Luke Schenn shares a chuckle at Prospera Place with alumnus Blake Comeau

By Regan Bartel

One call, one commitment

Luke Schenn’s call, Mazden Leslie’s answer

Jul 19, 2025 | 8:00 AM

Sometimes, all it takes is one phone call.

That call came earlier this week, from NHL defenceman and Kelowna Rockets alumnus Luke Schenn to 20-year-old blueliner Mazden Leslie, a player caught between two very different hockey paths.

Leslie had recently been acquired by the Kelowna Rockets in a trade with the Vancouver Giants. A four-year WHL veteran with 280 games played and 190 points as a defenceman, Leslie brought a wealth of experience and offensive upside. But he hadn’t yet decided whether he would report to Kelowna or honour his prior commitment to Bowling Green University in the NCAA.

The Rockets were interested, the trade was done, and the roster spot was open. But the decision was still in Leslie’s hands.

Enter Luke Schenn.

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Now a seasoned NHLer with over 1,000 games played and two Stanley Cup rings, Schenn has long remained connected to his junior roots. He played in Kelowna from 2005 to 2008, helping anchor one of the most respected development programs in the CHL. Over the years, he’s spoken often about how his time with the Rockets shaped his career, and this week, he picked up the phone to pass along that perspective.

The conversation between Schenn and Leslie wasn’t a recruiting pitch so much as it was a sharing of experience. Schenn spoke about what playing in Kelowna meant to him, how the organization helped prepare him for professional hockey, and the kind of environment a young defenceman can expect both on and off the ice.

A few days later, Leslie made his decision: he’s joining the Kelowna Rockets.

For the team, it’s a major off-season win. Leslie immediately adds depth and skill to the Rockets’ defence corps and is expected to play a leading role this season. At 6-foot-1, with a right-handed shot and four years of WHL play already under his belt, he brings poise, production, and presence.

Originally from Lloydminster, Alberta, Leslie broke into the league as a 15-year-old and developed into one of Vancouver’s most reliable defencemen. His 2024–25 campaign included 72 points and heavy minutes in all situations. He also served in a leadership role with the Giants, wearing an “C” on his jersey and logging time on both special teams.

His arrival in Kelowna adds veteran experience to a young team looking to take the next step. The Rockets have a strong core returning this season and now boast an experienced puck-moving defenceman to help drive play from the back end.

For Leslie, the decision to return to the WHL, and specifically to Kelowna, could be career-defining. With one season of major junior eligibility remaining, it’s a final opportunity to take on a starring role, sharpen his game, and prepare for the professional ranks. The WHL’s reputation as a launching pad for pro careers is well established, and Kelowna’s history of developing NHL defencemen speaks for itself.

The fact that one of those defencemen took the time to reach out and share what the program still means to him may have helped tip the scales.

Schenn’s call served as a reminder that the Rockets are more than just a team. For many, they’re a community, a stepping stone, and a place where careers begin. The organization’s alumni continue to play a quiet but meaningful role in its ongoing success.

Now, Leslie is ready to start his next chapter in Kelowna, and the Rockets have gained a solid presence on their blue line, all from one simple conversation connecting past and future.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes.