Played on Oct 10, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The hometown Kelowna Rockets seemed to lack urgency in this affair and ended up on the wrong side of a 3-1 score at the hands of the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Rockets were 1-6 on the powerplay as Mazden Leslie scored, breaking an 0-13 slump. Kaleb Hartmann, Antonio Martorana and Sawyer Mayes into an empty net did the damage for the Thunderbirds. Marek Sklenicka made 35 saves in the Seattle net for the win.
Harrison Boettiger (G, L, 6’2″, 189, Kelowna Rockets, 12/11/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Boettiger — a 6’2′, 190 lb., draft-eligible (2007) left-catching goaltender — posted a solid return from injury, stopping 28 of 30 for a .933 SV%; while he’d like the first goal back that he gave up on a two-on-one where he was a bit too deep and not challenging the shooter enough, he otherwise looked composed and reliable, using his large frame to block shots and showing strong competitiveness on loose pucks around the crease. Down low he’s tough to beat and he moves well post-to-post, although at times he can lose his net on this movement. The second goal was a seeing-eye on the power-play while the third was an empty netter. He had some difficulty with making plays with the puck, some of which was due to lack of communication. Overall a promising performance in his first WHL game that reinforces his movement, competitiveness, and rebound control as draftable traits.
Tomas Poletin (RW, L, 6’1″, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 04/30/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Poletin is a powerful 6’1′, 205-lb left winger (2007) with a strong, efficient stride and decent top-end speed that can improve with refinement; he plays a physical game, consistently finishes checks and battles to the net, showing a willingness to go into the blue paint and compete for loose pucks. His standout trait is his shot—effective both on the move and from set-ups, including a pro-caliber one-timer—and he excels as a complementary offensive piece who finds open ice and finishes chances rather than driving play. Strong on puck races and relentless in pursuit, he projects as a dependable secondary scoring winger who can provide net-front presence and physicality while still needing to develop his skating explosiveness and playmaking to take the next step. In this game he logged 19 minutes of ice time and is a key contributor on the top power play unit of the Rockets. His battle numbers showed what he is capable of as he had a 76% success rate in this game, and is 58% over this early season.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 181, Kelowna Rockets, 06/24/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B+
Kalder Varga showcases a dynamic skill set, excelling in areas such as skating ability and puck skills. His quick hands and accurate shot allow him to make plays in tight spaces. While he has the potential to control games with his play-driving forward style, consistency remains a concern. He needs to raise his compete level, tighten up his decision-making, and bring more consistency every shift. Varga demonstrates agility and determination, often driving the attack through the neutral zone. His confidence has grown throughout the season, translated into a more assertive playing style. However, his defensive game requires refinement, particularly in off-puck awareness and positioning. He also struggles in wall battles, indicating a need for improvement in strength and technique.
1 Viewing
Comments: Varga (2008, draft eligible) a 5’11’ right wing committed to the University of Denver, turned in the best game this scout has seen: a confident, all-around performance in 14+ minutes of ice time built on very sound skating — a blend of speed, mobility and quickness — and high-end stick skills. He consistently drove play, controlled the puck with patience and poise, and pushed harder in scrums and along the walls than in past outings, including a spirited bout he engaged in with a Thunderbirds player. The aforementioned combination seemed to translate to his overall game and a much more effective net threat and a clear asset on the top power-play unit. He also displayed more pace and vision through the neutral zone and smart distribution once he gained the offensive blue line, signaling an expanding two-way presence and growing readiness for higher levels.
Owen Folstrom (C, R, 5’11”, 184, Kelowna Rockets, 03/21/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Owen Folstrom possesses a well-rounded skill set, making him a reliable asset on the ice. As a center, he excels at skating and handling contact, allowing him to effectively protect the puck and make plays for teammates. His strong shot and quick release make him a threat in both offense and faceoff situations. Folstrom’s ability to battle in tough areas is notable, particularly for his age. He uses his speed and agility to create scoring opportunities and defend against opponents. While he may need to improve his faceoff consistency and battling skills, Folstrom has the potential to be a quality contributor in the third center slot.
1 Viewing
Comments: Folstrom (2008), 5’11’, 185 lbs, right center — has developed into an effective two-way pivot for the Rockets; a solid, steady skater with a strong base who’s difficult to knock off the puck, he combines very good puck skills and a willingness to drive through traffic with possession, makes him a threat offensively with the puck when he wants to be. He shows a heavy release that he could use more often; he’s a dependable situational player — 5 v 5 , second PP unit and PK contributor, while logging 14+ minutes overall in this game. Defensive awareness and positioning are strengths, but his battle win rate (33% in this outing) is a clear area for improvement given his solid skating foundation and physical frame.
