Varga soaring high ahead of return to Kelowna
By DANNY RODE – Kalder Varga had an idea he would be on the move some time this season, but where was another matter all together.
It ended up the 17-year-old was traded from the Kelowna Rockets to the Red Deer Rebels, and that’s just fine with him.
“I had kind of a feeling I would be traded, but not sure where I’d be going to. It was out of my control but when I heard it happened I was really excited and really pumped to be going here,” he said.
The fact he was leaving the Rockets, who will be hosting the Memorial Cup, to a team struggling to make the playoffs could haven been depressing, but he didn’t look at it that way.
“This is a good team with a lot of young players,” he said. “There’s tons of opportunity and we’re going to be a big improvement in the following years. But even this year we can make an impact and get into the playoffs and upset a few teams.
Varga made an immediate impact and gained the respect of the Red Deer fans in his first game, scoring a spectacular goal during a 5-3 win over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds.
“That was a great feeling,” he added. “There was a lot of emotion coming here and to get that goal was exciting for me and my family and the people who care about me.”
Varga has five goals and five assists in 10 games with the Rebels after accumulating 11 points in 34 games with the Rockets.
“I’ve been able to produce fairly well and I’m still finding my game and trying to improve it. I’m working with the coaches and the team to improve and try to get a few more wins.”
Kalder feels he has picked up his offence since arriving in Red Deer.
“When I was in Kelowna there wasn’t much opportunity for me,” he said. “Coming here I’m getting the ice time. Getting the minutes given by the coaches definitely helped me in my game. I believe I’m a good player and can make a difference. I’ve never lost that confidence when I was in Kelowna and coming here I was able to show that.”
Varga sees himself as someone who plays with energy.
“I like to skate, be hard on the puck and create something out of nothing.”
Varga grew up in Geneva, Illinois, in a hockey family.
His grandfather was the equipment manager for the Chicago Blackhawks from 1969 to 2000. His dad played with the Tacoma Rockets before they moved to Kelowna and later played six years of professional hockey, mainly in the ECHL.
His brother, Kaden, 23, played in the NAHL and spent three years playing professionally in Hungary.
“Once dad was done his professional career he coached me until I was 13,” Kalder explained. “I grew up around the rink, me and my brother, and I love hockey and I lived it all my life.”
He played minor hockey with the prestigious Chicago Mission program and helped them win the National 15U Tier I championship.
“That’s one of the most elite programs in the States. We had six guys move on to junior when I was 16. I loved it there The room was tight and to this day the guys are my brothers.”
He also played for Team USA at the 2025-26 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning gold.
He was drafted in the first round, seventh overall, by Kelowna in the 2023 US Prospects Draft, much to his delight.
“I love it up here,” he said. “Everyone back home is in love with football and baseball and here everyone loves hockey. This is my environment.”
Varga is slated to join the University of Denver, but he’s not saying when.
“I think I’ll stay where my feet are at the moment,” he said. “I have no plan on when I’m going there and when I’m not. I have two feet in the sand.”
In the meantime, there’s a good chance he’ll have his name called at the 2026 NHL Draft. He’s currently ranked 164th among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, but his play since joining the Rebels could go a long way toward him rocketing up the charts.
He also wants to be part of a championship team in Red Deer.
“We want to push for a playoff spot. We’re young but I feel we can.”
Varga returns to his former hockey home as the Rebels take on the Kelowna Rockets Tuesday night at 8 p.m. MT at Prospera Place (Catch the game live on Victory+ and 106.7 REWIND Radio).
