Played on Nov 15, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The hometown Kelowna Rockets peppered Spokane with 45 shots enroute to a 7-1 victory. They broke the game wide open scoring five times in the second period with Hiroki Gojsic, Tij Iginla and Jacob Henderson leading the way all with three points. Goaltender Harrison Boettiger got the win on a fairly quiet night where he faced 22 shots.
Owen Hayden (D, L, 6’6″, 207, Kelowna Rockets, 01/09/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hayden is a left-shot defenseman (2009) with an imposing 6’6′, 205-lb frame who skates well and smoothly for his size; his mobility is good which allows him to defend the rush effectively, maintaining a reliable gap through the neutral zone. He’s strong on down-low coverage, using length, body positioning and an active stick to shut down many options, and consistently finishes checks along the boards and, battles in scrums without backing down. His puck skills are serviceable-he can handle pressure, create time and shows poise rather than immediately throwing the puck away-while his passing technique is adequate but would benefit from cleaner, flatter outlets. In this game, he logged over 16 minutes of ice time, and was successful in over 65% of his battles. Overall at this point he can play against anyone, there is a lot of upside where he projects as a steady, defense-first presence who can eat minutes and defend reliably.
Shane Smith (C, L, 6’1″, 202, Kelowna Rockets, 01/14/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Smith (2005) – 6’1′, 200 lb – left center: A sturdy, strong center with solid frame and good top-end speed, Smith is difficult to move off the puck and consistently competes every shift. His hands and puck protection are very good, allowing him to drive possession through the middle and create off the rush; he is a true dual threat who can make plays with hard flat passes or unleash a quick, heavy wrist shot. He brings honest physicality and will push back when needed, making him effective in puck battles and on the forecheck. Reliable and consistent, Smith projects as a two-way pivot who can drive play, contribute offensively on transition, and handle heavy minutes. He could be a very effective contributor at the university level.
Tij Iginla (C, L, 6’0″, 191, Kelowna Rockets, 08/01/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Iginla’s game is characterized by his well-rounded skillset, which combines powerful skating, strength in battles, and strong puck protection. He consistently wins puck battles and drives to the net, creating high-danger chances through his shot release and mobility. His hands are also a notable asset, allowing him to finesse around defenders or power past them with ease. He is an effective skater who excels at controlling the pace of the game, often gaining speed through the neutral zone and leaving defensemen behind. Iginla’s puck skills and shot release are among his strongest attributes, making him a threat in both even-strength and special teams situations. While he shows flashes of excellent hockey sense, there is room for improvement in areas such as faceoff work and defensive responsibility.
1 Viewing
Comments: Iginla – 6’0′, 190 lb, left-shot center, 2006 (Utah) – projects as a high-impact two-way pivot who blends high-end puck skills with a genuine power game; he skates well with top-end straight-line speed and uses his strength and edge work/manouverabilty to navigate and sustain possession through heavy traffic, protect the puck in battles, and roll off opponents to create space. On one occasion, he did just that, battled/spun off then fed his linemate Gojsic for a goal. He showed real playmaking vision and passing precision – on a two-on-one he fired a pass through the defenders’ triangle to again set up his linemate Gojsic who finished for a goal, – and consistently finishes plays or draws pressure dishes off that creates scoring chances for others. Overall he’s a physical, skilled center with the tempo, puck protection, and decision-making to drive a middle-six role and higher if his consistency holds.
Jacob Henderson (D, R, 6’1″, 191, Kelowna Rockets, 03/13/2008)
Game Rating
B
Jacob Henderson is a solid defenseman with a reliable skill set, which has developed into a steady presence on the back end. He excels at playing physical, maintaining good body positioning and being effective in battles for the puck. His skating ability allows him to cover a lot of ground, making it difficult for opponents to knock him off balance. Henderson also displays confidence on the ice, engaging physically when necessary.
1 Viewing
Comments: Henderson (2008) is a 6’1′, 190 lb right-shot defenseman who profiles as a reliable, steady, defense-first blueliner with good mobility and a physical edge; he skates well, consistently finishes checks and makes the area in front of his net a hard place to play. Strong in his own end and trusted on the penalty kill, he moves the puck effectively and displays capable puck skills and on-ice vision that have earned him minutes on the second power play. In this game he logged nearly 19 minutes…second pairing minutes for the Rockets, showing a quietly dependable two-way ceiling with an emphasis on toughness and defensive instincts.
