Photo credit: Contributed

By Regan Bartel

Ex-Kelowna Rockets d-man retires

‘That’s all she wrote’ – Riley Stadel

Apr 25, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Riley Stadel always knew his hockey career would come to an end — just not this soon.

Now 29, the Kelowna Rockets alumnus and Surrey, B.C. native made it official on April 15, announcing his retirement from professional hockey in a heartfelt Instagram post.

“That’s all she wrote, I have made the decision to retire from professional hockey after eight seasons,” Stadel shared. “I am forever grateful to have lived out my lifelong dream.”

Stadel spent the past season playing professionally in Hungary.

“Hockey has brought me all across the world, meeting amazing people along the way,” he wrote.

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A third-round bantam draft pick by the Rockets in 2011, Stadel left home early to chase his hockey dream. That same year, he played alongside Joe Hicketts with the Okanagan Hockey Academy.

Hicketts, who starred with the WHL’s Victoria Royals, has played 22 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, and is currently playing this season in the American Hockey League with the Wings affiliate with the Ontario Reign.

“I would like to thank my coaches for always believing in me, and getting the best out of me,” he added.

Stadel joined the Rockets as a rookie defenceman in 2012 under then-head coach Ryan Huska, now behind the bench with the NHL’s Calgary Flames. He could score his first WHL goal that same season, in just his fourth career game – on September 29, 2012, during a road win in Portland.

“It has really been one hell of a ride,” Stadel said, reflecting on a WHL career that included a league championship in 2015 on a powerhouse Rockets team led by NHL star Leon Draisaitl. “I will always cherish the memories I have being a Rocket, and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the Hamilton family.”

Over five seasons in Kelowna, Stadel played 270 regular season games under coaches Huska, Dan Lambert, and Jason Smith, before being traded to the Edmonton Oil Kings in January 2017.

While he’s stepping away from playing, he isn’t stepping away from the game.

“I won’t be far from the game,” he said. “I’ve found a new passion in coaching, and I am super excited to stay in Fehervar Hockey Academy (in Hungary) with the U21 program.”

Stadel’s best offensive season came in 2014-15, when he notched 10 goals and 33 assists for 43 points. Off the ice, he scored another milestone — marrying his wife Kelly on May 24, 2024, in Las Vegas.

“Without hockey, I would have never met my beautiful wife Kelly,” he said.

“I want to thank her for always supporting me and cheering me on every step of the way.”