How the 2020-21 Rockets were built
When the Kelowna Rockets return to the ice for the first time in just over a year, the Rockets will have a different and younger-looking team.
Today we’ll take a look at the roster and how it was built.
Thirteen of the twenty-five roster players this season will be familiar to Rockets fans as they’re returning from last season.
The Rockets said goodbye to Nolan Foote, Matthew Wedman and Kyle Topping who are all playing pro hockey in North America. With the trio gone, the Rockets will be looking for their veteran forwards like Alex Swetlikoff, Dillon Hamaliuk and Mark Liwiski to take the next step.
Dallon Wilton, Michael Farren, Liam Kindree and Jonas Peterek were all released.
Six of the Rockets thirteen forwards this season will be rookies.
On defence, Kelowna released Devin Steffler and Conner McDonald aged out.
With five returning defencemen, the Rockets backend will be strong with Kaedan Korczak leading the charge.
A pair of familiar faces will be in net, both Roman Basran and Cole Schwebius return for their 19-year-old campaigns.
The Rockets will also be carrying a pair of affiliate players, you can read more about the duo at the bottom of the list.
Forwards:
| Returning Forwards | Departed Forwards | New Forwards |
| Trevor Wong | Dallon Wilton | Turner McMillen |
| Mark Liwiski | Michael Farren | Steel Quiring |
| Alex Swetlikoff | Matthew Wedman | Rilen Kovacevic |
| Ethan Ernst | Kyle Topping | Scott Cousins |
| Dillon Hamaliuk | Liam Kindree | David Kope |
| Jake Poole | Jonas Peterk | Nolan Flamand |
| Nolan Foote | Dylan Wightman |
Trevor Wong |
F |
5’9 |
155 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 58 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 31 | 2018 Draft | Vancouver, BC |
The Rockets 18th overall selection in the 2018 WHL Draft had a successful rookie campaign as the youngest player on the roster last season. In the final ten games of the 2019-20 season, Wong put up five points (2G, 3A).
Self-described as a learning experience, Wong said in an interview in May 2020 that he was looking forward to growing this season.
The Vancouver, BC product is considered a top prospect for the 2o21 NHL Draft, after being left off of the NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch List look for Wong to build on his 14 points from last season.
READ MORE: Trevor Wong: Getting Acclimated
Mark Liwiski |
F |
6’1 |
193 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2001 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 55 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 93 | Trade (2018) | Dauphin, MB |
Acquired from the Everett Silvertips in the summer of 2018, Liwiski is heading into his third season with the Rockets.
Despite playing five games less than the season before, Liwiski’s shots on goal spiked by 22 with 94 attempts on net during the 2019-20 season.
Look for Lewy to back up his younger teammates as the BC Division rivalries get heated.
READ MORE: Mark Liwiski: Playing with an edge
Turner McMillen |
F |
5’10 |
155 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Prince Albert Mintos (SMAAHL) | 44 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 48 | 2018 Draft | Carievale, SK |
The son of former Tacoma Rockets captain, Dave McMillen, Turner became the first second-generation Rocket after being called up to the Rockets last season. He appeared in a pair of regular-season games with the Rockets as a 16-year-old affiliate player, his first WHL game was on January 31, 2020, against the Spokane Chiefs.
Last year with the Mintos, McMillen was named the team’s Playoff MVP after posting three points (2G, 1A) in three games.
This year, McMillen started the season by being named the captain of the Estevan Bears (SMAAHL) before their season was cancelled.
READ MORE: Prospect Profile Turner McMillen
Steel Quiring |
F |
6’2 |
188 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Okanagan Rockets (BC U18) | 25 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 63 | 2018 Draft | Vernon, BC |
During the 2018-19 season, Quiring represented Team British Columbia at the Canada Winter Games and appeared in three regular-season games for the Kelowna Rockets as a 15-year-old.
He played in 12 games with the Kelowna Rockets as an affiliate player last season. Despite being injured and being called up to the WHL on a handful of occasions the 6’2, 188-pound forward posted 45 points (21G, 24A) in 25 games for the Okanagan Rockets.
