Played on Oct 15, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The visiting Victoria Royals defeated the Kelowna Rockets 6–5 in a shootout. The hometown Rockets rallied from two deficits in the third period, led by Tij Iginla who scored twice, including the game-tying goal with 25 seconds left in regulation. The Royals were paced by 2009 prospect Ludovic Perreault, who scored once in regulation and delivered the shootout winner. Goaltender Ethan Eskit made 31 saves to earn the win for Victoria.
Tomas Poletin (RW, L, 6’1″, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 04/30/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Poletin is a physically imposing left winger with a strong stride and decent speed. He excels at winning battles for loose pucks and creating chaos in the blue paint. His most notable skill is his accurate shot, which allows him to contribute as an effective secondary scorer. Poletin’s tenacity on puck races and pursuit of loose pucks makes him a reliable option in front of the net.
1 Viewing
Comments: Poletin (2007) is a 6’1′, 205 lb left wing who projects as a power forward with a seemingly clear understanding of his keys to success; he skates pretty well with strong balance and edges, uses his size and strength effectively though his top-end speed is good but not elite, and consistently leans on a physical, hard-to-play-against style. He shows a powerful, quick-release shot and finishes around the net — exemplified by a play where he attacked the net as the weak side driver, battled to the front and cashed a rebound for the Rockets second goal — and he wins stick battles, creates screens, and is consistently disruptive in the slot. In scrums he does not hesitate to be right in the middle of them. With continued refinement of his skating speed and playmaking instincts, he profiles as a physical middle-six winger who can drive offense off the net-front and on to the scoresheet.
Tij Iginla (C, L, 6’0″, 191, Kelowna Rockets, 08/01/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Tij Iginla possesses a well-rounded hockey game, with exceptional skating abilities and puck skills. He’s a formidable force on offense, using his speed and agility to overwhelm defensemen. Iginla has a strong release on his passes, allowing him to deliver accurate flat or saucer passes. His ability to create space and time allows him to effectively attack the defensemen’s triangle or cut hard to the middle. He also excels at puck protection, using his skating base and maneuverability to stay in front of opponents while looking for open teammates to pass to. However, there is room for improvement in identifying openings on the backcheck and maintaining defensive discipline when entering the zone.
1 Viewing
Comments: Iginla (6’0′, 190 lbs; Utah draft pick) is a multidimensional offensive threat who combines powerful skating, strength in battles, strong board play and pro-level shot release; he consistently wins puck battles (67% on the night), drives the net (scored off a wall battle then powered his way across the crease for a far side finish) and scored with a heavy, accurate release driving through the slot to tie the game with 25 seconds remaining, finishing with two goals and heavy usage—key minutes on the top power play and over 28 minutes total ice time. He has very good hands and can finesse way around a defender or as mentioned, power his way through. His puck protection and ability to create high-danger chances five-on-five and on special teams stand out, though his faceoff work (44%) is an area to refine to round out his game for more consistent deployment in defensive-zone draws.
Kayden Longley (LW, L, 6’2″, 182, Kelowna Rockets, 01/09/2006)
Game Rating
B
Longley’s strong skillset makes him a reliable two-way pivot. He displays efficient mobility, allowing him to cover defensive areas effectively and support transition play. His competitiveness and ability to angle opponents well make him a force on the ice, particularly when going to the netfront. On the power play, he has shown an effective passing game, threading timely feeds to his teammates. As a center, he has also demonstrated reliability in down-low coverage, competing hard and using good hit and pin technique.
1 Viewing
Comments: Longley is a 6’2′, 180 lb left-shot center who projects as a dependable, versatile bottom- to middle-six pivot. An average-looking skater at first glance, he moves effectively with a deceptively good burst of speed and consistently covers ice well, and with work on skating mechanics he would be even more effective. His development curve continues to trend upward and he delivers steady, reliable play shift after shift. He can be used up and down the lineup and is trusted in all situations — five-on-five, both special teams — with particular value on the penalty kill where he’s very good. His battle and faceoff metrics are acceptable but room for improvement remains: a 43% success rate on battles and a 44% faceoff win rate for the season suggest gains are possible through refined technique and strength work. Overall, dependable two-way center with special-teams upside.
