Mazden Leslie with the Vancouver Giants. Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Calculated trade with rival pays off

Mazden Leslie reconsiders and joins Rockets

Jul 15, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Mazden Leslie probably found himself at a bit of a crossroads this offseason.

After four years and 280 regular season games with the Vancouver Giants that showed steady growth on the back end, the 20-year-old had a decision to make. NCAA hockey was on the table. So was turning pro. But in the end, Leslie chose one more year in the WHL. And a trade to the Kelowna Rockets helped make that choice a lot more interesting.

“I had been thinking about it for the last two weeks,” Leslie said about choosing between college hockey and honouring a trade that sent his playing rights to Kelowna for a 2028 first-round WHL Prospect pick and a third-round selection in 2026. “Ever since attending development camp with the [NHL] Vegas Golden Knights, I wasn’t thinking about the decision every day, but I came to it. It’s a different opportunity. The Memorial Cup—they’re hosting it. My goal is to sign an NHL contract, and there’s no better place for a defenseman to do that than in Kelowna.”

Leslie knows the calibre of NHL defencemen who’ve come through that locker room. Whether it’s Hall of Famers Duncan Keith and Shea Weber, or grassroots defender Luke Schenn, all three have glowing things to say about an organization that’s paved the way to hockey success.

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“I was set on going to Bowling Green until I was traded,” he told RocketFAN. “When I was traded, I said to myself, with the Memorial Cup, this is a good opportunity. I wasn’t surprised at being traded, since I wasn’t planning on going back. When [Giants owner Ron Toigo] asked me if I would be open to being moved to Kelowna, he asked my agent, and he said yes. That gave me the chance to choose which direction I wanted to take.”

Last season, Leslie put together one of the most productive campaigns by a defenceman in the league. He finished second in WHL defencemen scoring, just behind Portland’s Tyson Jugnauth. He was named the Giants’ Most Valuable Player, tied the franchise record for points by a defenceman with 72, and set a new franchise record for career goals from the blue line with 57, surpassing Jonathon Blum’s total of 49.

For Rockets fans keeping score, Madison Bowey still holds Kelowna’s all-time record with 58 goals. So yes, Leslie is knocking on that door too.

It’s been quite the path for the Lloydminster product. As a 15-year-old during the COVID bubble season, he skated in front of empty seats in hub cities like Kamloops and Kelowna. Scouts saw raw potential. Over time, that turned into a complete and confident defenceman who logs big minutes and makes big plays.

“When I was 16 or 17, I probably wasn’t where I needed to be defensively,” Leslie admitted, realizing that if you can’t defend, you won’t play at a high level. “The last couple of years it has gotten better, and it needs to continue to get better. The defensive side may be a little underrated.”

Let’s rewind for a moment to 2020. Leslie was a first-round pick, 10th overall to the Giants in the WHL Bantam Draft. The same year the Rockets chose Andrew Cristall at No. 8… remember him? That was also the year Connor Bedard went first overall. Looking back now, only three players from that entire draft class have skated in the NHL: Bedard, Zach Benson, and Matthew Wood… that’s it.

Leslie may have imagined he’d be turning pro by now, but with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear: he’s not alone. The development curve is different for everyone, and this year in Kelowna gives him a fresh runway to take flight.

“It’s going to be nice knowing that fans will be coming out to watch you every game,” Leslie added, noting how the Rockets are the big fish in a small pond, especially compared to the Vancouver Canucks, whose AHL affiliate is now picking up steam and fan support after winning a league title earlier this month. “It’s a plus with the seats being filled most nights with the Memorial Cup.”

Now he’s got a new jersey, a new challenge, and one last chance to show NHL teams he belongs at the next level.

And if he manages another 70+ point season, he has a real shot at setting a new record with his new team, surpassing franchise leader Burt Henderson, who put up 74 points back in 1995–96. That was the Rockets’ very first season in the Okanagan Valley, and Henderson’s mark has stood ever since.

Not a bad bit of history for Leslie to chase, along with winning junior hockey’s most coveted prize.

“My main goal this season is to stay consistent,” he said, when asked if he can improve on being a Western Conference first-team all-star a season ago. “I need to keep working on the defensive side.”

Kelowna hosts the 2026 Memorial Cup. And for a 20-year-old chasing not only a championship but an NHL contract, there’s no better stage than that.

He has his sights set on all three: breaking records, winning a Cup, and proving to NHL scouts that his time has come.

“I know you don’t have to be drafted to make it [to the NHL],” he added.

“There are a lot of guys who get drafted and don’t get signed. It doesn’t matter how you get there, it’s just that you get there.”