Rhett Stoesser in action last season vs. Kelowna Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Three in the crease

Rockets add new goalie with veteran pedigree

Nov 21, 2024 | 2:09 PM

Kelowna Rockets press release:

The Kelowna Rockets announced today they have acquired goaltender Rhett Stoesser from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round selection and a 2027 fourth-round selection in the WHL Prospects Draft.

“We’re excited to bring Rhett to Kelowna,” said Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton. “We like his size and his compete in the net.”

Stoesser, 19, has played parts of three seasons with the Rebels. The Cremona, Alberta native has played in 65 games over those three seasons with his best statistically coming in 2022-23 where he played in 25 games and registered a 2.35 goals-against-average as well as a .910 save percentage to go along with a 19-6-0-0 record. His season earned him the nod as the goaltender for the Western Hockey League’s Central Division first-team all-star.

Regan’s Take: The crease gets a little more crowded, but often, competition is a good thing. Now, with three goalies, Jari Kykkanen (20), Stoesser (19), and Jake Pilon (18), something has to give unless they go with the carousel like they’ve done in the past. It is a clear indicator that management isn’t content with what is currently in place, and that neither goalie has played to the level they had envisioned heading into the season. While goalies don’t need to steal games, it is an added bonus and timely saves are crucial for a team that has enough firepower to compete against the best teams in the WHL.

Rockets face road test in games 3 and 4

Goaltending, discipline and depth driving 2-0 series lead over Blazers

Mar 30, 2026

Rockets DOA. Dominate. Overcome. Achieve

Things that make me go hmm....

Feb 02, 2026

Too good to ignore, too hated to care

Kelowna Rockets: The team the Internet loves to hate

Jan 13, 2026

In his career, Stoesser has a 2.77 goals-against-average as well as a .899 save percentage with a career record of 33-21-2-4 and five shutouts. He’s played in seven games this season for the Rebels, going 2-2-1-1.