Rilen Kovacevic |
F |
5’11 |
170 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2004 | Okanagan Rockets (BC U18) | 33 | 12 | 19 | 31 | 58 | 2019 Draft | Kelowna, BC |
Selected in the tenth round, the local product was the final pick of the Rockets in the 2019 WHL Draft.
Kovacevic had a busy 2019-20 season, playing the max five games with the Kelowna Rockets as an affiliate 15-year-old, representing Team British Columbia at the 2019 WHL Cup and having a strong season with the U18 Okanagan Rockets.
Scott Cousins |
F |
5’11 |
170 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2004 | Cariboo Cougars (BC U16) | 28 | 28 | 29 | 57 | 24 | Listed | Prince Geroge, BC |
Cousins joins the Rockets as a 16-year-old after an incredibly successful 2019-20 season with the Cariboo Cougars (BC U16).
After going undrafted in the 2019 WHL Draft, the Rockets listed Cousins in the fall of 2020 after he exploded out of the gate scoring at a rapid pace. By the end of the season, his 57 points (28G, 29A) in 29 games left him tied for third in league scoring and 14 points ahead of his next closest teammate.
He was rewarded for his efforts with a spot on the BC U16AAA All-Star team, named the BC U16 Player of the Year, and a contract with the Rockets.
READ MORE: Scott Cousins went from undrafted to Player of the Year
Alex Swetlikoff |
C |
6’3 |
188 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2001 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 63 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 47 | Trade (2018) | Kelowna, BC |
Swetlikoff is heading into his third season with the Rockets.
After the departures of Kyle Topping and Liam Kindree, the big centreman will be depended on heavily in the faceoff dot. He led the team in faceoff attempts last year, taking 1093 draws while going 46.9% in the dot.
David Kope |
RW |
6’4 |
170 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2000 | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) | 59 | 13 | 24 | 37 | 34 | Trade (2020) | Edmonton, AB |
Kope joins the Rockets after being acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings in the spring of 2020.
The overage forward brings size and a veteran presence, he’s 17 games shy of 200 WHL regular-season games played.
Kope was listed as a “C” rating on NHL Central Scouting’s Players to Watch list during the 2018-19 season and attended prospect camp as a free agent with the Calgary Flames during the summer of 2019.
Ethan Ernst |
C |
5’11 |
172 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2002 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 58 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 16 | Draft (2017) | Weyburn, SK |
The Rockets third-round pick from the 2017 WHL Draft is heading into his third full season with the Rockets and is looking to take another leap. After posting six points (1G, 5A) over 61 games as a 16-year-old in 2018-19, Ernst spiked to 19 points (6G, 13A) over 58 games last year.
Look for the Kamloops-Kelowna rivalry to become extra heated this season as Ernst’s younger brother, Dylan, has joined the Blazers. Don’t be surprised if you see Ernst run the goalie, Dylan is a 16-year-old goaltender.
Nolan Flamand |
F |
5’9 |
159 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2004 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 58 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 16 | Draft (2019) | Saskatoon, SK |
Projected to be a WHL first-round pick, Flamand fell to the Rockets at 27th overall—four picks into the second round.
Instead of playing U16 hockey during his draft campaign in 2018-19, he played AAA U18 with the Saskatoon Blazers. Flamand held his own playing up a level, collecting 27 points (5G, 22A) and four penalty minutes in 41 games.
Last year he nearly doubled his point total, spiking to 51 points (8G, 43A) over 43 games with the Blazers.
The speedster impressed in the three games he played with the Rockets as a 15-year-old last season.
Earlier this season he was named captain of the Saskatoon Blazers before their season was cancelled.
READ MORE: Prospect Profile: Nolan Flamand
Dillon Hamaliuk |
LW |
6’4 |
193 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2000 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 56 | 15 | 16 | 31 | 65 | Trade (2019) | Leduc, AB |
San Jose Sharks prospect Dillon Hamaliuk rejoins the Rockets for his overage campaign in the Western Hockey League.
In January, the signed Sharks prospect joined their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, for the start of their season. He did not appear in any games for the Barracuda and was returned to the Rockets after the announcement of the BC Division receiving approval.
