2025 WHL Graduates: Kelowna Rockets
Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2024-25 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series.
Today, we continue with the graduating players from the Kelowna Rockets.
Michael Cicek (F)
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
WHL Career Stats: 189 GP – 31 G-65 – 96 PTS
WHL Draft: 2019 – 6th Round, 125th Overall (Spokane)
Following a junior hockey career split between Spokane, Wash., and Kelowna, B.C., overage forward Michael Cicek is set to pursue new ventures outside of the Western Hockey League. The 21-year-old is one of two recent graduates from the Kelowna Rockets’ ranks having completed his final year of major junior eligibility. However, Cicek’s career never started in the Okanagan. Instead, the Winnipeg, Man., local joined the League as a member of the Spokane Chiefs. Hearing his name called in the sixth round (125th overall) of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, Cicek made his WHL debut with Spokane on October 2, 2021. Adamant on entering the WHL with a bang, the budding forward recorded his first career point – an assist – in his second-ever skate with the Chiefs. Cicek spent two seasons wearing Spokane’s iconic, blue, red, and white uniforms before being acquired by Kelowna via trade in May 2023. At a production level, the move north of the border couldn’t have gone better for the forward, recording 39 points (9 G-30 A) in his first season with Kelowna. However, his best season came during his 20-year-old campaign, as Cicek hit a career-best in points with 40 (17 G-23 A) in a mere 52 regular season appearances. With 189 career appearances under his belt and having completed his WHL career, Cicek is ready to continue his education at Michigan Tech for the 2025-26 season.
Borderline telepathy between Cicek and Iginla 🔮@Kelowna_Rockets | @utahhockeyclub pic.twitter.com/3HpE9T3WTE
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) November 28, 2024
Max Graham (F)
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 237 GP – 56 G-77 A – 133 PTS
WHL Draft: Listed (Everett)
NHL Draft: 2024 – 5th Round, 139th Overall (New Jersey)
It’s a departure that stings more than most.
After a five-season stint with the Everett Silvertips and, most recently, the Kelowna Rockets, bruising forward Max Graham is departing from the Western League as a part of the graduating class of 2025. And, while Graham, an Okanagan local, was raised in Kelowna, the 21-year-old actually made his WHL debut elsewhere. Originally listed by the Everett Silvertips, Graham signed his WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the U.S. Division club in January 2020. He made his Silvertips debut on March 20, 2021, and recorded his first point – an assist – on April 18, 2021. Graham suited up for a total of 18 games with the Tips before being acquired by his hometown Rockets in August 2021. Then, on October 8, 2021, Graham made his long-awaited debut with Kelowna. Clearly ecstatic to be with the Rockets, Graham boasted an impressive three points (2 G-1 A) in his first three appearances with his new club. The remainder of Graham’s major junior career – four seasons, to be precise – was spent wearing Kelowna’s ‘Ogopogo’ crest. His dedication to the Rockets organization was further celebrated ahead of the 2024-25 WHL Season, when Graham was named the 29th captain in Rockets history. Unfortunately, Graham’s final season in the WHL came sooner than expected. In January, the captain underwent successful knee surgery and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Having originally been selected in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft by New Jersey, Graham exits the League as an NHL prospect.
Leading to the Max!
The @Kelowna_Rockets have announced that @NJDevils prospect Max Graham will serve as the Club's 29th captain in franchise history.
📝 | https://t.co/cnv8ilsLYw pic.twitter.com/zj6GhR2MnS
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) October 9, 2024
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