Hayden Paupanekis (C, R, 6’5″, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 02/04/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Hayden Paupanekis is a 6’4″ centerman with a strong work ethic that allows him to outwork opponents on the ice. He excels in the offensive zone, using his speed and agility to create scoring opportunities and his quick release to shoot at the net. While he shows promise in his two-way game, there are areas for improvement, particularly in defensive positioning and decision-making. Paupanekis’s size, skill, and determination make him a valuable asset on both ends of the ice. He is a strong faceoff man and plays key roles on power play and penalty kill units. With continued development, he has the potential to become a well-rounded player with significant upside.
1 Viewing
Comments: Paupanekis is a 6’5′, 205 lb right-shot center and a Montreal draft pick who was playing in his first game back from an extended illness — improved as the contest went on and eventually displaying the type of impact player he can be. He brings relentless work ethic and compete level, plays hard, finishes checks and is physical on the forecheck, consistently creating pressure and turnovers. Offensively he pairs very good hands with deceptive playmaking and very good top-end speed, making him a real threat driving the attack and beating defenders one-on-one. The next step for his development is continued attention to skating mechanics to maximize his stride and edgework, but the size, compete and skill combination project very well at higher levels.
Rowan Guest (D, L, 6’4″, 211, Kelowna Rockets, 01/31/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Guest, a 2006, 6’4′, 210 lb left-shot defenseman, has developed into a steady, dependable presence on the Rockets’ back end — logging 20+ minutes and serving as a key penalty-kill piece in this game. He isn’t flashy but consistently gets the job done: his long reach and timing allow him to get up tight in the neutral zone to cut off attacks early, and he defends with sound position and controlled physicality. He is not a heavy banger type of defenseman, but is quite willing to finish checks and get involved. A good skater with clean puck skills, Guest makes reliable outlet passes to jumpstart the rush and shows the composure and two-way instincts to be a minutes-eating, situational defense prospect if his steady play and overall skills continue to evolve.
Henry Peterson (D, R, 6’3″, 203, Victoria Royals, 05/25/2007, St. Thomas)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Peterson (2007) is a 6’3′, right-shot defenseman committed to St. Thomas University, who projects as a defensive defender capable of logging quality minutes; he skates well for his size, combining mobility with a willingness to play physically on the walls and net front on the down low coverage. He shows sound hit and pin technique, and consistently uses strong body positioning and an active stick to limit the attack and shut down danger at the blue line. In the game he played just over 14 minutes and posted reasonable battle numbers with a 50% success rate. He showed an ability when retrieving pucks to absorb contact and make a play. He also showed positional versatility by handling the left side effectively when required. Overall, a reliable, hard-working shutdown presence who can be trusted in defensive minutes.
Timofei Runtso (D, R, 6’2″, 187, Victoria Royals, 07/06/2007, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Runtso is a right-shot 2007-born defenseman (6’2′), committed to Miami of Ohio University, who was excellent on this night, logging nearly 29 minutes and serving as a key contributor on the top power play while also killing penalties effectively. Mobile with excellent top-end speed, he confidently moves with the puck across the offensive blue line with his head up, routinely finding open teammates or getting quick wrist shots through to the net; his strong puck skills and poise make him an efficient puck-mover. Defensively he mixes an element of physicality with a good stick, and he showed playmaking impact with three assists in the game (two on the power play). He won 43% of his battles in the game (56% for the season) and was particularly impressive in overtime, controlling play with his speed, composure, and ability to generate quality scoring chances.
Odin Vauhkonen (D, L, 6’1″, 192, Victoria Royals, 09/16/2008, Harvard)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Vauhkonen (left shot) — 6’2′, Harvard commit, 2027 draft-eligible — projects as a high-upside left-side defender who has earned growing trust from coaches, as his minutes have increased a lot over the last several games to where they were 28+ in this game and got regular duty on the second power-play unit and penalty kill; his skating is currently average but effective gets around the ice and should improve with mechanical work, while his puck skills and vision are above average, making him a reliable puck-mover who sees seams, moves laterally well at the offensive blue line to open shooting lanes and gets off a quick wrist shot, resulting in shots getting through the majority of the time. He will need to get stronger — he was muscled off the puck on a down low-coverage play that led to a goal — but overall looks like a developing two-way blueliner with upside.
