2026 Training Camp Schedule

Honouring Rockets Alumni

• Duncan Keith – A cornerstone of the Rockets’ 2003 WHL Championship-winning team, Keith went on to capture three Stanley Cups and two Norris Trophies with the Chicago Blackhawks, along with two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada. He was recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024-25 as well as the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.
• Shea Weber – A two-time WHL Champion with the Rockets, Weber was named the 2005 WHL Playoffs MVP before embarking on an illustrious NHL career. A three-time Norris Trophy finalist and seven-time NHL All-Star, Weber won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024.
• Jamie Benn – A key member of the Rockets’ 2009 WHL Championship team, Benn led the WHL playoffs with 33 points before capturing the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the leading scorer at the Memorial Cup. He went on to become one of the NHL’s premier forwards, surpassing 1,000 NHL games, winning the Art Ross Trophy in 2015, earning three NHL All-Star selections and capturing an Olympic gold with Team Canada in 2014.
• Mikael Backlund – Backlund helped lead the Rockets to the 2009 WHL Championship, scoring a league-leading 13 goals during the playoff run. He went on to become a longtime leader with the Calgary Flames, surpassing 1,000 NHL games and winning the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2023, while also representing Sweden extensively on the international stage. 
• Tyler Myers – The 2009 WHL Playoffs MVP, Myers helped lead the Rockets to a WHL Championship and an appearance in the Memorial Cup final before making an immediate impact in the NHL. He captured the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 2010 and has since played more than 1,000 NHL games, while also winning gold with Canada at the World Juniors and World Championship.

Smith, 21, joined the Rockets in a trade with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in November 2025, arriving in Kelowna alongside forward Vojtech Cihar. In his lone season with the Rockets, the 6'2", 205-pound left-shot forward posted 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in 41 regular-season games, adding four points in nine playoff games and appearing in three games at the 2026 Memorial Cup.

"Shane brought a lot to our team this year, both as a player and as a person," said President & General Manager Bruce Hamilton. "We're proud of everything he accomplished here and we're excited to see him take this next step with Henderson."

Over his four-year WHL career with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Kelowna Rockets, Smith appeared in 264 regular season games, recording 93 goals and 90 assists for 183 points.

Away from the rink, Smith made an equally significant impact in the community. He was named the 2025-26 WHL Humanitarian of the Year and was recognized as a finalist for the CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award after raising funds throughout the season for the Canadian CMV Foundation, inspired by his niece Maia's battle with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV).

The Kelowna Rockets congratulate Shane on signing his first professional contract and wish him continued success with the Henderson Silver Knights.

Reagan joins the Rockets following a 19-year tenure with the SJHL's Flin Flon Bombers, where he served as Head Coach beginning in 2006-07 before taking on the dual role of General Manager and Head Coach in 2013-14.

During the 19 years behind the Bombers' bench, Reagan compiled an impressive 606-334-88 regular season record while capturing five division titles and leading the club to six SJHL Finals, including a championship in 2025-26.

"We're excited to welcome Mike to the Kelowna Rockets organization," said President & General Manager Bruce Hamilton. "He has built a winning culture throughout his coaching career and brings a tremendous amount of experience in player development. Mike's track record speaks for itself, and we believe he'll be an outstanding addition to our staff."

Reagan has also enjoyed extensive success on the international stage with Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge, helping the program capture gold as Video Coach in 2015-16 before earning another gold medal as Head Coach in 2017-18. He most recently guided Canada West to a bronze medal in 2024-25.

His coaching accomplishments have been recognized across Canadian junior hockey. Reagan was named both SJHL Coach of the Year and CJHL Coach of the Year in 2023-24, capping his career in Flin Flon with an SJHL championship in 2025-26.

"I am incredibly honoured and excited to join the prestigious Kelowna Rockets organization," said newly appointed assistant coach Mike Reagan. "I look forward to working alongside the coaching staff and using my experience to help in any way I can to reach the goal of winning a championship."

The 16-year-old forward was selected by the Rockets in the third round (173rd overall) of the 2026 CHL Import Draft after an impressive season with Bílí Tygři Liberec U20 in Czechia.

