Played on Sep 19, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: Sam Oremba got the visiting Spokane Chiefs rolling just two minutes into the game as he scored on a two on one, coming off a neutral zone turnover. The reality is this was an indication of what was to come in this game. The Chiefs went on to score three more times before the end of the first and cruised to an 8-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets. They were led by Mathis Preston with three points, while Chase Harrington and Coco Armstrong added two goals each. Carter Esler was very steady between the pipes for the Chiefs stopping 36 Kelowna shots.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 176, Kelowna Rockets, 06/24/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B-
Kalder Varga is a dynamic right shooting forward with impressive skating ability, showcasing top speed and acceleration on the ice. His growing confidence has led to a more assertive playing style, particularly in driving the attack through the neutral zone. He displays determination and competitive nature when challenging larger defensemen and taking pucks to the net. While Varga’s defensive game still requires refinement, his poise in holding onto pucks is notable. However, he struggles with off-puck awareness and positioning, and his performance in wall battles is underwhelming at present.
1 Viewing
Comments: Varga is a strong skater with very good acceleration and a quick, accurate release on his shot which was on display when he scored on a semi breakaway. He also shows good stick/puck skills. In this game he was inconsistent shift-to-shift and didn’t consistently deploy his best tools, showing lapses in decision-making through the neutral zone that led to turnovers and odd-man chances for the opposition. Confidence with the puck appeared to be an issue — he needs to play with more assertiveness, and make cleaner reads under pressure. Bottom line: the raw tools are there, but Varga must raise his compete level, tighten up his decision-making, and bring more consistency every shift to reach his potential.
Kanjyu Gojsic (RW, R, 6’0″, 190, Kelowna Rockets, 01/11/2008)
Game Rating
B-
Gojsic has a unique combination of speed, physicality, and agility that makes him an interesting prospect to watch. They possess good top-end speed, which allows them to beat defensemen wide and create scoring opportunities. Their robust playing style is a standout aspect of their game, with the potential to develop into an effective power forward if they focus on playing hard-nosed hockey. While their hands are decent, their quick-release shot adds value to their offensive game. In recent performances, they have shown flashes of their upside, demonstrating good skating ability, handling the puck well, and a willingness to finish hard on forechecks. They make smart reads on the attack and effectively roll off checks down low. With continued growth and development, this player has the potential to become an effective contributor at higher levels.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gojsic is a good skater with a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to knock off the puck and allows him to gain and protect possession in traffic and to dish out contact. His puck skills are sound, although on this night, he didn’t seem to want the puck. In this game he was largely invisible because he didn’t play the heavy, north-south style he needs to succeed—he must bring the physical element night-to-night, get to the net more often, win more wall battles and loose-puck scrums, and consistently drive play inside the offensive zone. When he combines his skating and puck skill with a willingness to engage physically and finish at the crease, he projects as a high-impact forechecker and possession driver; on nights like this one he looks one-dimensional and ineffective.
Eli Barrett (RW, R, 5’11”, 175, Kelowna Rockets, 04/11/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Barrett is an very good skater with explosive quickness and strong top-end speed that consistently allows him to separate and recover in transition. He competes hard in battles and puck retrievals, using both his body and stick effectively to win possession. Success in these battles seemed difficult at times given his lack of strength at a young age. He shows poise with the puck — making calm, clean plays under pressure and navigating tight spaces well. Barrett showed a reliability aspect in the defensive zone with sound positioning and an understanding when he should enter piles. He communicates on the ice, actively finds open space and calls for the puck, making him a dependable option in both possession and transition phases. Overall, Barrett projects as a high-effort, skilled skater who can drive play and contribute consistently in competitive situations.
Carter Esler (G, L, 5’10”, 166, Spokane Chiefs, 11/28/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Esler — a 2027 draft-eligible goaltender listed at 5’10’ — plays significantly bigger than his size, showing steady, controlled movement post-to-post and rarely coming apart with movement. He is particularly strong down low, battles effectively for loose pucks in the crease, and limits second-chance opportunities with minimal rebounds as shots tend to stick to him. Esler is also willing and able to play the puck behind his net, making a reasonable number of successful plays. He exhibits a confidence and presence in the net.
Kaden Allan (D, L, 6’3″, 188, Spokane Chiefs, 01/25/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Allan is a reliable, 6’3′ left-shot defenseman (2026 draft eligible) who stands out for his strong skating and confident puck skills; in this game he was steady defending the rush, effective along the walls with the hit and pin, and consistently made the safe, correct plays to facilitate clean breakouts. He displays calm poise under pressure, routinely choosing the simple outlet or stretch pass to relieve danger, yet also recognizes and exploits open ice in front of him and will carry the puck himself and will join the attack as a complementary attacker. He was also on the top penalty killing unit. Overall he projects as a dependable two-way defender with mobility, good decision-making, and the tools to play top-four minutes.
