Played on Sep 12, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
Scout: Bill Maguire
General Game Notes: Cole Braunshausen and Drew Larioza led the way for the hometown Kelowna Rockets scoring twice each with Owen Folstrom and Connor Pankratz adding singles in a 6-1 victory over the Penticton Vees in the final pre-season contest. Whitaker Rewertz had the lone Vees marker while Josh Banini was steady in the Rocket’s goal.
Dane Sorensen (D, L, 6’0″, 177, Kelowna Rockets, 05/02/2007, UMass Amherst)
Game Rating: B+
Skating: 3.75
Passing: 4.0
Shot: 3.75
Puck Handling: 3.75
Defense: 4.0
Size/Strength: 3.75
Compete: 4.0
IQ: 4.0
Upside/Projection: Middle 4 NCAA D1
Player Type: Two-Way Defenseman
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Sorenson (2007, LS) is a steady, two-way defenceman for the Rockets who reads the play well and can handle both sides of the puck very well; his excellent feet allow him to recover quickly and get back effectively with a notable shoulder check and his first pass is reliably efficient, helping the breakout. He confidently joins the rush and, with very good puck skills, is a power-play option while also contributing on the penalty kill. Sorenson plays a gritty, determined physical game-rarely backs down and often initiates contact (notably a big hit on a Vees player in the second)-making him a reliable, competitive presence in all situations.
Remy Koch (D, L, 5’9″, 174, Kelowna Rockets, 12/24/2010)
Game Rating: B
Skating: 4.0
Passing: 3.5
Shot: 3.25
Puck Handling: 3.75
Defense: 3.5
Size/Strength: 3.25
Compete: 4.0
IQ: 4.0
Upside/Projection: Middle 4 NCAA D1
Player Type: Two-Way Defenseman
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Koch is a 2010-born, left-shot defenseman (5’9′) who stood out for his consistent composure and poise; his mobility and quickness shine on puck retrievals where he consistently retreats quickly and can escapes pressure with control and make plays. He shows the confidence to carry the puck when there is ice in front of him, displaying sound puck skills and effective use of his body to impede opponents. Competitor by nature, he engages physically in defensive-zone coverage and is a reliable penalty-killer who reads play well, uses a strong stick and executes quick stop-and-starts to disrupt opponents. Overall he projects as a mobile, technician-style blueliner who competes hard and makes smart, calm decisions under pressure.
Cole Braunshausen (RW, R, 5’9″, 171, Kelowna Rockets, 07/02/2007)
Game Rating: B+
Skating: 4.0
Passing: 3.75
Shot: 4.0
Puck Handling: 3.75
Defense: 3.5
Size/Strength: 3.25
Compete: 3.75
IQ: 4.0
Upside/Projection: Middle 6 NCAA D1
Player Type: Finesse Forward
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Braunshausen is a competitive, hard-working forward who logged quality minutes at 5-on-5 and on both special teams, showing reliability on the power play and while killing penalties. At 5’9′ he isn’t imposing physically but consistently competes – hounding the forecheck, willing to get on the body, and attacking the dirty areas to create chances (notably finishing for a goal on a weak-side net drive). Defensively he reads the play well, getting inside lanes and stopping on pucks, and his very good straight-line speed combined with a high-end release makes him a dangerous transition threat and scorer. Overall he projects as a high-effort, two-way option who can drive play and contribute in all situations despite his smaller frame.
Madden Daneault (C, R, 5’11”, 172, Kelowna Rockets, 05/07/2011)
Game Rating: A-
Skating: 4.25
Passing: 4.0
Shot: 3.75
Puck Handling: 4.25
Defense: 3.75
Size/Skating: 3.25
Compete: 4.5
IQ: 4.5
Upside/Projection: Top Line NHL
Player Type: Two-Way Forward
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Daneault (2011) is an underage prospect who plays with the poise and decision-making of a veteran – patience, exceptionally aware, and responsible over the full 200 feet. He displays high-end hockey IQ and consistently maintains strong defensive positioning, showing reliability in his own end and willingness to engage physically. Offensively he possesses excellent puck skills, quickness, and the agility to navigate traffic, combining speed and savvy to create separation. Mobile and fast, he backchecks hard, attacks the fore-check with purpose, and competes relentlessly – a high-compete player who battles effectively in the tough areas.
