Photo credit: Vancouver Giants

By Regan Bartel

Making moves with purpose

Rockets act early, add Halaburda and Alcos ahead of WHL deadline

Jan 7, 2026 | 6:00 AM

The Kelowna Rockets didn’t wait for the WHL trade deadline to arrive before making their move.

Instead, they leaned into it.

Two days ahead of Thursday’s deadline, the Rockets completed a pair of trades Tuesday that addressed immediate needs while keeping one eye firmly on the bigger picture. Forward Ty Halaburda was acquired from the Vancouver Giants, while defenseman Parker Alcos came over from the Edmonton Oil Kings, giving Kelowna added experience up front and size and stability on the back end.

“Both deals came together in short order,” Rockets Assistant General Manager Curtis Hamilton told RocketFAN. “With Edmonton, they were working on another trade, and once that was done, they were open to this. It was similar for us. When you’re moving a good young player, you want to make sure you’re getting a real impact player back.”

That impact, in the first deal, comes in the form of Halaburda, a 20-year-old forward with 283 WHL games under his belt and a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable faceoff men.

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“If he wasn’t available, he’d still be one of the best 20 year old forwards in the league,” Hamilton said. “He’s one of the best faceoff guys in the league too, and we put value in that. Between him and the draft picks involved, it made sense for us.”

The move also allowed former Rocket Will Sharpe to return closer to home.

“Giving Will a chance to go home and play was important too,” Hamilton said. “He’ll likely get an opportunity on their top pairing and play with a good defenseman. Anytime you have to trade a player, it’s tough, but if you can put him in a good spot, that’s best case.”

For Kelowna, Halaburda fills an important role, not just because of his age, but because of how he plays.

“He’s been productive since he came into the league,” Hamilton said. “He skates really well, he can score, he helps the power play, and he’ll help the penalty kill too. What he really gives the coaches is flexibility with the top nine, who plays center, who plays wing, and how they want to use guys.”

There was also familiarity.

Halaburda is close with Mazden Leslie, and Hamilton admits the Rockets have seen plenty of him over the years, often wishing they hadn’t.

“We play Vancouver enough times that, honestly, you don’t like him a lot of nights,” Hamilton chuckled. “He has an impact. He plays with bite and passion, and you can never have enough guys like that. Guys who are motivated to go out and win.”

The importance of filling the 20 year old spot isn’t lost on Hamilton either. While some teams have navigated this season without using all three overagers, he’s seen firsthand the effect experienced players can have inside the room.

“When we acquired Shane Smith, there was an immediate impact,” Hamilton said. “Just how he operates day to day, in practice, around the rink, during games. You forget how much experience matters until you have it. We expect Ty to bring the same kind of presence.”

Hamilton also stressed that motivation wasn’t a concern.

“The first thing he [Halaburda] said was he was excited to get a chance to play for a championship,” Hamilton said. “That’s music to everyone’s ears. We think he’ll have a real positive impact on our group.”

The second deal addressed a different need.

Defenseman Parker Alcos arrives from Edmonton at 19 years old, a right shot blueliner standing 6 foot 4 and already drafted by the Vancouver Canucks.

“He doesn’t really grow on trees,” Hamilton said. “NHL drafted defensemen don’t become available very often.”

While Alcos may not bring the same offensive numbers as Sharpe, Hamilton believes his game fits what the Rockets were looking for.

“He skates really well, he’s a good shutdown guy, he’s got a great stick,” Hamilton said. “We like having balance on the back end, left shot, right shot, and he helps us there. We think he’ll round out our top four.”

Hamilton added that the Rockets weren’t looking to manufacture offense from the blue line.

“We feel we have enough offensive power up front,” he said. “We were looking more for a defender. Parker helps on the penalty kill, at five on five, and if he can contribute on the second power play unit, that’s a bonus.”

The trade also included Kelowna’s first round pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, a move made possible by new rules and the organization’s longer term planning.

“We’re in a different position,” Hamilton said. “We’re planning on bringing back both Czech forwards and potentially the goalie next year, so moving that pick made sense rather than moving a higher pick in our own draft.”

With multiple new faces arriving, patience becomes part of the equation.

“It takes time,” Hamilton said. “There will be ups and downs. We’ve added a lot of players, even from last season to now, and some younger guys are still learning. On paper it looks good, but you still have to let it come together.”

Hamilton also pushed back on the idea that the Rockets have tinkered too much.

“This has been part of the plan for a while,” he said. “Since the draft and even last year’s deadline, we’ve been adding important pieces. It takes time, but things are coming together.”

Despite the additions, the Rockets have managed to retain key future assets, something Hamilton takes pride in.

“First-round picks are hard to recoup,” he said, noting the Rockets still hold first-round selections in 2026, 2027 and 2029. “If you’re trading one, it has to be for a real impact player. Keeping those picks keeps us competitive not just this year, but moving forward.”

And if the deadline passed with the roster exactly as it stands now?

“I think we’d be good with it,” Hamilton said. “We feel we’ve put together solid lines, depth on defense, and a group that can compete in the playoffs. The goal is to win the Western League. Everything else comes after that.”

Two moves. Two needs addressed.

And the Rockets didn’t wait for the clock to force its hand.