Played on Dec 29, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The visiting Penticton Vees jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, with the Kelowna Rockets cutting it to one goal on four different occasions, but the Vees persisted for a 6-4 victory. Louis Wehmann and Brady Birnie led the way with two goals each for the victors. Hiroki Gojsic had three assists, while Shane Smith scored twice for the Rockets in a losing cause.
Owen Hayden (D, L, 6’6″, 207, Kelowna Rockets, 01/09/2009)
Game Rating
B
Hayden’s physical presence allows him to dominate the ice with his size and mobility. He effectively defends against rushers by maintaining a reliable gap in the neutral zone and uses his length, body positioning, and stick skills to shut down options. Hayden is also a strong player in both check-to-check battles and scrums, showing no hesitation or fear. His puck skills are solid, demonstrating poise and ability to create time under pressure, although he sometimes relies on throwing the puck away rather than creating something more. Overall, Hayden’s defense-first approach makes him well-suited for playing against top opponents.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hayden is a big-bodied, left-shot defenseman who pairs his size with sound mobility, allowing him to effectively slow and defend attacks through the neutral zone and in his own end. In tight spaces he uses his feet, long reach and physicality to break up plays and recover pucks, and while his primary impact is defensive he is a reliable puck-mover who shows poise and makes clean, efficient outlet plays. He’s dependable in five-on-five minutes and has handled an expanded workload as the Rockets have played with five defenceman for several games —including 15+ minutes in this game and meaningful shifts on the second penalty kill—making him a trustworthy, stay-at-home option who can handle regular minutes in a thin defensive group.
Shane Smith (C, L, 6’1″, 202, Kelowna Rockets, 01/14/2005)
Game Rating
B+
The player in question is a strong, physical center with a solid frame and good speed. They possess excellent hands and puck protection, allowing them to control possession and create scoring opportunities through their own efforts. Their ability to make plays with both passing and shooting makes them a versatile threat on the ice. Their physicality allows them to compete effectively in puck battles and on the forecheck, making them a reliable asset for their team. With the ability to drive play and contribute offensively on transition, they are well-suited to handle heavy minutes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Smith is a well-rounded, reliable forward for the Rockets who profiles as a consistent offensive threat thanks to good skating-solid top speed and acceleration-very good puck skills, and an excellent, quick – heavy release that makes him dangerous anytime he gets a clean look; in this game he demonstrated that scoring touch with two slot area one-timers that beat the goalie clean on both occasions. He logged over 22 minutes as the leading forward, showing versatility by handling minutes on both the top power play and the penalty kill; his defensive awareness and positioning are reliable in the defensive zone and on penalty killing duties, making him a dependable two-way option who opponents must respect every shift.
Daniel Pekar (C, L, 6’1″, 187, Kelowna Rockets, 04/15/2006)
Game Rating
B-
Pekar is a physically gifted player who excels in his ability to pressure the puck on the forecheck due to his strong skating skills. He possesses good hands and puck control, often making plays around the net when aggressive. Pekar’s athleticism allows him to be a threat in tight spaces, but he sometimes struggles to finish physical battles.
1 Viewing
Comments: Pekar is an intriguing, mobile forward with good skating ability and a reliable shot; his puck skills are also good, and he does occasionally show that he can make plays. He competes on the forecheck and wins a good percentage of puck battles (over 60% in this outing), demonstrating competitive drive and some physicality, but his game lacks consistent intensity and impact as the reality is that his season puck battle success rate is below 50%. To take the next step he must bring that battle-level every shift — finish checks harder, attack the net front, be first to pucks on the forecheck and win more contested possessions in high-traffic areas. Overall he has a good toolbox and some upside, but his value will be limited until he brings a more consistent compete, more physical and net-front presence.
Jacob Henderson (D, R, 6’1″, 191, Kelowna Rockets, 03/13/2008)
Game Rating
B
Jacob Henderson showcases a steady skill set as a right-shot defenseman, demonstrating reliable mobility and physicality on the ice. His skating ability allows him to maintain excellent positioning while defending, making him a formidable presence on the blue line. He effectively moves the puck and displays capable puck skills and vision. While his physical play can be aggressive at times, Henderson’s competitive nature and tenacity in battles make him a solid contributor.
1 Viewing
Comments: Henderson has matured into a steady, highly reliable defenseman who impacts the game at both ends of the ice; not the biggest player on the ice, he nevertheless competes hard, finishes checks aggressively and consistently shows up in front of the net during scrums. Offensively he reads the play well, displays calm puck-handling and poise at the blue line, finds pockets of space to move the puck through or create chances, and makes composed plays. In the defensive zone he remains calm under pressure, executes dependable outlet plays, and can handle the puck in tight areas to keep possession or transition play. Logged nearly 20 minutes in this game, Henderson is a trustworthy, two-way contributor who can be counted on for minutes on both the second power-play unit and on the penalty kill.
