Rockets Prospect Will Kelts Invited to Hockey Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp
Kelowna Rockets prospect Will Kelts is one of 80 players invited to Hockey Canada’s National Under-17 Team Development Camp, set for July 17-21 in Oakville, Ontario.
Kelts, a 16-year-old defenceman from Consort, Alberta, was selected by the Rockets in the first round, 20th overall, in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. The 6’3″, 198-pound left-shot blue-liner spent the 2025-26 season with the Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep program in the CSSHL U18 league, posting six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 28 regular-season games and adding one assist in six playoff appearances.
The 80-player roster, which includes eight goaltenders, 24 defencemen, and 48 forwards, was selected by Program of Excellence general manager Alan Millar, alongside POE head scout Byron Bonora and U17 assistant general manager Mike Johnston, with input from Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, and Benoit Roy, director of hockey operations. Hockey Canada’s network of regional scouts and member representatives also assisted in the selection process.
All 80 players have been drafted by Canadian Hockey League clubs — 31 from the Ontario Hockey League, 29 from the Western Hockey League, and 20 from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The players will be split into four teams for the five-day camp, which features two days of practice and six games from July 19-21.
“We are excited to unveil the top Canadian under-17 players who have earned invitations to our development camp this week, and to introduce these young players to Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence,” said Millar. “This is a very talented and exciting group that will be surrounded by world-class coaching and support staffs, and we look forward to introducing them to our program, setting the expectations for the season and preparing for the U17 World Challenge later this year.”
Following camp, players will continue to be evaluated through the beginning of the 2026-27 season before the Canada Red and Canada White rosters are named ahead of the 2026 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, scheduled for November 1-7 in Oakville.