Hamaliuk opened the 2019-20 season with a four-point performance, including the overtime winner, against the Spokane Chiefs. Prior to the Christmas break last season it was announced that Hamaliuk was suffering from mono.
In the final 15 games of the season last year, he put up 13 points (6G, 7A). Look for 6’4-193 power forward to push his numbers even higher from last season.
Jake Poole |
F |
6’2 |
197 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2002 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 59 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 17 | Draft (2017) | McAuley, MB |
Poole heads into his sophomore season with the Rockets.
As a 17-year-old rookie last season, the big forward, put up 16 points (4G, 12A). Look for a large net-front presence from the 6’2, 197-pound forward.
READ MORE: McAuley’s Jake Poole making a splash with the Rockets
Dylan Wightman |
C |
6’1 |
178 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Okanagan Rockets (BC U18) | 39 | 20 | 35 | 55 | 30 | Listed | Kelowna, BC |
Undrafted, Wightman was listed by his hometown Kelowna Rockets and signed with the team in January 2020.
He appeared in ten games with the Rockets last season as a 17-year-old, taking 20 faceoffs where he went 47.6% in the dot.
Wightman captained the U18 Okanagan Rockets in 2019-20, where he earned All-Star honours after posting 55 points (20G, 35A) over 39 games.
Defencemen:
| Returning Defencemen | Departed Defencemen | New Defencemen |
| Sean Comrie | Devin Steffler | Noah Dorey |
| Kaedan Korczak | Conner McDonald | William Irvine |
| Elias Carmichael | John Babcock | |
| Jake Lee | Jackson DeSouza | |
| Tyson Feist |
Noah Dorey |
D |
6’3 |
192 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Delta Hockey Academy (CSSHL U18) | 27 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 17 | Draft (2018) | Surrey, BC |
Dorey cracks the lineup as a 17-year-old after being one of the final cuts last season.
He made his WHL debut on January 27, 2019, against the Vancouver Giants in his lone game as a 15-year-old. Last season he played 13 games with the Rockets as a 16-year-old affiliate, often playing as a winger.
During the 2019-20 season, left-shot defenceman posted 21 points (5G, 16A) over 17 games with the U18 Delta Hockey Academy.
Sean Comrie |
D |
6’0 |
163 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2000 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 35 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 33 | Trade (2019) | Edmonton, AB |
After leaving the University of Denver to join the Rockets as a 19-year-old last year, Comrie returns to Kelowna as the lone overage defenceman.
His first year with the Rockets was cut short due to a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. The Rockets will depend on their ‘calm defenceman’ to lead the charge and provide a veteran presence.
John Babcock |
D |
6’0 |
200 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2004 | Vancouver NW Hawks (BC U18) | 38 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 38 | Draft (2019) | North Vancouver, BC |
Babcock, 16, will be the youngest defenceman on the team this season.
The Rockets fifth-round pick in the 2019 WHL Draft comes to Kelowna off a hot season where his 21 points in 38 games with the Vancouver NW Hawks (U18) earned him his team’s 2019-20 Rookie of the Year award.
He was named the Hawks co-captain in the fall before their season was cancelled.
Kaedan Korczak |
D |
6’4 |
200 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2001 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 60 | 11 | 38 | 49 | 27 | Draft (2016) | Yorkton, SK |
Korczak returns to Kelowna for what will likely be his final season in the WHL.
The Vegas Golden Knights prospect has already had a busy season. He represented Canada at the World Junior Championship, spent time on the Golden Knights taxi squad, and made his American Hockey League debut with Vegas’ affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights.
Elias Carmichael |
D |
6’3 |
191 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 59 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 25 | Draft (2018) | Langley, BC |
The Rockets lone 16-year-old defenceman from last year’s roster will be looking to build on his 10 point campaign.
Carmichael became more comfortable as the season wore on, picking up a pair of goals and an assist in the teams final nine games. He was named the Rockets Most Improved Player for last year.
