Played on Nov 8, 2025
Game Played in Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Harrison Boettiger (G, L, 6’2″, 189, Kelowna Rockets, 12/11/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Daniel’s greatest strength is his top-end speed and quickness. On forechecks, he uses his quick feet to apply pressure to opposing defensemen. He understands the game well and positions himself accordingly. In this game, Daniel really had a nose for the puck. He consistently put himself in the right spot and was rewarded in the second period when he banged home a rebound. With good size and a strong knees-over-toes skating stride, Daniel fits well in his third-line left-wing role. A bit more physicality would go a long way for the first-year Czech adapting to the North American style of game.
Mazden Leslie (D, R, 6’1″, 201, Kelowna Rockets, 04/15/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: In his final junior season, Mazden is showing great confidence as an offensive defenseman. Aside from an unnecessary roughing penalty, he played a consistent game for Kelowna. When Mazden gets his feet moving, he’s at his most dangerous, especially when joining the rush or transitioning through the neutral zone. Tonight, he took extra care in the defensive zone, being first on puck retrievals and leading breakouts with good first passes. On one play, Mazden raced back for a loose puck, threw a shoulder fake, and exploded out of the corner in the opposite direction. After dishing the puck to his winger, he continued up the ice, helping create an eventual three-on-two rush. It was good to see this offensive defenseman focus on his defensive details while still finishing the game +1 with an assist.
Peyton Kettles (D, R, 6’6″, 197, Kelowna Rockets, 09/01/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: For his size, Peyton is an impressive defenseman. At 6’6′ and almost 200 lbs, he has incredible skating and puck control. Most defensemen his size are less refined and still a bit raw overall. His skating is elite. Laterally, he shuts down opponents with his gap and poke check. On pivots, he is incredibly smooth and efficient, timing his gaps well. With the puck, Peyton has complete control. He makes great first passes on breakouts and at times likes to slow the play down in the neutral zone. On two occasions, Peyton read Victoria’s breakout plays and stepped up through the neutral zone to pick off cross-ice passes, leading zone entries and created quality opportunities for his team. The newly acquired defenseman is making a positive impact for Kelowna.
Tomas Poletin (RW, L, 6’1″, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 04/30/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Tomas is a workhorse of a power forward who competes all over the ice. He loves to work out of the corners or in tight areas, thanks to his great puck protection skills. With his size, he likes to leverage his body against opponents to create time and space for himself. This allows him to scan the ice and make simple, smart plays. On the power play, Tomas doesn’t look to force plays; instead, he sets up the unit and works within the zone. This creates more opportunities and steady zone entries when space is tight. A notable play came with four minutes remaining when he sacrificed his body for a huge blocked shot, showing he can play both sides of the puck and be a factor for his team.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 181, Kelowna Rockets, 06/24/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Kalder’s greatest attribute is his skating speed. Pair that with silky hands, an offensive mind, and great confidence, and you have a dynamic player like Kalder. His first step is explosive, and his top-end speed creates separation. Kalder wants the puck and looks to make small-area passing plays with his linemates. His hands are dangerous and can fool defenders with a toe drag or by working inside their triangle. Kalder always skates with his head up, evaluating his best options. His goal tonight came on a simple tip at the net front — an easy play compared to others he created earlier, but nonetheless a well-deserved tally for the 2008 right winger.
Hiroki Gojsic (RW, R, 6’3″, 202, Kelowna Rockets, 05/01/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Hiroki is a strong power forward who uses his size well. He doesn’t play a flashy game but makes the simple, correct play that leads to great opportunities for himself or his teammates. His first assist came when he collected a puck out of the corner and moved it low to high quickly. His defenseman scored from the blue line, giving Hiroki his first point of the night. His goal told a similar story — crashing the net, finding the rebound, and burying it past the goalie with force. These were both nothing plays on their own, but because Hiroki consistently does the little things right, he was rewarded tonight. With a goal and two assists, it was a productive night for Hiroki
Jake Pilon (G, L, 6’4″, 214, Kelowna Rockets, 10/12/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Playing against his old team, Jake battled incredibly hard despite not getting the win. He’s a good-sized goalie at 6’3′, 210 lbs. Giving up six goals for a .793 save percentage doesn’t look great on paper, but watching the game, it’s hard to pin much of it on him. He turned away multiple Grade-A chances, including some slot opportunities. Jake works well through screens and doesn’t overcommit. His rebound control is solid, and when he needs to scramble, he’s quite athletic. This was a tough game, but he made the best of it. At times, Jake plays a bit deep in his crease, allowing second or third chances to beat him, as they did tonight. Becoming more aggressive in his positioning and taking more control of his crease could help eliminate some of the goals he let in tonight.