Whitaker Rewertz (D, L, 5’11”, 172, Penticton Vees, 08/18/2009, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Rating: B
Skating: 4.25
Passing: 3.75
Shot: 3.25
Puck Handling: 4.25
Defense: 3.25
Size/Skating: 3.25
Compete: 4.5
IQ: 4.5
Upside/Projection: Middle 4 NCAA D1
Player Type: Offensive Defenseman
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Rewertz (2009) is a composed, confident young defenseman with excellent feet and quickness in tight spaces; he reads the play well and will jump into the attack when the opportunity presents itself. He displays very good puck skills and is a reliable puck-mover, quickly finding his forwards and facilitating transition. Defensively he shows poise under pressure-retrieving pucks calmly, protecting the puck on the wall, and shielding to buy time for a play-while his neutral-zone pressure and consistent gap on attacking forwards reflect strong positioning and a high-end hockey IQ.
Gavin Katz (LW, R, 5’9″, 172, Penticton Vees, 03/19/2007, Minnesota)
Game Rating: B
Skating: 4.5
Passing: 3.75
Shot: 4.0
Puck Handling: 3.75
Defense: 3.25
Size/Strength: 3.25
Compete: 4.0
IQ: 4.0
Upside/Projection: Middle 6 NCAA D1
Player Type: Finesse Forward
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Katz (5’9′) may lack size but more than makes up for it with high compete, plays with pace and very good top-end speed; he consistently attacks every shift, willingly challenges opponents one-on-one and forces defenders to earn stops. His puck skills are excellent – patient with the puck, poised to make plays and adept at finding soft spots in the offensive zone – and he possesses a dependable one-timer release that makes him a legitimate scoring threat on quick entries and set plays. Projects as a high-energy playmaker/finisher who can drive transition and create offense, though adding strength and consistency in board battles would elevate his game further.
Roberts Naudins (LW, L, 6’6″, 199, Penticton Vees, 11/18/2008, Michigan)
Game Rating: B
Skating: 3.5
Passing: 3.75
Shot: 3.75
Puck Handling: 3.75
Defense: 4.0
Size/Strength: 4.5
Compete: 3.5
IQ: 4.0
Upside/Projection: Middle 6 NHL
Player Type: Two-Way Forward
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Naudins is a big-bodied, left-shot center who has the unique blend of being a smooth skater in a big body and shows a very well-rounded skill set-good hands, confident puck protection, and the habit of keeping his feet moving through traffic while willingly challenging defenders. His skating mechanics are sound and deliver very good top-end speed, though he would benefit from adding more burst and quickness to complement that stride. He stands out defensively for his awareness and ability to get below the puck on board battles, but must more consistently impose his size and finish checks to become a true two-way force; with improved short-area explosiveness and nastier physical play, he projects as a middle-six center who can drive possession and contribute in all three zones.
Thor Liffiton (D, R, 6’3″, 173, Penticton Vees, 12/06/2010)
Game Rating
B+
Sk
3.75
Pass
3.75
Shot
3.5
PH
3.75
Def
3.75
S/S
4.25
Comp
4.0
IQ: 4.0
Upside/Projection: Middle 4 NHL
Player Type: Two-Way Defenseman
Comments: OVERALL COMMENTS: Liffiton (2010) is a big-bodied, very good skill, young defenseman who pairs size, very good skating with strong overall puck skills; he consistently displayed a calm, mature game on and off the puck and regularly made a quality first pass to jump starts in transition. His skating mechanics are sound and he shows good top-end speed, though he could improve his quickness and work in tighter spaces. Defensively he competes physically, is willing to finish checks, and reads the play reliably in his own end, making him a dependable option on the back end with upside if his agility in small areas continues to develop.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images