Rockets preview/Kelowna Rockets

By Vernon Matters Staff

New season

Kelowna Rockets kick off 30th anniversary season as hosts of Memorial Cup

Sep 19, 2025 | 11:15 AM

The Kelowna Rockets will kick off their 30th anniversary season Friday night when they host the Spokane Chiefs at Prospera Place. Faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m., with live coverage on 104.7 The Lizard and Rocketfan.ca

The Rockets will be without several key players, including forward Hayden Paupanekis, defenceman Will Sharpe and goaltender Harrison Boettiger, all sidelined with injuries. Seven others remain at National Hockey League training camps. Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton said the three injured players are expected back in a couple of weeks.

“Once we get more of our guys back from NHL camps, we’ll have a pretty good understanding of what we have,” Hamilton said. “It will also give some other players a chance to step up and show their progress.”

Kelowna finished the preseason with a 2-3 record, including a pair of losses to the Medicine Hat Tigers, while Spokane posted a 4-1 exhibition campaign. Over the past five years, the Rockets have been competitive at home against Spokane, winning four of seven matchups at Prospera Place.

This season carries added significance as Kelowna prepares to host the 2026 Memorial Cup. The City of Kelowna has invested $5.1 million in arena upgrades to meet world-class standards for the tournament. Improvements include a new scoreboard, upgraded sound system, enhanced ice-making equipment with electric Zambonis, large display screens in concession areas, and improved public Wi-Fi. Costs exceeded the initial $3.8 million budget due to engineering fees, inflation, and currency fluctuations. The city also expects ongoing annual operating costs to rise by $100,000 for maintenance and service agreements.

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Fans can expect a packed Prospera Place for the home opener, which doubles as a milestone celebration for the franchise. Single-game tickets are available online at selectyourtickets.com, by phone at 250-762-5050, or in person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office.

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