Kaden Allan (D, L, 6’3″, 187, Spokane Chiefs, 01/25/2008)
Game Rating
B
Kaden Allan is a mobile left-shot defenseman who excels at taking away space in the neutral zone and closing on attacking forwards. He consistently makes strong passes off the breakout and displays good vision under pressure. Allan’s retrieval skills are also notable, as he hustles back, scans options, and makes confident plays to move the puck. He is a reliable defender who chooses simple yet effective plays to facilitate clean breakouts, while also recognizing opportunities to exploit open ice in front of him. Allan demonstrates calm poise under pressure and can carry the puck himself, making him a versatile option on offense. His overall skill set suggests he has the potential to play top-four minutes as a dependable two-way defender.
1 Viewing
Comments: Allan (6’3′, 185 lbs, 2008-born) is a left-shot defensive defenseman who offers a steady, low-risk game rather than flash. He is a strong skater with effective mobility and reliable puck skills, which allow him to execute simple outlet passes or use his vision to find the stretch man and relieve pressure. He plays with physicality in front of the net and along the boards, shows sound defensive-zone positioning and gap awareness, and routinely pre-scans on retrievals so he knows where opponents and teammates are before making a play. His team lost this game, giving up seven goals, but he was only minus one. In this outing he logged over 16 minutes and won roughly 75% of his battles – the kind of dependable, two-way defender coaches can trust in key minutes.
Cohen Harris (RW, R, 5’10”, 153, Spokane Chiefs, 07/05/2008)
Game Rating
B
The player in question is a relatively compact but physically determined individual who consistently shows up to play every shift. His stride is balanced, allowing him to maintain control of the puck, and he possesses above-average straight-line speed and agility. He is skilled at creating scoring opportunities for his teammates through his strong puck skills and playmaking instincts. Harris is also a force on the walls, battling effectively to gain possession of 50/50 pucks. On defense, he reads plays well and communicates with his linemates, making timely switches as needed. This player’s two-way effort is notable, as he drives possession forward while also contributing in all zones.
1 Viewing
Comments: Harris (RW, 5’10’, 150 lbs, 2008) is a high-energy, hard-working winger who stands out for his speed and persistence as a tracker; he skates well with good top-end speed and uses it to create plays and pressure opponents. In this game he logged over 16 minutes of ice time, won roughly 40% of his battles, and showed poise with the puck while consistently attacking with pace – a player who impacts transition and forecheck with persistence. Needs to add strength and consistency in board play and finishing to maximize his offensive upside, but his compete level and skating projection make him an intriguing player with upside on the penalty kill also.
Brody Gillespie (C, L, 6’1″, 196, Spokane Chiefs, 02/16/2008)
Game Rating
B-
This player possesses solid skills that make him a reliable contributor on the team. He has good skating mechanics, including sound edge control and acceleration, which allow him to create separation from defenders. His puck protection is sturdy, and his hands are reliable, enabling him to win battles for possession. Additionally, he demonstrates decent puck skills, particularly in making plays off the rush. However, his overall performance is hindered by inconsistent work ethic and a tendency to stay on the perimeter instead of engaging physically in high-value areas. With improved focus and a willingness to battle for the puck, this player has the potential to become a dependable middle-six contributor who can drive possession and finish chances.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gillespie (6’1′, 195 lb, 2008) is a left-shot center with a well-rounded skill set who played almost 16 minutes in this game, won 70% of his faceoffs and posted a season-average battle-rate success of 45%. He is a strong skater with good top-end speed, which he uses to get in on the forecheck and occasionally drive the attack; he shows reliable puck skills, quickness and evasiveness along the boards. Coaches trust him in special teams — he draws second-unit power-play minutes where he’s effective as the late man navigating traffic on breakouts, and he sees time on the penalty kill — and is somewhat physical in board battles. Overall the tools are there, but he needs to consistently dig in and show more engagement and competitive urgency to maximize his impact at higher levels.
Ossie McIntyre (RW, L, 5’10”, 166, Spokane Chiefs, 03/18/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: McIntyre, 5’10, 165 lbs, 2009, left shot right wing, logged 12 minutes of ice time and, despite winning only 20% of his battles, showed upside as a speedy, compact forward with above-average puck skills and strong passing instincts-qualities that earned him a spot on the Chiefs’ power play; he displays good poise with the puck, moves his feet well to find seams, and consistently works hard on puck pursuit, but needs to improve board play as he struggled in battles, win more 50/50s and attack the inside lane in the offensive zone to become a more consistent scoring threat.