Jake Lee |
D |
6’2 |
194 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2001 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 60 | 5 | 25 | 30 | 64 | Trade (2019) | Ardrossan, AB |
Lee’s points per game spiked from 36% to 50% in his first season with the Rockets after being acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Despite the year being cut short, he set career highs across the board last season.
READ MORE: Catching up with Jake Lee
Tyson Feist |
D |
6’2 |
181 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2001 | Regina Pats/Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 54 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 62 | Trade (2020) | Dawson Creek, BC |
With a younger roster, look for Feist to back up his younger teammates if a scrum breaks out.
Following a trade from the Regina Pats last year, the hard-nosed defender racked up 34 penalty minutes and eight assists in 32 games with Rockets.
Jackson DeSouza |
D |
6’4 |
187 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Okanagan Rockets (BC U18) | 36 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 36 | Draft (2017) | Erie, CO |
The lanky 6’4 defenceman was one of the final cuts from last year’s team.
DeSouza played in two regular-season games for the Kelowna Rockets as a 15-year-old affiliate during the 2018-19 season, last year he appeared four games as a 16-year-old affiliate.
William Irvine |
D |
5’9 |
178 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2003 | Pembina Valley Hawks (MU18HL) | 42 | 16 | 36 | 52 | 92 | Draft (2017) | Morden, MB |
Irvine, the Rockets sixth-round pick from the 2017 WHL Draft, cracks the Rockets roster after an offensive outburst last season.
The self-described puck-moving defenceman tore up the MU18HL with 52 points (16G, 36A) in 42 games last season.
He appeared in one preseason game for the Rockets in 2019 before being returned to the Pembina Valley Hawks.
READ MORE: William Irvine: Excited to return to British Columbia
Goaltenders:
| Returning Goalies | Departing Goaltenders | New Goaltenders |
| Roman Basran | ||
| Cole Schwebius |
Roman Basran |
G |
6’2 |
192 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | W | L | SOL/OTL | GAA | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2001 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 50 | 22 | 17 | 6 | 2.94 | Draft (2016) | Vancouver, BC |
Tasked with the starting role last season, Basran appeared in a league-high 50 games (tied with PG’s Taylor Gauthier).
READ MORE: Playing for Mom and Razor
Cole Schwebius |
G |
6’2 |
192 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | W | L | SOL/OTL | GAA | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2001 | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 21 | 7 | 11 | 0 | 3.57 | Trade (2019) | Kelowna, BC |
Local product Schwebius returns to the Rockets for his second season with the team.
Look for Schwebius to get more playing time this season, with a loaded schedule of 24 games in 48 days the pair will likely share starting duties.
Affiliated players:
Andrew Cristall |
F |
5’9 |
178 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2005 | St Georges School (CSSHL U15) | 27 | 43 | 37 | 80 | 47 | Draft (2020) | Burnaby, BC |
The Rockets eighth overall pick in the 2020 WHL Draft joins the cohort as an affiliate player for the abbreviated 2020 season.
Because his season with his U18 team has been cancelled, Cristall is technically eligible to play in more than 5 games as a 15-year-old player this season.
READ MORE: Andrew Cristall: Ready for launch
Nicholas Cristiano |
G |
6’1 |
158 |
| YOB | 2019-20 Team | GP | W | L | SOL/OTL | GAA | Acquired | Hometown |
| 2004 | Fraser Valley Thunderbirds (BC U16) | 22 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 2.86 | Listed | Langley, BC |
Sixteen-year-old goaltender Nicholas Cristiano will be the Rockets third goaltender this season, joining the cohort as an affiliate player.
Cristiano went undrafted in the WHL Draft, he was listed by the Rockets and signed after a standout season with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds last year. You can’t miss the 6’1, 158-pound netminder in his all blue set up.
The Rockets open their season against the Victoria Royals on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 7:05 p.m. PT.
As the WHL returns to play in the WHL Hub Centers in Kamloops and Kelowna, no spectators will be permitted to enter Sandman Centre or Prospera Place.
WHL fans can look forward to taking in games across the whole league through the newly-launched WHL Live on CHL TV. More are details available by visiting watch.CHL.ca.
