Trade alert/Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club

By Vernon Matters Staff

Trade alert

Rockets acquire veteran forward Halaburda in deal with Giants

Jan 6, 2026 | 11:47 AM

The Kelowna Rockets have added leadership and scoring with the acquisition of forward Ty Halaburda from the Vancouver Giants.

Kelowna acquired the 20-year-old centre along with a second-round pick in 2028 and a fourth-round pick in 2028 in exchange for defenceman Will Sharpe. Halaburda is a 5-11, 187-pound right shot from Victoria who served as the Giants captain during the 2025-26 season and becomes the second Vancouver captain acquired by Kelowna this year, joining defenceman Mazden Leslie.

Over five Western Hockey League seasons in Vancouver, Halaburda has played 283 career games, producing 220 points on 96 goals and 124 assists. He had 39 points in 40 games this season at the time of the trade and has twice surpassed the 60-point mark in a season. Halaburda also brings international experience after representing Canada at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, where he won bronze.

Rockets general manager Bruce Hamilton said Halaburda adds a high level of competitiveness and leadership to the lineup.

“Ty is an elite competitor who plays the game the right way,” Hamilton said. “He brings leadership, intensity and playoff-style hockey every night. He is a player who can tilt the ice with his work ethic and make everyone around him better. We are excited to add him to our group.”

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The move fills Kelowna’s final overage position, with Halaburda joining Leslie and Shane Smith as the team’s three 20-year-old players.

In return, the Rockets send defenceman Will Sharpe to Vancouver. Sharpe was acquired by Kelowna near the 2025 trade deadline in a deal with the Lethbridge Hurricanes that sent defenceman Caden Price the other way. A seventh-round selection of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2025 NHL Draft, Sharpe appeared in 62 games with the Rockets over parts of two seasons.

“We would like to thank Will for his contributions to our organization and wish him nothing but the best as he continues his career closer to home in Vancouver,” Hamilton said.