Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Rockets are now 15-18-2-1 on the season

A team effort is a wonderful thing

Jan 11, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Sometimes the best move is the one you didn’t make. 

The Kelowna Rockets exemplified this after opting not to trade 19-year-old world junior standout Jakub Stancl at the WHL trade deadline. 

Despite rumors circulating that Stancl was headed to the Calgary Hitmen, the deal never materialized. The Czech-born forward responded by delivering the best performance of his career, helping his junior team with a memorable game. 

Stancl, a fourth-round pick by the St. Louis Blues, made his presence known, scoring three goals and adding two assists in the Rockets’ 6-3 victory over the Prince George Cougars on Friday night. 

“We missed him,” said Rockets interim head coach Derrick Martin after the game. “He is a big part of our team. The goals were huge, don’t get me wrong, but it’s the things he does away from the puck that people aren’t likely paying attention to – getting pucks back for us, breaking pucks out under pressure. Those are big things to allow you to play with the puck more.” 

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Stancl had previously led Team Czechia to a bronze medal at the world juniors, scoring seven goals in the tournament. There was no sign of rust or emotional letdown in his return to the Rockets. 

“I thought we had the puck a lot tonight,” Martin added. “It’s hard to do, and the guys earned every ounce of it. It’s been a long few days, especially today, and to see your group come up with that effort was a lot of fun to be a part of.” 

The win was made even more impressive by the contributions of three newly acquired players. Will Sharpe scored a highlight-reel goal in the third period to break a 3-3 tie, and Dawson Gerwing added his first goal with the team just nine seconds later. 

“We asked the group to be physical,” Martin remarked about the team’s emphasis on finishing checks while avoiding penalties. “We want Prospera Place to be a difficult place to come every single night. I think if you asked the Prince George Cougars, that’s what we did tonight. We finished a lot of checks, played big, and the identity of this team shifted. We may have a little less talent post-deadline, a little less experience, but we’ve got a lot of size, we skate well, and there’s a lot of heart in there.” 

Playing on the top line with Stancl and Max Graham, who had a four-point night, newcomer Hayden Paupanekis contributed two assists and nearly scored on a wraparound in the third period, only to hit the goal post. 

“I thought this group showed up and played with a lot of passion,” Martin added. “We had energy. The test wasn’t could we do it, but could we do it for 60 minutes, because we faltered in a few of these down the stretch here.” 

“I challenged the group in the second intermission. I said the test will be who will have the third period, and boy did the guys respond and come out of the gates with two quick ones. It made the game a little easier.” 

With a 6-3 lead in the third, Martin was asked when he felt confident the game was in hand, especially against a Cougar team known for its ability to score in bursts. 

“In the last eight seconds, there were three face-offs in the D-zone, and we got the clock down to four seconds. That’s when I shook Liam’s [McOnie] hand and told him, ‘Great job,’” he said with a grin.