Rockets add solid defenceman McInnis in deal with Rebels

Kelowna, B.C.-  The 2026 Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets have beefed up their blueline with the acquisition of 6-foot-1, 197-pound rearguard Keith McInnis.

In return, the Red Deer Rebels will receive forward Kalder Varga, a sixth-round pick in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft and a third-round selection in 2028.

McInnis, 19, has six goals (including a game-winner) and 14 assists for 20 points in 34 games to lead all Rebels defencemen in scoring.

The Red Deer, Alta. product is in the midst of his first WHL season after winning a BCHL Championship in 2025.

TIE GAME!! KEITH MCINNIS!! WITH JUST 34.8 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION 🫨@Rebelshockey pic.twitter.com/pKSHAEsa32

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) October 30, 2025

McInnis will join a Kelowna defensive corps that includes the likes of 2025 WHL Defenceman of the Year finalist Mazden Leslie and Los Angeles Kings prospect Will Sharpe.

Heading the other way is 2025 NHL Draft-eligible Varga.

The 6-foot, 176-pound winger has put up eight goals (with one game-winner) and three assists for 11 points in 34 games in his sophomore season (he posted 10 goals and 14 assists in 58 matches in 2024-25).

Varga, who hails from Geneva, Illinois, is on the cusp of reaching 100 games played and is rated as a ‘C’ prospect, or projected fourth-to-fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Kelowna (17-13-3-1) will try to leapfrog rival Kamloops (16-13-3-4) in the B.C. Division standings as the Rockets and Blazers battle at Prospera Place at 7:05 p.m. PST on Friday, January 2.

Red Deer (10-20-2-2) will tussle with the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds (14-15-2-2) on Saturday, January 3 at 6:00 p.m. MST.