Chase Harrington (LW, L, 6’1″, 196, Spokane Chiefs, 10/30/2007)
Game Rating
B
Chase Harrington is a dynamic and skilled forward with a strong work ethic, competing every shift and creating sustained pressure on the opponents’ defense. His speed and agility allow him to beat defenders in tight spaces, and he finishes plays with confidence, showcasing his ability to score in various situations. Harrington’s puck skills are elite, allowing him to create passing lanes and make plays through traffic. He has a high hockey IQ, which enables him to read the play and position himself effectively in the offensive zone. His versatility as both a shooter and distributor on the power play is notable, showcasing his ability to contribute in various situations. While Harrington’s game has some areas for improvement, particularly in terms of defensive awareness, he possesses many tools to be successful at the next level. His overall skill set is impressive, and with continued development, he has significant upside as a prospect.
1 Viewing
Comments: Harrington, 6’1, 195lb, 2008 logged just over 15 minutes – slightly below his season average – and played with consistent compete (considering his team was defeated 7-1), winning north of 60% of his battles; he flashes a heavy forecheck, finishes hits, and isn’t afraid to get involved in scrums and push back physically. He skates well, shows smart puck management and playmaking instincts (notably as the late guy on the top power-play breakout), and generally makes high-percentage plays with the puck, though he did turn one possession over through the middle that led directly to a goal against. Overall he needs to move his feet more when he gets possession of the puck, getting back to a higher pace. He back checks hard and shows reliability and sound decision-making in the defensive zone. Overall, a dependable, two-way presence who can drive play with his high overall skill set.
Rhett Sather (D, L, 5’11”, 178, Spokane Chiefs, 09/25/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Rhett Sather is a skilled left defenseman with excellent mobility, allowing him to skate well and maintain separation on the ice. He possesses poise when carrying the puck, making clean first passes and utilizing his speed to create scoring opportunities. On the blue line, he excels at getting open and firing pucks through to the net. Sather is a confident and comfortable player with strong puck skills, making quick and accurate outlet passes. He shows good gap control and positioning in battles along the boards, even under pressure. His hockey IQ, mobility, and transition game make him a reliable top-four puck mover, capable of quarterbacking breakouts and playing key roles in crucial situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sather – 5’11’, 175 lb, LHD (late 2008) – is a mobile, high-skill two-way defenseman who does many things very well and provides steady, reliable minutes. He skates well, retrieves pucks quickly, pre-scans and shows good vision through the neutral zone and on breakouts, routinely executing multiple options (reverse, wheel, D-to-D) with poise; he’s active and confident with the puck, makes smart plays and competes hard every shift. He is not overly physical, but angles well and finishes checks, and showed pushback in scrums. He made good decisions defending, checking off support before committing to attack the puck carrier. He logged nearly 25 minutes in this game (his season average), plays on both the top power play and penalty kill, and despite a 7-1 team loss he finished +1 – a strong indicator of his consistent impact in all situations and his value to the lineup.
Mathis Preston (C, R, 5’11”, 177, Spokane Chiefs, 07/21/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Mathis Preston is a highly skilled player with a strong foundation in speed, agility, and puck skills. He consistently demonstrates elite quickness and top-end speed, allowing him to outmaneuver opponents on the rush or create space for himself in tight spaces. Preston’s game is characterized by his high-level vision, passing ability, and scoring instincts, making him a formidable threat on offense. He competes hard on both ends of the ice, retrieving pucks and challenging opponents physically. While there may be room for growth in his physical play, particularly in puck races, Preston’s overall skill set suggests he has the potential to make an impact at the high level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Preston (5’11’, 175 lb, 2008) is a highly skilled right wing with high end tools – explosive quickness, sudden change of pace and an evasive stride that makes him dangerous in transition and on the attack. He consistently uses his speed both on the attack with the puck and to jump into the forecheck, shows willingness to battle along the boards (54% success rate) for pucks and will finish checks. This game was lopsided in favour of the Kelowna Rockets, but he had good compete through to the end. Offensively he flashes excellent puck skills and vision as the late man on power-play breakouts, and his shot features a very quick release that is heavy. Defensively he works hard on the back pressure to strip pucks from behind and, combined with his physical play and scoring instincts, projects as a high-upside two-way winger.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images