Hörnig recorded 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points in 33 games with Liberec's U17 club during the 2025-26 season before adding 14 points (7G, 7A) in nine playoff games. He also appeared in 11 games at the U20 level and represented Czechia internationally, collecting 12 points (8G, 4A) in 15 games with the national U17 team.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup has long served as a showcase for many of hockey's top young prospects. While many players in this year's tournament will be eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, Hörnig will not be draft eligible until 2028 because his October 15, 2009 birthday falls after the NHL's September 15 age cutoff.

Hörnig is expected to continue his development in Czechia during the 2026-27 season following his selection by the Rockets in the 2026 CHL Import Draft. Kelowna owns his WHL rights, and the organization could see the skilled forward make the move to North America for the 2027-28 season.

The showcase will take place from July 26 to August 1 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, and will feature players from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden. The event serves as an evaluation opportunity ahead of the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Boettiger is one of five goaltenders named to the 47-player U.S. roster. The Wheat Ridge, Colorado product previously spent two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program before joining the Rockets for the 2025-26 season.

The 18-year-old appeared in 41 regular-season games during his first season in Kelowna, posting a 25-10-5 record, a 2.83 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.

Designed for post-secondary students seeking academic credit and hands-on experience in the sports industry, the internship program provides an opportunity to contribute to one of the WHL's premier organizations while building a professional portfolio in a fast-paced, team environment.

Applications are currently being accepted for the following positions:

Graphic Design Intern

Remote | Full-Season or Half-Season

Working within the Rockets' Communications & Marketing department, the Graphic Design Intern will assist in creating digital content and promotional materials that support the organization's brand throughout the season.

Responsibilities include designing graphics for social media, ticketing, retail, partnerships, community initiatives, and game day campaigns while collaborating with the Director of Communications & Social Media.

Applicants should have experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop, strong design skills, and be currently enrolled in a post-secondary program eligible for internship or practicum credit.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and portfolio, along with their preferred placement term.

Social Media Intern

Kelowna, BC | Full-Season or Half-Season

The Social Media Intern will work alongside the Rockets' Communications department, focusing on the creation of engaging short-form content for TikTok and Instagram Reels while providing behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the season.

Responsibilities include filming and editing video content, assisting with player features and interviews, identifying emerging social media trends, and supporting game day and event coverage.

Applicants should have experience creating short-form video content, proficiency with editing software such as CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, and be comfortable working evenings and weekends during the hockey season. Candidates must be based in, or able to commute to, Kelowna and be enrolled in a post-secondary program eligible for internship or practicum credit.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and examples of previous social media work, along with their preferred placement term.

Apparel Design Intern

Remote or Kelowna, BC | Full-Season or Half-Season

The Apparel Design Intern will support the development of Rockets retail merchandise and lifestyle apparel while collaborating with the organization's Retail department.

Responsibilities include designing apparel concepts, creating merchandise mockups, researching current sportswear trends, and assisting with product development for future retail collections.

Applicants should possess experience in fashion, apparel, or product design, proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and be enrolled in a post-secondary program eligible for internship or practicum credit.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, portfolio, preferred work arrangement (remote or in person), and preferred placement term.

Applications for all three internship opportunities close on Friday, July 31, 2026. Applications will be reviewed following the deadline, and only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For complete job descriptions and application details, visit chl.ca/whl-rockets/job-opportunities/

Reporting to General Manager Bruce Hamilton as well as Head Coach Derrick Martin, the successful candidate will play an integral role in the development of Rockets players both on and off the ice while supporting all aspects of the club's hockey operations.

The Assistant Coach will work closely with the coaching staff to assist with player development, practice planning, game preparation, video analysis, recruitment, and day-to-day team operations. In addition to coaching responsibilities, the position will support team logistics, including travel coordination, road trip planning, and league administration.

The ideal candidate will have previous coaching and/or playing experience, a strong background in player development, and excellent communication and organizational skills. Experience with video analysis, hockey analytics, and Microsoft Office is considered an asset.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to curtish@kelownarockets.com no later than Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PT.

For more information on the position, visit chl.ca/whl-rockets/job-opportunities/

Daneault, selected first overall by the Rockets in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, enjoyed a remarkable 2025-26 season with the Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA program, recording 149 points (65G, 84A) in just 34 regular season games. He also earned AEHL U15 First All-Star Team honours while leading the league in goals, assists, and points.

The Red Deer product also starred at the John Reid Memorial Tournament, where he was named Tournament MVP and Top Forward for a second consecutive season.

The 2026-27 season will mark the beginning of Daneault's WHL career as one of the league's most highly anticipated young prospects.