Hiroki Gojsic (RW, R, 6’3″, 202, Kelowna Rockets, 05/01/2006)
Game Rating
B
Gojsic is a physically gifted forward with a well-rounded skill set. He excels at puck handling, particularly when moving at high speed, and possesses a heavy, accurate shot. His skating abilities allow him to quickly accelerate away from defenders, making him a threat on the breakaway. While he can play a physical game, his engagement in battles along the boards and in front of the net is inconsistent. To elevate his impact, Gojsic needs to be more consistent in his compete level, especially on 50/50 plays.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gojsic is a big-bodied right winger with a strong foundational stride and difficult to dislodge from the puck; his combination of power and good top-end speed, along with reliable puck skills, lets him make plays. He showed his playmaking when he worked free in the offensive corner and delivered a precise feed to linemate Smith for a one-timer goal, and he provides a disruptive net-front presence on the top power-play unit where his screening and prescence created a rebound that led to a teammate’s goal. He competes physically, but adding more consistent dig in overall, aggression along the boards and in traffic would elevate his overall effectiveness and make him an even tougher matchup.
Nolan Stevenson (D, R, 6’2″, 177, Penticton Vees, 01/04/2005, St. Cloud)
Game Rating
B+
Nolan Stevenson is a well-rounded defenseman who consistently drives results on both ends of the ice. His efficient skating allows him to join rushes while maintaining coverage, making him a reliable possession and transition player. He excels at winning wall play, clearing passing lanes, and elevating special teams. Stevenson’s puck skills and poise under pressure make him a quality puck mover who can create plays. While not an overly physical defender, Stevenson compensates with excellent positioning and a strategic approach to defense, resulting in impressive battle numbers. His mobility on the ice enables him to transition effectively during offense and handle opposing attacks with agility. As a key player on his team, he logs significant ice time and contributes to both power play and penalty kill units.
1 Viewing
Comments: Stevenson is a dependable, 200-foot defenseman for the Vees who plays a consistent, responsible game on the back end; defensively he relies on excellent positioning and stick work rather than heavy physicality to break up plays, while offensively he’s a confident puck-mover who can carry the puck to lead transitions or provide an extra layer in the attack. He quarterbacks the top power play-distributing, moving laterally and getting shots through when needed-and is also a mainstay on the top penalty kill, regularly leading the defensive corps in ice time (25 minutes in this game). A strong, effective skater, but not elite, Stevenson navigates the ice well, but compensates with a very good IQ…steady decision-making, situational awareness, and reliability in all phases.
Louis Wehmann (C, L, 6’1″, 209, Penticton Vees, 04/12/2006, Cornell)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Wehmann is a steady, workmanlike forward who brings consistent energy and effort shift after shift; an average skater with decent top-end speed who would benefit from mechanical work, he nonetheless gets around the ice effectively and logged 15+ minutes in this game. His best traits are his relentless motor and defensive reliability — he pressures opponents in all zones, is effective on the forecheck, willing to finish physically, and shows good defensive awareness. He showed he also has some offensive ability, scoring twice in this game. He consistently goes to the opposition net to create chaos and was rewarded with a tap-in goal from the top of the crease by getting inside position. His puck skills are good, able to move the puck and make plays in traffic. Surprisingly, an area for improvement is his battle game — his success rate on battles is under 50% this season, below what his role and skill set demand.
Charlie Michaud (D, L, 5’11”, 199, Penticton Vees, 08/12/2006, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Michaud showed a steady, effective debut in the WHL after moving over from the NCAA, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set rather than any single elite trait; his skating is good with quickness in tight areas that lets him accelerate out of traffic, and his mobility and smart gap control make him a reliable defender-using angles, body position and a strong stick to impede attackers without relying on heavy physicality. He reads the attack well, avoids overcommitting, and competently shields lanes and finishes checks. Offensively he displays good puck skills, poise under pressure, and dependable first-pass ability. He is capable of either leading the attack, notably on one occasion navigating through Neutral Zone traffic and feathering a nice backhand pass to a teammate who finished for a goal. He was effective on the second power-play unit during a 17+ minute outing.
Diego Johnson (LW, R, 5’11”, 178, Penticton Vees, 09/07/2006, Connecticut)
Game Rating
B
Johnson (2006) is a compact right wing with good skating ability and quick hands, allowing him to finish chances creatively. He demonstrates puck skills and a willingness to play around the net, which could make him an effective middle-six winger at the collegiate level. However, his motor and compete level seem inconsistent, and he would benefit from more consistent two-way work and engagement in physical battles. On the ice, Johnson plays a strong all-around game with good defensive awareness and responsible positioning. He is reliable on both offense and defense, using his edges and strength to effectively play the boards and in traffic. With improved consistency in effort and physical engagement, he has upside as a dependable option at the collegiate level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Johnson is an energetic right wing who is noticeable most shifts with high compete and strong skating – his top-end speed lets him drive possession through the neutral zone and create quick transition chances. At 5’10’ he plays bigger than his size, finishing checks and diving into scrums; he logged 14+ minutes in this game and sees time on the second power-play unit, bringing puck pursuit and net-front activity on special teams. His work on loose pucks and willingness to engage physically are strengths, though his measured battle-success rate (sub-50% this season) and average results in puck battles suggest room to improve technique/effectiveness along the boards. He projects as a high-energy middle-six winger and penalty-kill/second-PP contributor whose value rises further if he tightens up puck protection and converts his effort into more consistent possession wins.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images