Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Kayden Longley defying the naysayers

Underdog Player Aims for Glory Against All Odds

Oct 25, 2024 | 7:00 AM

Being picked last in gym class can be a humiliating experience. 

Kayden Longley, a Kelowna Rockets forward, experienced the humbling feeling of being selected last in the 2021 WHL Prospect Draft, yet he channeled that initial disappointment into motivation to succeed.

Chosen in the 13th round, 281st overall, the pride of Wainright, Alberta can’t put his thumb on why he was passed over so many times before finally having his name plucked off the board. 

“I have no idea,” Longley told RocketFAN after practice this week. “Looking back, I had a good year [bantam draft year] with a good team. We won the CSSHL championship, so I honestly don’t know what happened. Playing bantam [hockey] here in Kelowna, knowing the area, it was a proud moment for me and my family.” 

Naturally, with time ticking down and more teams passing on making a selection late in the draft, Longley questioned too if he might be overlooked. 

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“A little bit of doubt filled my mind,” he admitted. “I think having a bit of chip on my shoulder with guys I played with and played against getting picked a few rounds before me has motivated me to put in that work and effort.” 

Longley didn’t let the snubs deter him from playing in the WHL. In fact, he suited up for eight games in the 2022-2023 season, called up originally for six games in February of that year before returning in March to score his first career goal against the Vancouver Giants in a 3-2 road loss.  

“It was definitely a different style of hockey,” he added when looking back at playing a few games as an affiliated player at 16. “It is so much faster. Even the day to day is different than I am used to. Now in my second full-season, it is coming a little easier now, knowing what to do, the pace of play, and knowing what I need to do to be successful.” 

In a limited role last season, Longley appeared in 45 games, scoring seven times and collecting 14 points. This season, with just 11 games under his belt, the 18-year-old has nine points and had a six-game point streak snapped Wednesday night in a 4-3 shootout loss to the visiting Victoria Royals. 

“When I was younger, I was taught to be a two-way player,” he said. “I want to be a 200-foot player. I take pride in my plus-minus especially, and not getting scored on. Everyone knows that defense wins championships, so concentrating on that has allowed me to be rewarded lately [offensively].” 

Playing on a line that features rookie Jakub Stancl, the two have found some chemistry in the early going. 

“He does a great job of supporting me when I have the puck,” he said about Stancl, who is a fourth-round NHL draft pick of the St. Louis Blues. “We read well off each other and we seem to be in the right spots for each other. I don’t take for granted playing with a guy of that caliber, and he has helped me with the good start I’ve had this season.” 

Named the Rockets sportsmanlike player of the year last April, Longley made just one trip to the penalty box last season. He was accessed a two-minute minor for roughing against the Prince George Cougars. It marked the first time a skater, playing in over 40 regular season games, earned only one trip to the penalty box since forward Ethan Ernst took a single minor in 61 regular season games in the 2018-2019 campaign.

Longley has already taken one penalty this season, again for roughing against the Cougars.

“I think I do a better job of preparing for games now,” Longley added about his growth as a player. “Caden Price is like a pro off the ice. You learn things from guys like that, implement them in your own game and how you prepare for them.

“Sixty-eight [regular season] games is a lot, and you need to take care of your body, so you are better prepared for each practice and game.”

Longley and the Rockets host the Moose Jaw Warriors tonight at Prospera Place. You can stream the game right here at RocketFAN or listen to the pre-game show at 6:35 pm on 104-7 The Lizard.