Cohen Armstrong (RW, R, 6’0″, 186, Spokane Chiefs, 05/26/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Armstrong is a dependable two-way forward who is a good skater that is very sturdy, making him difficult to knock off his feet. He was quite noticeable on this night with his competitive play all over the ice, especially along the walls; he consistently wins puck battles and regularly drives opponents off the puck. He showed good puck skills in tight, finishing two two-on-one chances with a quick release to score twice. Trusted on the top penalty-killing unit, he logged over 18 minutes of ice time and brings reliable, hard-nosed minutes to his team.
Gavin Burcar (F, R, 6’2″, 165, Spokane Chiefs, 01/08/2009, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Burcar is a 2009, 6’2 right shooting center, 2027 draft eligible player that definitely showed some high upside in his first WHL game. He’s a very good skater with open ice speed along with a solid base who is difficult to knock off pucks. He showed confidence in all three zones, with or without the puck. He did not shy away from any battles for pucks on the wall and did not hesitate to go to the hard net front area. With the puck he showed very good poise with an ability to hold onto it to make a play. He was very dependable at both ends of the rink and played a respectable 12 minutes, while winning 50% of his face offs. Also impressive for a young player was that he was used on the second power play unit.
Tristen Buckley (C, L, 6’0″, 172, Spokane Chiefs, 12/09/2007, UMass Lowell)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Buckley is a smart two-way forward with better than average skating ability that allows him to consistently find space and support plays; his quick hands and playmaking vision produced a primary assist on a two-on-one feeding his linemate Oremba and, he also finished a two-on-one with a quick release, blocker-side low shot for his first WHL goal. Defensively he reads plays well, wins his share of board battles and on faceoffs effectively picks up and takes his man to the net. He was on the second power-play unit, showing he has the tools to be an effective offensive contributor for the Chiefs.
Chase Harrington (LW, L, 6’1″, 296, Spokane Chiefs, 10/30/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Chase Harrington possesses a well-rounded skill set that makes him an intriguing prospect in the 2026 NHL draft. His impressive speed and quickness enable him to create scoring opportunities, particularly in the neutral zone where he excels at driving the offense. Harrington’s puck handling is a notable strength, allowing him to make significant contributions as both a shooter and distributor on the power play. While his defensive zone awareness can be inconsistent at times, Harrington has shown promise in winning battles for loose pucks and demonstrates strong poise with the puck. His ability to read the game and position himself effectively in the offensive zone is well above his age group. With continued development, Harrington’s potential is significant, making him a player worth watching as he progresses.
1 Viewing
Comments: Harrington had a bit of a slow start but as the game progressed got a lot better. He is an impact forward with strong skating and quickness, able to create in tight areas and on the rush; on this night he finished with two goals — a high-end quick-release one-timer off a crisp cross-ice feed from line mate Preston, and a second that began with winning a puck battle in the corner before he spun free, made a play to a teammate and went hard to the net to finish on the rebound. Harrington has always shown a willingness to compete for pucks on walls and battle but he showed noticeably more pushback and willingness to engage in net-front scrums than previously, a nice addition to a very good all round game that he possesses. The keys to his game remain though on his elite playmaking instincts along with very good puck skills and quickness with an ability to finish.
Rhett Sather (D, L, 6’0″, 178, Spokane Chiefs, 09/25/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Sather (5’11’) is a 2027 draft-eligible, smooth-skating left-shot, puck-moving defenseman who looked very comfortable and confident in this game. His strong puck skills and consistent pre-scanning of the ice allow him to make quick, accurate outlet passes and activate the rush effectively. Trusted on the Rockets’ second power-play unit and second penalty-killing unit, he logged an impressive 25 minutes, showing poise under pressure, good gap control and body positioning in battles along the boards. He’s not a physical player but Sather’s hockey IQ, mobility and transition game project him as a reliable top-four puck mover who can quarterback a breakout and eat important minutes in key situational roles. With further strength work along with learning to use his stick better to defend, he will only add to an already very good skill set.
Mathis Preston (C, R, 5’11”, 177, Spokane Chiefs, 07/21/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Mathis Preston is a skilled center with impressive offensive abilities and quick footwork, making him a threat on the ice. His puck skills and shot release allow him to capitalize on scoring opportunities, but he tends to focus on shooting rather than distributing the puck. Preston’s small stature may limit his physical presence, but he has potential for growth in his battle instinct, particularly in competitive puck races. He is an elite shooter with a quick release, able to find soft spots in defenses and exploit openings in the middle of the ice. While Preston’s competitiveness can lead to discipline issues, his blend of skill, toughness, and hockey sense makes him a player to watch. With refinement in his discipline, he has the potential to reach his full impact on the game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Preston consistently showed next-level tools in this game, having an impact both with and without the puck; he can drive play through the neutral zone using his strong skating ability and puck carrying skills. In the offensive zone his vision and passing stand out — he delivered a perfect cross-ice feed to linemate Harrington in the slot that resulted in a goal — and he consistently creates scoring chances. He has a knack for making himself available for pucks and is more than willing to go to the net. Couple that with a very dangerous release as a shooter, makes him a very effective dual threat. He competes hard on the walls, battles for pucks, and backchecks effectively into his own end, all while showing strong poise and composure with the puck.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Bill Maguire