Played on Mar 19, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The hometown Kelowna Rockets jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Hiroki Gojsic (his 20th) and Levi Benson but, Cole Reschny took over scoring twice in succession to even the game. His first came off a two on one where he fired a quick toe drag wrister past Jake Pilon with the second coming off a fine individual effort on the power play where he beat a Rockets defenseman using his speed on the attack, then beating the goaltender with a slick deke for his 25th of the season. The Royals scored into an empty net to make the final 5-3.
Hayden Paupanekis (C, R, 6’4″, 200, Kelowna Rockets, 02/04/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Hayden Paupanekis brings a strong work ethic and reliability to his team, contributing significantly to both the power play and penalty kill units. His size and skill make him a formidable presence in the offensive zone, where he excels at cycling the puck and exploiting seams in the defense. With good agility and physicality, Paupanekis is a valuable asset on both ends of the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Paupanekis is a towering 6’4″ right-handed centerman who stands out for his relentless work ethic and tenacity on the ice, consistently outworking opponents regardless of his team’s lowly position in the standings. Despite lacking the most polished skating mechanics, he possesses very good top-end speed and agility, allowing him to navigate the ice effectively while utilizing his long reach to create offensive opportunities always challenging opposing defenceman with his want to get to the middle of the ice. His commitment to competing in the high-traffic areas makes him a constant threat, and his ability to lead forwards in ice time underscores his importance to the team, as he plays key roles on both the top power play and penalty killing units. Paupanekis’s strong faceoff skills were evident with his 67% win rate during this game, further highlighting his value in critical situations. Since transitioning from wing to center, he has embraced the responsibilities of the position, solidifying his status as a key player for the Rockets. Given his outstanding work ethic I am confident the areas of his game where he may be lacking will improve with time.
Justin Kipkie (D, L, 6’3″, 210, Victoria Royals, 07/28/2005)
Game Rating
A-
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Comments: Kipkie is an impressive left shooting 6-foot-3 defenseman whose size and elite skating and mobility set him apart from his peers on the ice. His combination of size and agility allows him to navigate the back end effectively, making him a formidable presence when retrieving pucks and initiating plays. Kipkie showcases exceptional hands and puck skills, enabling him to evade forecheckers and deliver pinpoint outlet passes to teammates at distance in the neutral zone or quick ups to a teammate at the hash marks. As a quarterback on the power play he excels in distributing the puck, while his heavy and quick-release wrist shot from the point, combined with his evasiveness results in an ability to get pucks through. Defensively he uses his size to his advantage, leveraging his long reach and good stick positioning to disrupt plays and win battles. Kipkie is also a valuable asset on the penalty kill, demonstrating a willingness to block shots and contribute to his team’s defensive efforts. Overall, his blend of offensive upside and defensive reliability makes him an excellent prospect.
Cole Reschny (C, L, 5’11”, 183, Victoria Royals, 04/04/2007)
Game Rating
A-
This player showcases a versatile skill set that allows him to excel in various situations on the ice. He demonstrates a high hockey IQ, strong work ethic, and poise with the puck, particularly during power plays. His ability to read the game and position himself effectively creates scoring opportunities. He is also an effective playmaker, knowing where his teammates are prior to receiving passes. His skating technique is solid and sturdy, making him difficult to handle when in possession of the puck. He is dependable in defensive responsibilities, displaying a strong understanding of his duties. His agility and commitment to the two-way game make him a valuable asset. While not possessing elite top-end speed, he is able to maintain a high level of performance while being challenged for the puck. His vision and ability to make plays are evident in his decision-making on the ice.
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Comments: Reschny is an outstanding player with a high-end skill set that shines over 200 feet, showcased by his impressive hockey IQ and situational awareness. With 66 assists in 68 games, ranking him sixth overall in the WHL, he demonstrates exceptional playmaking ability, consistently finding teammates in advantageous positions. Despite not being the biggest player on the ice, he is sound in defensive zone coverage, utilizing effective body positioning to mitigate threats. His skating is very good, displaying good speed and agility, although not possessing elite top end speed. Particularly when carrying the puck, he is able to maintain pace and combining this with his excellent puck skills he can be dangerous on the attack. He demonstrated this tonight, while on the power play he went end end beating a defenseman one on one with a slick move, and then the goalie with a nice finish. He also showcased his scoring touch on a semi two-on-one with a quick-release toe drag wrister for two goals on the night. Leading all Royals forwards with over 20 minutes of ice time and taking a pivotal role on both the top power play and penalty-killing units, Reschny also stands out in the faceoff circle, winning 56% of his draws over the course of the season, further underscoring his all-around impact on the game.
Keaton Verhoeff (D, R, 6’4″, 207, Victoria Royals, 06/19/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Verhoeff showcases a polished skill set, displaying veteran-level proficiency at both ends of the rink. He excels in puck retrievals, making smart decisions to effectively stifle opposing offenses. His strong outlet passing facilitates quick transitions, while his physicality and finesse on defense allow him to disrupt plays and defend against attackers. In the offensive zone, Verhoeff’s mobility and vision make him a significant threat, adeptly orchestrating plays and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
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Comments: Verhoeff is an impressive 6-foot-3 right-shooting defenseman eligible for the 2026 NHL draft, showcasing all the attributes of a future top-pairing NHL blueliner. His high energy and outstanding work ethic along with exceptional skating ability make him a highly mobile presence on the ice, while his high hockey IQ allows him to excel in both defensive and offensive situations. Defensively, he is relentless in his efforts, effectively utilizing his body and stick to disrupt opponents, while also demonstrating a commitment to blocking shots, particularly on the penalty kill. Offensively, he has a knack for making poised, smart outlet passes and can quickly transition from defense to offense. Playing much of this game on his off side, he showed an ability to handle difficult plays at the offensive blue line where he could receive rimmed pucks seamlessly on his back hand, quickly moving it to his forehand, walking the line and creating opportunities for his team. Verhoeff led his team’s defensemen in ice time with nearly 24 minutes, further highlighting his stamina and reliability. Overall, he is a dynamic two-way defenseman who brings a blend of skill, intelligence, and physicality to the ice.
Hayden Moore (C, R, 5’11”, 175, Victoria Royals, 03/19/2006)
Game Rating
B
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Comments: Moore is by no means flashy but is a highly reliable and effective player, demonstrating strong two-way capabilities over the full 200 feet of the ice. His skating is solid, featuring decent top end speed that allows him to easily play in fast-paced games, while his sound puck skills enable him to make plays in tight situations. With a respectable offensive output of 41 points, including 26 assists, Moore has proven himself as a valuable contributor in the top six, fitting into the role of a second center. His work ethic stands out, as he consistently battles for puck possession and drives play forward. A prime example of his instincts and awareness came during tonight’s game where he showcased his ability to read the play by driving hard through the neutral zone backing off the defenceman, delaying, and cutting into a seam across the top of the circle, and firing a shot/pass that ultimately led to a goal by his linemate. Overall, Moore’s combination of skill, awareness, and tenacity makes him a strong contributor to his team.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images