Ludovic Perreault (LW, L, 5’7″, 167, Victoria Royals, 03/20/2009)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Perreault is a feisty 5’7′ 2009 left winger who stood out in this game thanks to high end compete level and tenacious puck pursuit; he proved he can win board and stick battles — highlighted by a goal where he stripped a defender, took the puck to the net and buried a quick, top-shelf wrister. His very good skating, that is strong and sturdy, with top-end speed creates problems for defenders forcing them many times to back off while showing a strong willingness to attack the net. He will also compete hard around the paint as he helped create traffic resulting in the Royals’ third goal. Reliable shift to shift, he handles the bumper role on the Royals’ top power play with good spatial awareness and playmaking touch, and logged 12+ minutes in this game while providing significant competitive impact.
Cohen Massey (D, L, 5’11”, 168, Victoria Royals, 06/08/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Massey (left shot, 5’11’) is the Royals’ key defensive defender who reliably delivers sound, impact shifts — logging 25+ minutes in this game and a team-leading five minutes on the penalty kill. Despite average size he plays with competitiveness and physicality, winning hard net-front battles and not hesitating to engage, as shown with a 71% battle win rate on this night. His strengths are mobility and puck skill: he moves laterally across the offensive blue line, retrieves pucks quickly, prescans on retrievals and exits the zone with poise, and his quick release and accurate outlets create offense (including the feed/release that led to the Royals’ third goal). With that, uncharacteristically on one Rocket’s attack he did make a poor read as he got inside the dots in the neutral zone resulting in a two on one and a goal. Overall he’s an efficient, smart defender who anchors the PK and consistently helps his team transition out of danger. He has the skill set to be a very successful university player.
Nolan Stewart (LW, L, 5’10”, 168, Victoria Royals, 01/12/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Stewart (2008), a 5’10’ left wing, is a hard-working forward who consistently battles along the boards and goes to the net — he shows willingness to finish checks and be persistent on the forecheck, which yielded a goal in this game when he potted one on a seeing eye screen shot. He has reliable hands and playmaking ability, earning time on the second power-play unit and minutes on the penalty kill, and he logged over 19 minutes of ice time. While he won just 43% of his battles in this outing, that figure should rise as he gains strength and confidence; continued physical development and slight improvements in poise with puck possession would make him an even more impactful two-way depth forward.
Heath Nelson (LW, L, 6’1″, 177, Victoria Royals, 03/22/2006, Augustana)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Nelson (6’1′, leftshot committed to Augustana University) is a hard-working, deceptive left winger with good top-end speed and quick hands; he handles the puck well and shows strong on-ice awareness, evidenced by his role on the Royals’ top power-play unit and scoring a nice wrist-shot goal on the man advantage. He logged nearly 22 minutes of ice time and provides quality minutes five on five, in all special-team situations, contributing on both the top power play and the penalty kill. Skating is good though not elite, and his board play/battling is a clear area for improvement — 38% success in battles in this game (43% on the season). Overall a reliable two-way forward with sneaky offensive upside and value in key minutes.
Roan Woodward (LW, L, 5’10”, 178, Victoria Royals, 09/03/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Woodward (2005), 5’10’ left wing — Logged nearly 19 minutes of ice time in this game and showed his offensive upside with good top-end speed and sneaky playmaking ability on the power play, able to find soft spots and create chances; however, he was not very good on the physical side, posting a dismal 6% battle win rate in this game and sitting around a 35% rate on the season. He competes but gets knocked off the puck too easily and is inconsistent getting to the net front to finish plays; to progress he needs to elevate his overall compete to win more board battles, and translate his power-play instincts into more consistent even-strength attacking presence while shoring up his defensive awareness.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images