WHL Stars of Tomorrow: Kalder Varga, Kelowna Rockets

Kalder Varga peered up at the bright facade of the Tacoma Dome.

The bustling venue sees hundreds of thousands of people file through its doors every year for concerts, conventions and other events- but that’s not why Varga wanted to see it.

This is where his dad, John, scored 60 goals in the 1993-94 WHL season as a member of the then-Tacoma Rockets.

Now, Kalder gets to see it for the first time as he travels to Kelowna to attend his second training camp with the Rockets in hopes of cracking the roster as a 16-year-old.

“My dad played for the same organization, and as a kid, I’ve always dreamed of playing in the Western Hockey League,” Varga said. “Him scoring 60 goals in a season was a cool story he used to tell and he would say juniors was the best time of his life. So you obviously want to have the same, same experience and opportunity as him.”

The younger Varga was drafted by Kelowna with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, the first step in making that dream come true.

Though, he might be aiming for a 60-assist season rather than 60 goals.

“I like to set up guys,” Varga added. “We’re two different people. But if that happens, it happens, and if anything, I want to try and beat that.”

The 5-foot-11, 176-pound forward made an immediate impression on the Rockets staff in his first training camp in the fall of 2023, and while expectations may have changed, the things that make him distinctive have continued to flourish, according to Head Coach Kris Mallette.

“When he was in rookie camp last year as a real young player, the things that he was doing against his peer group was pretty unique and he definitely stood out,” Mallette said. “Coming back this season, (he’s) similar for sure, but playing more with Andrew Cristall (Washington Capitals), Caden Price (Seattle Kraken) and our veteran players. He’s got a lot of creativity in his game and skates very, very well.”

The Geneva, Ill. product showed off his flashy playmaking abilities with Chicago Mission’s 15U AAA side in 2023-24, racking up 40 goals and 50 assists for 90 points in 50 games.

He also got to suit up alongside his Chicago mission teammate and best friend (and Medicine Hat Tigers prospect) Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll with Team USA at the 2024 Five Nations Tournament in Slovakia in August.

The teenager led all American skaters with three goals and five assists in four matches en route to clinching a gold medal.

He’s also focused on building strength as he looks to carve out a role on the Rockets roster.

On September 6, 2024, Varga pulled on his Rockets jersey for the first time to take on the rival Kamloops Blazers in preseason action.

“Wearing that jersey kind of gave me some chills,” Varga grinned. “And the 14 on the back, just like my dad, was super cool.”

As for Mallette’s assessment of Varga’s first two preseason matches at the WHL level?

“Very good puck skills,” Mallette emphasized .”We saw flashes of his ability, his skating ability. He can really move when challenged. He doesn’t shy away from the physicality. Definitely doesn’t initiate it. But he’s got a strong, sturdy stance and a very creative mind. I think that as the season progresses and we get some chemistry within our group and some guys back (from NHL Training Camps), he’s going to be fun to watch.”

Kelowna faces Vancouver in its penultimate preseason tilt on Saturday, September 14 at 6:05 p.m. PST at Prospera Place.