Rockets Lead WHL with Eight Alumni in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Kelowna Rockets will once again be well represented on hockey’s biggest stage.
Eight Rockets alumni are competing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the highest total among WHL clubs and tied for the second-most among all CHL teams.
That group includes Leon Draisaitl, Jamie Benn, Colton Dach, Kaedan Korczak, Colton Sissons, Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn, and Lassi Thomson.
From league MVPs and team captains to rising contributors and Stanley Cup champions, Rockets alumni continue to leave their mark across the National Hockey League.
Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers (Kelowna 2014-15)
Leon Draisaitl is set to appear in his eighth career Stanley Cup Playoff run, all with the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are aiming for another deep push after back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final. Draisaitl had another dominant season, recording 35 goals and 62 assists for 97 points in just 65 games. He has not played since March 15 due to a knee injury and is considered a game-time decision for Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night. A proven playoff performer, Draisaitl has totaled 52 goals and 89 assists for 141 points in 96 career postseason games, with his 1.47 points-per-game ranking second among active players (minimum 20 games). The last time the Oilers played the Ducks in the postseason (in 2017) Draisaitl tallied 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 7 games.
Colton Dach – Edmonton Oilers (Kelowna 2021-23)
Colton Dach is preparing for his first NHL Stanley Cup Playoff appearance. The former Rocket is looking to contribute to another deep run for the Oilers. Originally drafted by Chicago, Dach spent parts of two seasons with the Blackhawks before being traded to Edmonton alongside Jason Dickinson on March 5, 2026, in exchange for Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. Dach recorded 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 61 games this season and will join fellow Rockets alumnus Draisaitl as the Oilers take on the Ducks in the opening round.
Jamie Benn – Dallas Stars (Kelowna 2007-09)
Jamie Benn is skating in his ninth Stanley Cup Playoff run, all as captain of the Dallas Stars. He is looking to lead the franchise to its first Stanley Cup since 1999. Benn, a veteran of 121 playoff games, ranks fourth among active NHL players in playoff games played without a Stanley Cup. Over his postseason career, he has recorded 28 goals and 52 assists for 80 points. Benn posted 36 points (15G, 21A) in 60 regular-season games.
Tyler Myers – Dallas Stars (Kelowna 2006-09)
The Dallas Stars acquired Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks at the trade deadline, reuniting him with former Rockets teammate Jamie Benn. The two last played together on the 2009 Kelowna Rockets team that won the WHL championship and advanced to the Memorial Cup. Myers is now in his eighth playoff run, recording 16 points (7G, 9A) in 62 career postseason games. Myers had 11 points (1G, 10A) in 73 regular-season games.
Kaedan Korczak – Vegas Golden Knights (Kelowna 2017-21)
Drafted in the second round in 2019, Korczak is appearing in his second career playoff run. With limited postseason experience to date, he is expected to play a larger role on Vegas’ blue line this spring. Korczak suited up in 78 games this season, tallying 16 points (3G, 13A).
Colton Sissons – Vegas Golden Knights (Kelowna 2010-13)
Sissons posted 11 points (6G, 5A) in 66 regular-season games and brings significant playoff experience, appearing in 72 career postseason games with 27 points (11G, 16A). Now in his ninth playoff run, Sissons is no stranger to deep postseason success, having helped the Nashville Predators reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2017.
Luke Schenn – Buffalo Sabres (Kelowna 2005-08)
Acquired from the Winnipeg Jets at the trade deadline, Schenn has appeared in four games with Buffalo so far. He recorded 7 points (1G, 6A) in 50 regular-season games and provides a physical presence on the blue line. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with Tampa Bay (2021, 2022), Schenn has played in 58 career playoff games.
Lassi Thomson – Ottawa Senators (Kelowna 2018-19)
Lassi Thomson split the season between the Ottawa Senators and their AHL affiliate in Belleville, recording three assists in 11 NHL games. Thomson has yet to make his Stanley Cup Playoff debut but could factor into the lineup during Ottawa’s first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes following injuries in Game 1. The former first-round pick is looking to help the Senators win their first playoff series since 2017.
