Played on Feb 27, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: The feisty Wenatchee Wild jumped out to a 1-0 lead off of a power-play goal by Caelan Joudrey, but that was it for them as the Kelowna Rockets prevailed with a 5-1 decision. Captain Carson Wetsch led the way with two goals while Mazden Leslie, Nate Corbet and Connor Pankratz chipped in with singles for the Rockets. Harrison Boettiger made 25 saves to get the win in goal.
Keith McInnis (D, L, 6’1″, 197, Kelowna Rockets, 01/08/2006, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Rating
B+
McInnis is a versatile and dependable defender who consistently impacts games across all phases. He combines excellent mobility, physicality, and defensive instincts with confident puck skills and effective puck-moving ability, making him a valuable asset on both the power play and penalty kill. McInnis’s strong hands and vision enable him to make timely plays in transition, while his willingness to play physically and push back in scrums adds an edge to his game. He is a reliable contributor who consistently delivers true 200-foot value.
1 Viewing
Comments: McInnis is a dependable top-four defenseman for the Rockets who brings a high-end, well-rounded skill set and the ability to log heavy minutes in all situations; he skates very well with excellent speed and puck-transport ability, reads the ice well with effective pre-scanning that produces consistent, smart outlet plays, and plays a calm, steady game on retrievals. He features a bite and physical edge-aggressive in puck battles while using smart body positioning and refined stick skills (winning 55% of battles)-and contributes on special teams as a mainstay of the top penalty kill and a very capable option on the second power play. In this game he played just under 20 minutes (about three minutes below his season average) but still displayed the two-way instincts and situational versatility that make him a key piece on the back end.
Mazden Leslie (D, R, 6’0″, 189, Kelowna Rockets, 04/15/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Mazden Leslie is a reliable two-way defenseman with an impressive skill set, exceling at both ends of the ice. He possesses good skating speed and agility, allowing him to navigate the ice effectively and create scoring opportunities. His puck skills are excellent, showcasing his ability to pre-scan the ice, find seams, and make plays that jump-start attacks. Leslie consistently seeks offense, providing a strong secondary layer in the offensive zone, and is equally responsible defensively, winning a high percentage of battles and contributing reliably on special teams. Leslie’s game profile as an offensively driven blueliner makes him valuable for his team. He demonstrates good edgework, agility, and mobility, allowing him to effectively jump into the attack and create scoring chances. His physicality has improved, making him a force in front of his net, and he is trusted on both power play and penalty kill.
1 Viewing
Comments: Leslie is an offensive catalyst with very good skating, top-end speed and the willingness to lead the attack or jump into the play; he consistently a threat in the offensive zone and showed that on the power play when he dove down off the blue line to deliver a perfect backhand pass to the pop out centre Iginla who fired one-timer and rebound goal for Wetsch. He also scored on a quick wrister after a smart rotation off the wall, demonstrating good timing, poise and patience with the puck, beating a defender in the slot, then firing a wrister that cleanly beat the goaltender. He also has plenty of bite and physicality to his game, as he consistently finishes checks hard. Defensively he is generally sound, but at times lacks urgency and recognition in the defensive zone – an area to tighten up if he wants to be trusted in all game situations.
Carson Wetsch (RW, R, 6’1″, 201, Kelowna Rockets, 05/04/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Carson Wetsch is a reliable captain who consistently brings effort and dedication to every shift. He excels at finding teammates with quality assists, often creating chances through his on-ice awareness and vision. Wetsch’s physical presence in the net creates chaos for defenders, but he has had an inconsistent season in terms of scoring. He displays strong hockey IQ, playmaking ability, and a gritty edge, making him a valuable asset to the team. His strong skating, puck-handling, and top-end speed allow him to drive the attack or complement teammates. While his finishing touch has been inconsistent, Wetsch’s compete level, leadership, and net-front presence make him a dependable player. Wetsch’s skillset is multifaceted, with the ability to activate on the attack, compete around the crease, and wear down opponents through board work. He consistently logs significant minutes, making him a reliable contributor to the team’s success.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wetsch continues to deliver the same…reliable, hard-working, physical game for the Rockets every night. In this outing he finished with two goals, both scored within two feet of the crease, the first on the power play where he won body position on an incoming point shot and buried the rebound, the second by retrieving a loose puck behind the goal line, quickly moving it above the line and stuffing it into the back of the net. He’s at his best grinding in the offensive zone, consistently outworking opponents, cutting hard to the net and challenging defensemen on the attack. Plays an honest, no-nonsense game, logged just over 20 minutes (slightly below his season average) and remains a trustworthy presence in all key areas around the net.
