Steve Dunsmoor photo

By Regan Bartel

Captain Consistency

Carson Wetsch warming up for playoff run

Mar 4, 2026 | 6:00 AM

For most of this season, Carson Wetsch, captain of the Kelowna Rockets, has quietly reshaped the way he influences a game. At 19, his development has been as much about maturity and decision-making as it has been about scoring goals.

Wetsch has always had a nose for the net, but this year his game has grown beyond that.

He is creating opportunities, controlling play, and making the players around him better.

“Give credit to my teammates where it’s due, and to the coaches for giving me freedom to show what I can do offensively,” he says. “A lot of my success comes from them.”

Head coach Derek Martin agrees, noting how Wetsch balances skill and responsibility.

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“Carson sees the ice really well and makes smart decisions with the puck. He can take over a shift, but he also makes the guys around him better,” Martin says. “Sometimes we have to split lines up just to balance the attack, and even then he adapts without complaint. That’s the sign of a player who can lead.”

Wetsch knows exactly where he thrives on the ice, the areas that lead to goals.

“That’s where I score most of my goals,” Wetsch says about parking himself just outside the oppositions crease. “When the puck pops in front, I know it’s going in.”

It is a simple, effective approach.

“Most goals are scored in front of the net,” he adds. “If I can be good there now and carry it into the professional level, that would be huge.”

Martin says that instinct is paired with work ethic.

“He’s willing to battle, willing to do the little things, and it shows on both ends of the ice. That combination is what makes him such a complete player.”

Beyond individual performance, Wetsch’s leadership has become a defining part of his game. Questions about the future and professional opportunities are always there, but he keeps his focus on the team, on the process, and on helping the group succeed.

“My focus is on this team, especially with how important each game is,” he says. “I’m trying to stay locked in with the group.”

Wetsch has spent much of the season alongside some of the Rockets’ most skilled players, building chemistry and learning to read the ice in real time with Ti Iginla. He appreciates the opportunity to play with talented teammates, but he is equally comfortable adapting when lines change.

“I’m excited to play with everyone on this team,” he says. “I feel like I can play with anyone and help make the guys on my line better. I’m not frustrated when things change. I’m comfortable wherever I’m put.”

Martin sees that adaptability as a key part of what makes Wetsch so valuable.

“He can play with anyone and still elevate the group. That flexibility keeps the team dynamic, and it gives us options in every situation.”

That adaptability has been tested this year. The team has dealt with injuries, forcing constant adjustments and new combinations. Instead of slowing down, Wetsch believes it highlights the depth and talent of the roster.

“It shows how good we really are,” he says. “We’re missing important players and we’re still finding ways to compete. It shows how much talent we have. When those players return, we’ll only be stronger.”

Martin agrees. “Even with pieces missing, Carson keeps everyone together. That’s leadership. You can’t just talk about it; you have to show it. And he does.”

For Wetsch, the stretch of the season is about more than wins or losses. It is about focus, consistency, and growth under pressure. Heading into March, the team has only nine games remaining, which features six games on home ice and just three on the road.

“The [lack of] travel is big for us. It helps with rest, especially heading into the playoffs. But it’s still a hard stretch. We have to settle in and push hard,” he says.

Sitting one point back of Prince George for third place in the Western Conference, the key is ending the season strong and leapfrogging the Cougars and hunting down Penticton for first place with time ticking down.

“There’s always a chance,” he says about catching the Vees. “If we keep winning and focus on what we can control, anything is possible.”

Martin sums up Wetsch’s impact plainly:

“He makes the people around him better. He leads by example, not by talking. That’s what a captain should do, and he’s showing everyone how it’s done.”

With under three weeks left in the regular season, the San Jose Sharks draft pick is excited for what lies ahead. It includes a long playoff run, something he experienced a season ago as a member of the Calgary Hitmen.

“This is the best kind of hockey,” he added when looking at the stretch run. “It’s the most fun. When things get hard, you really see how guys respond. I’m excited for what’s coming.”