Nate Corbet (D, L, 6’2″, 188, Kelowna Rockets, 03/15/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Corbet brings a valuable aspect of physicality to the team, embodying the qualities of compete and toughness through his nightly performances. As a reliable defender, he consistently delivers solid play, despite not possessing flashy skills. He excels in navigating the ice with ease and is an effective puck handler, capable of creating opportunities for himself and others. He demonstrates a strong work ethic by battling hard in front of his goalie, utilizing good technique to outmaneuver opponents. His impressive performance on this night showcased his ability to win crucial battles, earning him significant ice time and contributing to the team’s overall success.
1 Viewing
Comments: Corbet (2006) is a 6’2′, 185 lb left-shot defenseman who projects as a shutdown, physical defender with dependable penalty-killing value; he logged nearly 17 minutes and won, not surprisingly, 67% of his battles in this outing. Primarily noted for sound defensive positioning and physical play, he also showed an expanded toolset this game — composed, confident decision-making with the puck, and the ability to hold the puck longer to initiate or join the rush. At the offensive blue line he displayed excellent poise, using quickness, acceleration, deceptive fakes and tight stickhandling to jump into open lanes, create scoring chances for himself and make plays for teammates, suggesting upside as a two-way contributor when asked to activate.
Brock England (C, L, 5’11”, 174, Seattle Thunderbirds, 08/22/2009)
Game Rating
B+
Brock England is a skilled center with a well-rounded game that combines impressive skating ability with strong puck skills. He excels in both open ice and tight spaces, using his quickness and agility to create time and space on the ice. England competes hard along the boards and in the netfront, often winning battles for positioning. While he struggles with face-off dot success, displaying some finish on the ice, particularly on a shorthanded breakaway goal.
1 Viewing
Comments: England (2009, 2027 draft eligible) is a 5’11’ versatile forward who plays both centre/left wing with a high-end skill set and notable confidence in his game. He is a smooth, top-end skater with explosive acceleration—able to separate from pursuers—and shows excellent puck skills, quick hands and a surprisingly heavy shot for his age. Creative and dangerous on the attack, he plays on the top power-play unit and also brings value on the top penalty kill, demonstrating a two-way flair. His defensive awareness is generally good, but he needs to add more controlled stop-and-start play in the defensive zone to improve gap management and transition defense. Overall he projects as a dynamic playmaker with scoring upside that will eventually excel in the centre ice position who still has developmental polish to add on the defensive side.
Colton Gerrior (C, R, 6’3″, 191, Seattle Thunderbirds, 10/07/2008)
Game Rating
B
Colton Gerrior is a promising young player with a well-rounded skill set. He boasts a strong physical presence, using his size and speed to effectively press defense and finish on the body. His stick-handling skills are also impressive, allowing him to control the puck in tight spaces. In the defensive zone, he demonstrates excellent positioning, providing solid support for his teammate while also showcasing poise when chipping the puck out of danger. This poise is equally evident in the offensive zone, where Gerrior is confident in holding onto the puck and making plays rather than simply passing it off to others. Overall, Gerrior’s combination of size, speed, and skillset makes him a promising prospect in hockey.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gerrior (2027 draft eligible, 2008) is a 6’2′, right-shot centre with clear upside—he skates well for his size, displays confident puck skills and above-average vision that allow him to make plays (notably on the team’s second power-play unit and showing poise on the power-play breakout), and he has quick hands in tight. In the game he played 15 minutes and drew minutes on the second penalty-kill, showing he’s trusted in special teams. The big-bodied centre would benefit from continued work on overall quickness and from more consistent willingness to attack the net and win board battles; his contest numbers in the game were a disappointing 33% (45% on the season), figures that should improve as he matures and adds strength and urgency to his 200-foot game.