Nate Corbet (D, L, 6’2″, 188, Kelowna Rockets, 03/15/2006)
Game Rating
B
Corbet is a high-energy defenseman who consistently delivers a reliable performance, bringing a physical edge to the game in all zones. He excels at transporting the puck out of trouble and making effective outlet passes to jumpstart transitions. His puck skills are solid, and he’s an effective penalty killer with a willingness to block shots. Corbet is a steady presence on the blue line, moving station-to-station effectively and recovering quickly. His physical element and willingness to defend teammates make him a valuable contributor to the team’s structure. He’s also vocal in his praise for teammates who make difficult plays, demonstrating a strong sense of camaraderie within the group. While not the smoothest skater, Corbet shows good top-end speed and quickness, making him a capable puck handler.
1 Viewing
Comments: Corbet is a reliable physical presence who on this night was rewarded offensively – showing strong awareness and added depth on the attack, firing a beautiful wrister over the goalie’s glove for a goal. He brings energetic, consistent effort and physicality every shift, is a noticeable force in front of his own net where he pushes back and will do whatever it takes to protect teammates, and serves as a vocal bench presence when teammates make the hard plays. He displays a sound overall skill set: a capable puck retriever and effective puck mover who makes a reliable first pass. He logged only about 10:00 of ice time in this game, well below his season average of roughly 16:00.
Boston Tait (D, L, 6’1″, 182, Wenatchee Wild, 04/13/2009)
Game Rating
B+
Tait is a dependable defender who consistently makes effective plays with the puck, displaying strong puck skills and poise under pressure. He effectively competes for position on both the walls and in the corners, using his size and skating ability to his advantage. On the penalty kill, he reads plays well and willingly steps in to block shots. Tait’s overall game is mature and sound, but there is room for improvement in maintaining puck-battle success rates.
1 Viewing
Comments: Tait (2009) is an engaged, mobile defender who consistently eats quality minutes for the Wild across all three zones. In this game he logged just over 17 minutes (about four minutes below his season average), and while his individual battle totals were a bit light in this contest, his season win rate on battles sits just above 50%. A very good skater with strong mobility, he defends the rush effectively and competes hard in the defensive zone – protecting the net front, and showing the willingness to push back physically…engaging in a spirited battle with one of the Rocket’s tougher players. He displays sound puck-handling and his primary objective is to move pucks and make a clean first pass, though he’ll jump into the attack when the opportunity arises. Reliable on the top penalty-killing unit, Tait also possesses the skill set to be a power-play option.
Daniel Vaillant (D, R, 6’0″, 186, Wenatchee Wild, 02/10/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Valliant is a quietly reliable young defenseman for the Wild whose value lies in steady, consistent play rather than flash; averaging just over 16 minutes a night (primarily five-on-five with some penalty-kill deployments), he defends with sound positioning and an active stick rather than overt physicality, though he will use his body along the walls effectively. He displays confidence on the ice as he directed traffic in several defensive situations, closes gaps in the neutral zone to take away time and space, and displays strong awareness on puck retrievals – able to recover quickly and execute smart, simple outlets (e.g., notable quick backhand bump pass up the wall through traffic). Overall he projects as a dependable, low-risk top-four or reliable second-pair piece who stabilizes the backend with consistent, effective play.
Riley Bassen (C, R, 5’11”, 166, Wenatchee Wild, 04/26/2005, Merrimack)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Bassen is a dependable 200-foot centre for the Wild who can eat key minutes thanks to a strong, compact skating stride and good top-end speed; he’s aggressive on the forecheck, willing to initiate contact, and commits to hard backchecks. Defensively he’s very sound on the defensive zone coverage-maintaining body position in battles and showing clear awareness on rotations-while in the offensive zone he reads play well, understands open ice to relieve pressure (wheeled puck around boards to weak side D) and jumps into seams effectively to create chances. He’s calm with the puck and makes safe, intelligent plays, displaying an overall sound skill set (including reliable puck skills) which are on display on the second power-play unit. His battle win rate sits just under 50% this season, and his hockey IQ is a clear asset.
Mathias Silaban (F, L, 6’1″, 194, Wenatchee Wild, 06/21/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Silaban projects as a hard-nosed, high-effort power forward with upside in that role – in this game he logged 15 minutes in a balanced forward groups ice time allotment and consistently brought physicality, willingly initiating contact and standing his ground in scrums all over the ice; his compete level and work ethic are his calling cards, delivered reliably shift after shift. Skating is average overall but he shows quick feet and a respectable top-end burst, although his stride mechanics need refinement to maximize mobility. He recovered pucks and drove the net and has won a respectable 47% of his battles on the season, indicating room to improved battle technique; with continued skating work and an emphasis on board play puck recoveries, he should develop into a dependable power forward.
