two-way player who influences the game in all three zones.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images