Kaleb Hartmann (D, L, 5’11”, 197, Seattle Thunderbirds, 06/06/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Kaleb Hartmann is a reliable defenseman known for his intelligent playmaking ability, despite not being an overly physical presence. His excellent skating and puck handling skills enable him to facilitate seamless transitions for his team. He excels at reading the ice and making smart decisions, often opting for precision passes rather than flashy plays. In the defensive zone, Hartmann is a force to be reckoned with, using his quickness and hitting ability to neutralize opponents’ scoring threats. He also shows versatility by being involved in the attack as needed, making him a valuable asset on both sides of the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hartmann (left shot), a 2007-born 5’11’, 200 lb defenseman, projects as a defensively-minded, hard-nosed, and reliable top-four blueliner; he logged a team-high among defensemen nearly 24 minutes of ice time, won 56% of his battles, and was first over the boards on the club’s top penalty kill (including on a 5-on-3). He displays good mobility, reads plays well and uses his feet to clog the neutral zone and slow attackers, while playing physically along the walls and cleaning up the front of his net with a purpose. A steady, accurate first passer and puck-mover out of danger, he doesn’t chase offense but showed he can contribute as he intercepted a defensive zone pass, led a two-on-one and scored his first goal of the season on a nice wrister to the glove side. Overall, Hartmann offers dependable defensive play, penalty-killing value, and leadership-level minutes.
Cameron Kuzma (C, L, 6’2″, 192, Seattle Thunderbirds, 07/17/2008, Lake Superior)
Game Rating
B+
Cameron Kuzma’s performance showcased a solid, hard-nosed approach to the game. He demonstrated strong skating abilities, consistently competing for pucks in both zones. As a down-low defender, he provided reliable coverage and finished checks with physicality. On offense, Kuzma displayed a willingness to drive to the net and create space. His ability to cut into the defense’s zone was notable. In faceoff situations, he showcased his competitiveness, winning 8 of 14 battles. Kuzma’s role on the power play highlighted his potential as a two-way pivot. While his offensive finishing and playmaking skills are still developing, his physical presence and defensive abilities make him an attractive asset in the middle.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kuzma (6’2′, 2008) — left shot centre, committed to Lake Superior State — projects as a high-upside, power-center with strong special-teams value. He moves around the ice well for his size, showing good edge work and quickness with a respectable top gear, is reliable on the down-low positioning and pushes back hard in scrums vs players of any age. His puck skills and vision stand out — capable of high end creativity. Notably, a play on the attack where he beat a defenseman through the triangle and then used a slick move, stick back between his legs cross-ice pass creating a semi breakaway for his left-winger. He’s a reliable contributor on the second power-play unit and was used early in an important 4-on-4. Competitively he’s engaged on the walls and in front of the net and isn’t shy to mix it up physically. To round out his profile at the next level he’ll benefit from incremental gains in consistent top-end speed and continued strength/conditioning, but he already plays like a dependable two-way center with upside as a playmaking, net-front force.
Matej Pekar (C, L, 5’10”, 167, Seattle Thunderbirds, 09/08/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Pekar demonstrates a solid all-around skill set, marked by effective skating, puck handling, and shooting abilities. He can quickly adapt to situations on the ice and seems comfortable with the puck at his feet. However, Pekar’s inconsistent engagement level is an area for improvement. At times, he appears hesitant to engage in physical battles or take charge of the forecheck. To elevate his performance, he should focus on increasing his involvement in puck retrievals and assertiveness in physical situations. While Pekar’s size may limit his physical presence, he can still make a significant impact with his quick stick and ability to find open space. When engaged and competitive, he is capable of winning puck battles and showcasing his skills.
1 Viewing
Comments: Pekar is a compact, explosive 5’10’ left wing who has flipped the script this season by adding a relentless 200-foot compete to an already highly skilled offensive game. He is an excellent skater with quick feet and true breakaway speed, dangerous with and without the puck—slick in open ice, confident shooting, and consistently creating and finishing chances on the power play. In the offensive zone he protects the puck well, cycles and rolls off defenders to attack the net, and showed a willingness to push back in scrums on multiple occasions. It is pretty much a given that he would be on the top power play unit, but he is also now on the top penalty killing unit. In this game, he won 44% of his battles and is 50% overall on the season. Overall, Pekar projects as a dynamic, two-way winger who can drive play off the attack and contribute high-end creativity and finish at even strength and on special teams…the question is can he now bring this game in and game out.
Antonio Martorana (RW, R, 5’8″, 182, Seattle Thunderbirds, 06/18/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Martorana (2007, 5’8′) is a feisty right winger who impacted the game with relentless compete both with and without the puck; when he didn’t have possession he pursued it aggressively, and when he did he protected it well using his body and displaying a heavy stick in battles. He showed strong puck skill and playmaking ability on the top power-play unit, finishing heading downhill on the man-advantage for a goal, and his two-way value was underlined by leading his team in ice time at nearly 24 minutes while playing on both the top power play and the penalty kill units. A persistent worker and consistent spark for the Thunderbirds, Martorana projects as a high-energy contributor who can drive play, support special teams, and create offense in transition. This overall skill package will make him an effective player at the next level.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images