Alexandre Andre (C, L, 5’9″, 174, Wenatchee Wild, 05/18/2008)
Game Rating
B
Andre’s playing style is characterized by his strong work ethic and commitment to being a well-rounded two-way player. He possesses a balanced stride and decent top-end speed, allowing him to contribute on both offense and defense. While he excels at backchecking and being sound in his own end, his defensive game is where he shows the most promise. With advanced awareness for his age, Andre competes aggressively and effectively pins opponents along the boards. In faceoff situations, he has shown a moderate level of success, with a 50% win rate. His ability to retrieve pucks and motor through games make him an effective pivot in all three zones. Additionally, his competitiveness and puck-retrieval skills hint at upside as a penalty killing specialist on the defensive side.
1 Viewing
Comments: Andre plays bigger than his 5’9′ frame, bringing relentless compete, energy and physicality every shift – especially on the forecheck where he jumps in quickly, finishes on the body and consistently battles for puck possession (winning roughly 50% of his puck battles). In about 10 minutes a night (season average) he provides energetic, disruptive minutes; his skating is average overall, with mechanics needing refinement, but shows good top-end speed and tight-space maneuverability that make him highly effective on the second penalty-killing unit and in short, high-intensity roles. He projects best as a depth forward who drives energy, penalty kill minutes and board play rather than as a primary offensive catalyst.
Darian Rolsing (D, R, 6’5″, 186, Wenatchee Wild, 02/14/2008)
Game Rating
B
Rolsing displays a mix of strengths and areas for improvement in his skills. As a right-shot defenseman, they possess a strong ability to skate and maintain possession of the puck, even under pressure. Their technique can be refined, but they show promise in making quick decisions and carrying the puck calmly. On defense, they utilize their stick effectively to disrupt plays on both offense and defense. They also employ physical play in coverage, delivering solid hits and pins. However, there are moments where they struggle with angles, such as when a player cuts in below the hashmarks, leaving them vulnerable to being beaten by a puck carrier.
1 Viewing
Comments: Rolsing, a 6’5′ right-shot defenseman, provides steady, reliable defensive minutes for the Wild – logging nearly 18 minutes in this game (about a minute below his season average) – and wins roughly 55% of his battles. He very good defending down low in his zone, showing strong wall play with effective hit-and-pin techniques and using his size, good body position and long reach to cut attackers off and make the little, smart plays needed to exit danger. Most effective in tight spaces, he uses his wingspan to stifle one-on-one attacks and pre-box opponents out from net-front lanes, and while his skating is average it’s fully capable for his role. A reliable puck-mover with competent puck skills and good awareness on retrievals, he isn’t an overly physical hitter but leverages his body well; a key contributor on the top penalty kill, his offensive upside remains somewhat limited.
Caelan Joudrey (C, R, 6’4″, 181, Wenatchee Wild, 01/17/2008, Quinnipiac)
Game Rating
B
Caelan Joudrey is a physically imposing center with a well-rounded skill set. He excels in tight areas, utilizing his size and down-low coverage to create strong defensive presence. His ability to handle the puck in traffic and make plays in confined spaces is notable. While he shows quickness in tight spaces, his overall top-end speed and separation creation skills are still developing. A key area for improvement lies in faceoffs, where he currently struggles. Joudrey’s strengths lie in his physical play, hockey IQ, and puck handling skills. He competes hard on the boards and demonstrates a high level of awareness, often making smart decisions that lead to scoring opportunities. His net-front instincts are also evident, as seen in his ability to score rebound goals and create chaos for opponents.
1 Viewing
Comments: Joudrey is a big-bodied right winger who shows flashes of playing with pace and strong skating – using his speed to get in on the forecheck and engage physically – but he must deliver that impact more consistently. He logged nearly 16 minutes in this game, matching his season average, and tends to be most effective when skating in straight lines and working around the net in the offensive zone; on the power play he showed good hands… standing on the edge of the crease, on the goal line, basically blocked the point shot, then knocked the puck into the net out of the air for a goal. His battle success rate sits around 50% for the season but has has been inconsistent over the last few games, while his defensive game remains a work in progress as he needs to execute the stop-and-start responsibilities more reliably. With his size, skating and net-front comfort, he has definite upside if he tightens up consistency across all phases.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images