Played on Nov 22, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: This was a feisty affair, as both teams combined for 102 minutes in penalties which involved several skirmishes, with the Rockets coming out on top with a tight 2-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks. Tomas Poletin got the Rockets on the board in the first on a power play, scoring on a hard wrister from the top of the circle. Defenceman Mazden Leslie scored a beauty, and game winner, in his 300 WHL game. Goaltender Harrison Boettiger was very good again in the net for the Rockets making 30 saves for the win.
Carson Wetsch (RW, R, 6’1″, 201, Kelowna Rockets, 05/04/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Carson Wetsch is a hard-working winger who consistently delivers physical minutes and plays with a strong motor every shift. He has good speed and agility, using his top-end speed to beat defenders and create scoring chances. Wetsch excels in tight spaces, particularly behind the net line, where he can use his body to protect the puck and drive towards the goal. While finishing his scoring opportunities remains an area for improvement, Wetsch’s compete level is evident, and he has a reliable presence on both offense and defense. His ability to activate on the attack and wear down opponents through board work makes him a valuable asset to his team. With some refinement in technique, Wetsch could unlock more consistent success in battles for puck possession.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wetsch is a dependable 200-foot contributor whose consistent work ethic and steady play make him reliably effective every night; a very good skater with strong top-end speed and solid puck skills, he becomes a real threat in transition and on the attack, often using deceptive moves and quickness making defensemen work to stop him. He competes hard in all areas, brings a physical edge, and is regularly in the thick of net-front scrums battling until the whistle, and after. In this game he logged 21:30 of ice time, played a key role on the top power-play unit and contributes on the penalty kill. His vision and playmaking were on display in the offensive zone when he was heading up the wall towards the blue line, saw defenseman Mazden Leslie diving down to the far post, was able to make an unbelievable cross ice pass down to the far post where Leslie made a great deke and finished for a goal.
William Sharpe (D, L, 6’0″, 197, Kelowna Rockets, 03/07/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Sharpe is an offensively gifted defenseman with smooth skating ability and strong puck skills. He effectively uses his mobility to join the attack and make smart first passes, showcasing his versatility as a left shooter on right defense. Sharpe also possesses physicality, competing hard along the boards and bringing a reliable edge to his play. In his defensive game, Sharpe has shown growth in timing and situational awareness, but still requires development in consistency and focus. He struggles with reading the attack in certain situations, making poor decision-making that results in turnovers or goals against. Despite these challenges, Sharpe’s overall skill set, including puck-handling skills, is noteworthy. To reach his full potential, Sharpe must prioritize defensive responsibilities, focusing on details such as situational awareness and consistent puck moving decisions. With continued development in this area, he has the potential to become a well-rounded two-way player at the next level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sharpe is a mobile defenseman whose elite skating — excellent top-end speed and quickness — fuels his game both with and without the puck; he will stay up in the neutral zone to disrupt entries, maintains sound body positioning in the defensive zone and finishes plays physically along the boards and in front of the net, where he pushes back and holds his ground in scrums. In this outing he logged just over 22 minutes (slightly above his season average) and won roughly 60% of his one-on-one puck battles, showing clear effectiveness competing for loose pucks. He’s a reliable puck handler who pre-scans and can make plays while moving and is equally capable transporting the puck out of his own zone, rarely getting caught on the wrong side of the play — a notable improvement — and he provides value on special teams as a contributor to the second power-play unit and occasionally on the penalty kill.
Rowan Guest (D, L, 6’4″, 212, Kelowna Rockets, 01/31/2006)
Game Rating
B
Guest is a dependable presence on the Rockets’ back end, consistently delivering solid performance with long reach and timing that allows him to cut off attacks in the neutral zone. He defends with sound position and controlled physicality, finishing checks and getting involved when necessary. A skilled skater with clean puck skills, Guest excels at making reliable outlet passes to jumpstart rushes. He displays composure and two-way instincts, positioning himself well for situational defense prospects. Guest’s steady play and overall skills are on par with his role, demonstrating a strong foundation as a minutes-eating defensemen.
1 Viewing
Comments: Guest, a 6’4′ left shot blue-liner, continues to be a highly effective defensive presence for the Rockets — he logged 28 minutes in this game, including over five minutes on the penalty kill — relying on size, physicality and steady decision-making rather than flash. An average skater with deceptive quickness and decent top end speed, he moves around the ice efficiently, recovers pucks quickly in his own zone and consistently makes competent first passes to trigger the breakout. His puck skills are reliable, his physical play helps him manage traffic and close gaps, and growing confidence has him more willing to carry the puck through neutral ice when space appears, making him a dependable, minutes-eating defenseman on PK and even-strength minutes.
