Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Owen Folstrom made his WHL debut

Rockets 15-year-old rookie following in NHLers footsteps

Dec 10, 2023 | 2:00 PM

It was December 9, 2009, when Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson made his Kelowna Rockets debut against the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre.

Severson, who signed a $50 million deal with the NHL team this summer, was just 15 years old.

Fast forward 14 years later, to the day, and another 15-year-old was making his debut in the same arena, dreaming of following in Severson’s footsteps.

Owen Folstrom, a fourth-round WHL prospect pick was in the lineup in a 5-4 road victory Saturday night over those same pesky Pats.

“Having fun with the guys and enjoying the experience,” Folstrom told RocketFAN before he took his rookie lap, an honour given to anyone who plays their first game in the Western Hockey League. “I just want to play simple, bump a few bodies, and get a feel of what the WHL is.”

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After a strong showing at rookie and then main camp in the fall, Folstrom saw action in two WHL preseason games before returning to develop with the U18 AAA Calgary Flames.

“Going into training camp, I just wanted to try my hardest,” he said. “After camp, I was told I may get a chance to go play up. It is finally here, and its happening and I am super excited.

“In the first main camp game, I had a nice toe-drag release goal, and that told me I could play in this league and have a shot.”

This season with the Flames, the likable personality has 13 goals in just 16 games.

“I believe I have a powerful shot,” Folstrom added, which may describe his offensive success this season. “I would say I am not too focused on just one side of the game. I like to play a 200-foot game.”

Born and raised in Calgary, Folstrom said it was older brothers who introduced him to the game of hockey.

“I always played mini-sticks with them,” he recalled. “They didn’t even play hockey. My dad played hockey growing up, so I was born into it.

“Ever since I picked up a hockey stick, I’ve just loved it.”

In Folstrom’s first year as a novice, in just 16 games he scored 64 goals, which was a good indication that hockey may be a good fit.

Kelowna Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette is hoping to enjoy Folstrom’s evolution over the next few years into becoming the next wave of high-end forward talent.

“He was great in camp, a real surprise,” Mallette said. “He worked extremely hard in camp and deserved a few exhibition games. What we noticed as a staff is he never changed his game no matter who he played against. Some players look great in rookie camp. Some players look good in main camp, but you get them into a pre-season game, and they disappear. ‘Folly’ is not that guy. I think he has a great brain, and he could be a big surprise for us.”

Damon Severson wasn’t highly touted, chosen in the 9th round of the 2009 WHL prospects draft but eventually involved into an elite offensive defender. The hope is Folstrom too can turn into an impactful junior player which would translate into pro-opportunities down the road.

“It is obviously stressful playing against guys that are five years older than me, but my teammates have been so good to me,” Folstrom commented.

“I am enjoying this time with the team on this prairie swing and having a lot of fun.”