Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor
The push is on: WHL playoffs heat up
Things that make me go hmm…
Apr 22, 2025 | 11:00 AM
- Dan Bylsma’s dismissal as head coach of the Seattle Kraken comes with an intriguing backstory. In the winter of 2015, the 54-year-old spent a few days with the Kelowna Rockets as a guest coach. At the time, he was in between jobs after being let go by the Pittsburgh Penguins in June 2014, though he remained on their payroll through the 2014–15 season. His connection to the Rockets came through then-head coach Dan Lambert, a former teammate. Bylsma joined the team for a series of practices in March, shortly before being named head coach of the Buffalo Sabres two and a half months later.
- With the Kelowna Rockets now searching for a new head coach, could Dan Bylsma be a candidate? He’s never coached at the junior hockey level, and if he were to take the job, it would likely be a one-and-done scenario – stepping in specifically to lead the team through its Memorial Cup season. Given his background and experience, it’s unlikely Bylsma would pursue the role himself. If there’s any chance of it happening, the Rockets would have to make the first move.
- RocketFAN caught up with Bylsma back in 2015 when he led the team through a couple of practices, offering valuable insight on areas for improvement. “I told my wife I was heading to Kelowna,” Bylsma said with a grin at the time. “She looked it up online and asked, ‘Why are you going without me?’ It’s beautiful here—this is the kind of landscape you don’t forget.”
- Forward Andrew Cristall is set for some dental work once the Western Hockey League playoffs wrap up. The Spokane Chiefs winger has been wearing a full-face shield throughout the 2025 postseason after taking a stick to the mouth during a game back in February. But the injury hasn’t slowed down the 19-year-old, who’s been on a tear since being acquired from the Kelowna Rockets at the trade deadline. Cristall has racked up 24 points in just nine games, scoring in seven of them.
- Kelowna’s all-time playoff scoring record is still held by Jamie Benn, who notched 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 19 games during the Rockets’ 2009 run to the league championship. By comparison, Leon Draisaitl put up 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in the 2015 playoffs over the same number of games. Jesse Schultz matched that 28-point mark during the 2003 postseason, scoring 12 times on his way to being named playoff MVP.
- One franchise record that may never be broken belongs to Tyler Mosienko, who played an incredible 81 playoff games over his five-year WHL career with Kelowna. His shortest postseason came in his rookie year, 2001, when the Rockets were knocked out in six games by the Seattle Thunderbirds. That year, Mosienko was one of three 16-year-olds on the roster, alongside defenseman Josh Gorges and forward Randall Gelech. While Gorges and Gelech didn’t play in the WHL as 20-year-olds, Mosienko – now 41 – did, capping off a lengthy and memorable junior career.
- Enter Aidan Park, a surprise addition to the Calgary Hitmen for the 2025 WHL playoffs. The 19-year-old joined the team ahead of their second-round series against the Lethbridge Hurricanes after spending the season with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, where he tallied an impressive 33 goals in 55 games. Originally selected by the Hitmen in the first round of the 2021 US Priority Draft, Park made the rare decision to leave his USHL team mid-playoffs to suit up for Calgary – an unprecedented move that’s raised eyebrows. It’s a clear loophole in the system, and one the Hurricanes likely aren’t thrilled about, as the projected 94th overall pick in this June’s NHL Draft was suddenly dropped into Calgary’s lineup.
- At least six players on the Okanagan Rockets roster, currently competing at the TELUS Cup in Chilliwack, have ties to WHL teams. Among them is Von Lakovic, younger brother of Moose Jaw Warriors forward Lynden Lakovic – a projected first-round pick in this summer’s NHL Draft. Also on the roster are Carter Rebman (11th round – Edmonton Oil Kings), Logan Jugnauth (6th round – Prince George Cougars), Hudson Getzlaf (5th round – Vancouver Giants), Hayden Laing (9th round – Tri-City Americans), and Elijah Henson (9th round – Edmonton Oil Kings).What’s perhaps most surprising is that the team’s leading scorer, Dion Schraeder—who tallied 39 goals and 62 points to finish second in BCEHL scoring this season—remains undrafted by any WHL club.
- Big shoutout to all the WHL broadcasters who are stepping up their game for the playoffs! With more fans tuning in thanks to free access on Victory+, the spotlight’s brighter than ever. Extra props to those who aren’t forgetting their radio listeners – because they still matter. Radio play-by-play is an art. Listeners can’t see the puck – they need to hear where it is. Right corner? Left half-wall? Center ice? If you skip those details, the audience is left in the dark. Keep painting the picture. You’re the eyes for those who can’t watch.
- Enjoy the free ride thanks to Victory +. It may all come to an end when TSN swoops in and does the WHL championship series like they did a season ago. If you already have your subscription to that cable service – play on!
- Trae Johnson might just be the best comeback story of any former Kelowna Rockets player in the 2025 WHL playoffs. Now 19, he’s clearly earned the confidence of Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters. Johnson is logging major minutes, playing in high-pressure situations, and even anchoring the power play as a net-front presence. Now on his third WHL team—after previous stops in Brandon and Kelowna – the 2020 second-round prospect is making a strong case for one of the team’s three coveted overage spots next season.
- Edge-of-your-seat action has defined the 2025 Western Hockey League playoffs, with 24 games already decided by just a single goal. For context, the entire 2024 postseason saw only two more one-goal game, with 26 in total.
- Home-ice advantage might not be all it’s cracked up to be. In the 2025 WHL playoffs, home teams have won just 36 of 65 games – a win rate of only 55.4%.
- There have been seven shutout in this years playoffs. In the 2003 post-season, Kelowna Rockets goalie Kelly Guard had four goose-eggs on his own.
- At 1,036 words, it’s time to shut the barn doors. Don’t forget to vote – Election Day is April 28. If you don’t show up, you lose the right to complain.
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