Timofei Runtso (D, R, 6’2″, 187, Victoria Royals, 07/06/2007, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Timofei continues to illustrate his offensive style as a defenseman. He can lead breakouts with crisp passes or simply skate the puck out of the zone. He wasn’t afraid to join the rush and still took his defensive responsibilities seriously, never overstretching on plays. Timofei has great hands and uses his reach to protect the puck as he motors up the ice or out of corners. He quarterbacked the power play in an umbrella setup, moving the puck effectively and putting shots on net when lanes opened. Timofei finished the game with an assist and a +1 rating.
Nolan Stewart (F, L, 6’0″, 171, Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights, 08/10/2004)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Nolan, a lefty, played right wing was on the third line tonight. It’s no surprise he’s playing at a point-per-game pace with his work ethic and skill set. His ability to read the ice and find open areas allows him to use his explosive straight-line speed to his advantage. As the third forward on the forecheck, he evaluates the play and consistently puts himself in position to create turnovers. His goal tonight was another testament to his hard-nosed, skillful style. Chasing a loose puck and dropping his shoulder, Nolan worked around his defender and chipped a tough-angle shot short side over the goalkeeper’s shoulder. This brought Victoria back within two goals heading into the third. The young forward has high potential and is proving it with his production.
Hayden Moore (C, R, 5’11”, 181, Victoria Royals, 03/19/2006)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hayden has a well-rounded skill set with solid skating, very good hands, and an above-average shot and vision. When he has space, his larger frame makes it difficult to knock him off the puck, and his calm demeanor under pressure gives him confidence to make plays. Early in the game, Hayden was a threat, using his powerful downhill shot on the power play to ring one off the crossbar. As the game went on, though, his calm demeanor turned into a lack of urgency, as Hayden is proving he can be an elite player at this level. Running only three centers this game this should be seen as an off night for the 19-year-old forward.
Landon Young (D, L, 5’9″, 172, Victoria Royals, 04/21/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Landon is an undersized defenseman (5’9′, 170 lbs) who is reliable and always in the right spots. Defensively, he ensures he’s between his assignment and his net. On breakouts, he makes crisp first passes, always looking to move the puck to his forwards. Offensively, he makes simple plays, putting pucks on net when appropriate and looking for tips from teammates driving to the crease. Landon made some solid blue-line pinches tonight and chose his moments well, not losing any offensive wall battles. His power play unit ran a box-and-one, and his goal came on a simple seeing-eye shot that squeaked past Kelowna’s goalie.
Miles Cooper (LW, L, 5’10”, 163, Victoria Royals, 08/04/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Miles’s greatest attribute is his speed and puck control at top speed. Through the neutral zone, his ability to dynamically change direction makes it hard for opponents to contain him. Around the net, his quick bursts and ability to pull his hands away from defenders give him an extra second to make plays. Miles has shown he can score at the WHL level, but tonight he looked more like a playmaker, looking to pass and find the open man. His power play unit operates as a box-and-one, zipping the puck around while creating switches up top — exactly how he registered his assist tonight. He finished +1 and won 10 of 17 faceoffs (58%), doing his job to give his team puck possession.
Roan Woodward (C, L, 5’10”, 178, Victoria Royals, 09/03/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Roan is a speedy forward who likes open ice and space. In tight, he struggles in one-on-one battles but excels with the puck on his stick at speed. Tonight, Roan contributed most on the power play, using deception up high to shoot, pass, and create openings for his unit. This included no-look passes and multiple head or shoulder fakes. Although he didn’t register a point, Roan created multiple quality chances. Finishing the game -2 hurts his overall performance, and improving his defensive side and compete level would go a long way.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images