Jordan Duguay (C, L, 5’10”, 177, Portland Winterhawks, 02/16/2008)
Game Rating
B+
This player is a skilled creative driver with a unique blend of speed, agility, and puck-handling abilities. They possess excellent skating skills, allowing them to make quick moves on the ice. Their patience and poise with the puck enable them to make both safe and sophisticated plays, creating scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates. In the offensive zone, they demonstrate high hockey IQ, ability to read the game, and vision. This allows them to find soft areas of defense and make intelligent positional changes. They are effective in various roles, including net-front and pop-out positions, where they can deliver precise passes and set up scoring chances for their teammates.
1 Viewing
Comments: Duguay (19:30 TOI) is a driving offensive player for the Winter Hawks, logging top-line minutes and a key role on the top power-play unit; he sits third on the club with eight goals and 23 points. At 5’10’ he isn’t the biggest forward, but he competes hard, goes to the net, battles in scrums and is willing to push through traffic. He is a smooth, confident skater with very good puck skills and the speed and acceleration to beat defensemen off the rush, while his shifty, mobile stride helps him protect the puck and navigate tight areas. Smart with his reads, he can both finish and create — showing poise on the flank of the power play and making plays that keep his line dangerous.
Cole Slobodian (D, L, 6’2″, 193, Portland Winterhawks, 04/02/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Slobodian (2006) is a very good defensive defenseman who projects as a reliable, steady top-four presence; at 6’2′ he skates well, defends physically in the defensive zone-finishing checks hard along the walls-and consistently makes plays with good puck skills and is a reliable outlet passer. He isn’t flashy, but his game-to-game dependability stands out: in this contest he logged over 24 minutes (second on the team despite virtually no power-play time) and was rewarded with his first goal of the season, a textbook one-timer from just above the faceoff circle that beat the goalie cleanly low glove. Overall he profiles as a shutdown defenseman who can drive transition and be trusted in tough minutes.
Liam Reed (D, L, 5’9″, 157, Portland Winterhawks, 09/17/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Reed, in only his third WHL game was quite good, skating with notable quickness and mobility while showing confidence, played about 12 minutes, up from approximately nine in his previous two games. He won more than half his battles — impressive for a 5’9′ competitor. He combines strong edgework and acceleration with very good puck skills, several times evading pressure, then carrying the puck out of trouble, driving through the neutral zone and creating plays. Defensively he works hard in his own end, engages physically on the boards, uses a reliable stick, and willingly battles net front on point shots. Overall, Reed projects as a mobile defender whose skating and puck-handling allow him to impact transition play and compete reliably in the defensive zone.
Will McLaughlin (D, L, 6’2″, 169, Portland Winterhawks, 03/10/2008, Colorado College)
Game Rating
B
McLaughlin is a promising prospect with a well-rounded skill set that showcases his potential for growth. He possesses good mobility and puck skills, allowing him to make reliable plays in various situations. His ability to read the play and jump into position as a supporting option is impressive. In his own end, McLaughlin is positionally sound, providing steady defensive coverage. He also contributes on both power play and penalty kill units, demonstrating versatility. Areas for improvement include refining his battling technique and avoiding unnecessary risks when standing still. Despite these areas for development, McLaughlin’s overall game shows promise as a capable next-level player with clear upside.
1 Viewing
Comments: McLaughlin is a steady, not flashy, confident two-way defenseman for the Winterhawks who consistently makes plays and contributes at both ends of the ice; he logged 23 minutes in this game (above his usual ~20) and plays on the club’s second power play and penalty kill. His forward stride is good though not elite, but his backward skating and overall mobility are very good – he rarely gets beaten one-on-one, maintains a tight neutral-zone gap, and uses the surfing technique effectively. He reads the play well, pre-scans before possession, at times jumps into the attack as an extra layer, and shows poise with the puck and strong passing vision. While not a physical hitter, he uses body position smartly to impede opponents, finish contact and sustains body positioning. Improved overall speed, and quickness will go a long way for this player. Recently his battle-rate has improved (last two games raised his season average to about 55%), making him a very reliable, high-IQ defender.
