Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

San Jose draft pick wears 'C'

Carson Wetsch named Captain after surprise Zoom from parents

Oct 8, 2025 | 6:05 AM

Carson Wetsch found out he was the new captain of the Kelowna Rockets in a way he’ll never forget.

Standing inside the dressing room surrounded by teammates, the 19-year-old forward looked up at a video screen and saw two familiar faces. His mom and dad appeared on Zoom, smiling. Then came the news. Their son had been named captain of the team.

“First of all, just getting to see it [the letter] on your jersey, that’s pretty cool,” Wetsch told RocketFAN. “Especially with such a big year like this and having the coaching staff and the team rely on me, it’s a big opportunity, but I’m excited for it.”

Wetsch was acquired from the Calgary Hitmen this summer and immediately fit into the Rockets’ dressing room. He has the personality that draws people in, not through flash, but through honesty and a willingness to connect. Leadership, though, is nothing new to him. He served as captain of the Hitmen last season.

“You’re a guy that everyone looks up to and relies on, and so does the coaching staff,” he said. “You’ve got to live up to it, but it’s a good time and I really enjoy it.”

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If you want to understand why he was chosen, it starts with how he leads.

“I think I’m a really vocal guy, and I really try to create a strong bond with every single guy on the team,” Wetsch explained. “That’s the biggest thing. I’m also hard when I need to be. If something needs to be said, I’m going to say it. I just say it how it is.”

That directness is paired with approachability, a rare mix in junior hockey. “I can’t be a guy people are scared to go up to,” he said. “I’ve had captains in the past who really paved the way for what it’s like to be a captain. I learned a lot from them and from my parents too.”

In an environment where age can often separate players, Wetsch has worked to make sure the Rockets are one team, not small groups.

“I think this group’s done a phenomenal job of not doing that kind of stuff,” he said. “Everyone here is just like a family. Everyone talks to everyone. Simple things like having lunches together or meeting up after practice, we’ve done a really good job with that and everyone here feels included.”

His leadership extends beyond the rink. In Calgary, he created a community program called Carson’s Crew, which brought underprivileged kids to games and gave them a chance to meet him and the team afterward.

“I did a bunch of stuff, ‘Carson’s Crew’ where I’d bring underprivileged kids to games and then meet up with them after, sign autographs, take photos,” he said. “I did the Hockey Gives stuff too, which was sweet. I’ve done blood drives where I met random people and just talked to them because they showed up to donate. At every single event, I tried to get out there and support the community.”

The motivation is simple. “You see how the fans support us, how they come to our games and show up for us, and we’ve got to give back too,” Wetsch said. “Being able to do that and show them we’re here for them is great.”

That community involvement led to national recognition when he received the Canadian Hockey Life Bronze Award last summer. “That award is something to be proud of,” he said. “Going with Dayna Brons and her story, I was very honored to receive it. I’m excited to keep working with them this year.”

On the ice, Wetsch is built for the hard areas. A San Jose Sharks draft pick, he calls himself a power forward and takes pride in playing in front of the net.

“For all the hockey people, it’s called the house,” he said with a grin. “That’s where I probably scored 25 or 29 out of my 33 goals last year. I just kind of lived there.”

He models his game after some of the NHL’s most physical players. “I think there’s a couple, Tanner Jeannot, Tom Wilson, and Brady Tkachuk,” Wetsch said. “I really try to play like them and emulate my game off theirs.”

When Wetsch was traded from Calgary, he admits he was surprised.

“I was definitely a little shocked,” he said. “It was on WHL draft day, and they called to tell me I’d been traded to Kelowna. I’m thankful for everything Calgary did for me, but I was also super excited to come to Kelowna, especially with the Memorial Cup and the kind of talent they have here.”

Now, just a few months later, he wears the ‘C’ for a team hosting that very tournament. The story writes itself.

His parents are thrilled too, making the four-hour drive from Vancouver as often as they can.

“They’ve already been here three times,” he laughed. “It’s definitely nice to be closer to home and playing in BC again.”

Wetsch knows his WHL career is entering its final chapter, but he’s focused on making every day count.

“The biggest thing is having the mindset of taking it day by day and improving day by day,” he said. “Every day better than the last. If we live by that mindset, it’s going to be a successful season.”

Five years from now, he hopes to be in the NHL. Until then, his eyes are on leading the Rockets toward the Memorial Cup on home ice.

With Tij Iginla returning from the Utah Mammoth, Wetsch could have the chance to line up alongside the first-round NHL draft pick from two seasons ago.

“It’s not bad to have two shooters on the ice,” Wetsch said with a chuckle. “It’s never bad to have too many goal scorers. I don’t really care if he ends up shooting the puck more than me, that’s fine. Getting to play with him would be unbelievable, especially with his talent and how he sees the ice.

“I played with him a couple of times in training camp, and I feel like the chemistry is definitely there. Hopefully we can continue it into the season and get to play together.”