Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Future between the pipes

Linden Sobocan’s WHL moment

Nov 28, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Linden Sobocan is living the kind of dream a lot of young hockey players only hope for. At just 16, the goalie from Cochrane, Alberta, has been called up to the Kelowna Rockets to back up the team while Harrison Boettiger is off playing for Team CHL at the USA Prospects Challenge Games. For Sobocan, every practice, every moment is a chance to see what it’s really like at the WHL level.

“I was playing U15 prep with OHA Penticton, and the [2024] draft came around. The Rockets announced my name in the 3rd round. I was so excited. It was an honour,” he told RocketFAN during an interview in Spokane on Wednesday during the pre-game skate.

Getting picked by the Rockets was a huge moment for him and a big step in his hockey journey.

The first camp with the Rockets was a mix of nerves and excitement.

“I went to camp, met all the guys. It was a big step up, but I had loads of fun. Next camp, I got signed. It was a huge honour,” Sobocan said.

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Leaving home at 14 to billet in Penticton wasn’t easy.

“It was tough, but I had a great billet family, and my parents called every day. That really helped,” he said.

Sobocan leaned on his billet family and his own maturity to get through that first year away from home.

Hockey in Cochrane played a big role in getting him ready for this level.

“Cochrane is huge on hockey,” he continued. “We have our own academy there. I trained with guys who were better than me, and that’s a big part of how I got to where I am because you always want to be not the best one on the ice, so you’re getting better and striving to be that good,” he said.

Even though he’s big for a goalie, Sobocan knows he can’t rely on size alone.

“Being big (6’4) obviously means I cover more of the net, but a big part of it means I have to be a better skater than everyone else, which I’ve been working hard on too,” he said.

“Just in the room alone, the maturity level is unreal. All these guys, they have a goal and they’re all working really hard to get to it, and they’re all helping each other out. And then on the ice for sure, this is such fast hockey. Even when you’re used to it, you’re still kind of in awe about what’s going on out there, but just trying to get more used to it every day, trying to get a bit better,” he said.

Listen the audio of Regan Bartel’s conversation with the well-spoken goalie:

One of Sobocan’s biggest strengths is talking to his teammates.

“I talk to the team because I can see things they can’t see. My rebound control is solid, and I shake off goals quickly,” he said.

He also looks up to NHL goalies for inspiration.

“Connor Hellebuyck knows how to use his size, which I really like. And Frederik Andersen, he wasn’t the biggest, but he’s a great skater. Those two are guys I look up to,” he said.

Even the guys on the Rockets have helped him get comfortable.

“He’s [Josh Banini] been talking to me quite a bit, which has been great. These are really grown men, so you’re a bit nervous being a 16-year-old, but all the guys have been really nice, especially Banini. We had a goalie ice and he was showing me the ropes a bit,” he said.

Looking ahead, Linden just wants to keep learning and helping the team.

“Just get used to the speed in practice, pregame skates, be working my butt off, trying to get these guys ready for the game. Just be supportive of the guys. They need six big points here this weekend, so just helping them get that any way I can. Love it,” he said.

And when you ask him what he really wants from his time in the WHL, he keeps it simple:

“I want to be here. I’m gonna work my butt off to be here.”