Jake Gustafson (RW, R, 6’4″, 179, Portland Winterhawks, 04/03/2008, Colorado College)
Game Rating
B
Gustafson showcased a promising skill set on the ice, with solid skating mechanics and good mobility for his size. He displayed strong hockey IQ, making intelligent decisions on both offense and defense. Gustafson consistently competed hard every shift, demonstrating a strong work ethic for a young player. While he still needs to improve his speed and quickness, his current abilities suggest potential as a reliable two-way forward.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gustafson is a 6’4′ right winger with a well-rounded skill set who works hard over 200 feet – a good skater with similar top-end speed, was on display when he raced through the middle with the puck, passed off to the wing, and accelerated past two defenceman into the clear, where he received the return pass netfront but just failed to capitalize. He shows reliable puck skills and poise which is on display on the second power-play unit, and complements his playmaking with a quick, heavy shot and a strong release. While not a physically imposing hitter, he competes for pucks consistently, though his battle-win percentage sits at a relatively low number around 40% this season, and he logged just over 14 minutes in this outing – suggesting upside as a skilled, net-driving winger who could add strength and consistency in puck battles.
Carter Sotheran (D, R, 6’3″, 202, Portland Winterhawks, 06/26/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Sotheran is a composed 2005-born defenseman for the Winterhawks who provides a steady, reliable presence on the backend; he reads the game well in his own zone, moves the puck cleanly and consistently, and rarely puts his team in trouble. Calm with the puck, he shows the vision and timing to find open teammates—highlighted by a play where he picked up the puck on his own blue line, pre-scanned, spun and fired a perfect stretch pass to an uncovered winger at the far blue—and he can also carry the puck out of danger when needed. He logged 25 minutes in this game, is entrusted on both the top power play and penalty kill, and projects as a dependable two-way defender who can quarterback special teams and be leaned on in tight defensive situations.
Reed Brown (C, L, 5’11”, 161, Portland Winterhawks, 02/22/2008)
Game Rating
B
Reed Brown is a skilled left-winger known for his hard-working, attacking style of play. He excels on the ice with his strong skating ability, which enables him to quickly close in on opponents and create scoring opportunities. His puck skills are reliable, allowing him to outmaneuver defenders and find open lanes. Brown’s competitive drive is evident, as he consistently pushes forward and creates chances for himself and his teammates. While he has shown flashes of success early in the season with six goals in nine games, there are areas for improvement, particularly in one-on-one battles where he struggles to achieve a higher success rate. Despite this, his overall skillset suggests potential for growth and development.
1 Viewing
Comments: Brown is a hard-working, highly mobile winger with high end straight-line speed and explosive acceleration-he can carry the puck at top speed and sustain possession through transition-whose quick feet and mobility allows him to be a problem for defensemen as a forechecker, he consistently finishes physically and is usually relentless. He also backchecks with strong effort and sound neutral-zone angling; he showed his dangerous upside on the attack when he recovered a puck inside his own blue line, burst past would-be checkers and created a high-quality scoring chance at the other end showing his high speed elusive abilities on the attack. He earns a role as the late man on the second power-play unit, often playing bigger than his 5’11’ frame. In this game, he logged almost 17 minutes and ice time. The primary area for improvement is his effectiveness in puck/board battles, where his success rate this season is under 40%.
Nathan Free (RW, R, 5’10”, 163, Portland Winterhawks, 06/23/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
B+
Free’s game is marked by explosive speed, agility, and excellent puck skills. He excels at creating space off the flank with his high-tempo playmaking and sharp shooting ability. Free presents a dual threat on the power play, capable of making instinctive passes or unleashing quick shots. While he shows promise defensively, there are moments of circling instead of taking possession, indicating room for improvement. Free’s skating abilities are highly impressive, allowing him to quickly change direction and accelerate past defenders. His puck handling skills are also noteworthy, showcasing a quick stick that enables precise passing and shooting. However, his work ethic is an area of focus; he must develop consistency in his competitiveness and grind mentality to elevate his game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Free is an explosive, high-end skater – light on his feet with excellent edge work, elite top speed and a powerful first step – who combines that pace with quick hands, high-end puck skills and a very good shot with an excellent release. He competes hard both ways, routinely backchecks and wins pucks. Notably stripping an opponent on a backcheck, attacking with speed then creatively knocking the last defender’s stick out of his hands and creating a high-quality scoring chance. He is a dangerous power-play option on the top unit where his movement, vision and passing pair with his release. He logged nearly 20 minutes of ice time, third among forwards in the game and leads the team with 13 goals, and is a constant offensive threat; his primary area for improvement defensive-zone positioning and awareness.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images