Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Defensive defenseman finds scoring touch

Jackson Gillespie’s stick change pays off

Jan 21, 2025 | 6:00 AM

On a whim, Kelowna Rockets defenseman Jackson Gillespie decided to try a longer stick. 

Whether it was the change or simply good fortune, it helped the second-year player net two goals in a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday night. 

“I switched to a taller stick, which gives my shot a bit more whip, so I give it credit for those two goals.” 

Both goals had a similar feel. The first came from the blue line when his wrist shot from a distance found the back of the net, and the second was a power-play goal with another wrist shot from 57 feet (17 meters) that beat T-Birds goalie Scott Ratzlaff on the glove side. 

“The first one was a bit of an open net after Ratzlaff tripped and fell, but I got the puck through. The second one was pretty cool—I faked a pass, walked down the slot, and let it go.”

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Both goals were key, one late in the first period and the other late in the second, putting the Rockets up 3-0. 

“I’m typically a pass-first guy,” Gillespie admitted. “I think it was Kalder Varga calling for it, so I looked to pass, but the defender bit hard on the fake, so I kept it, walked in, and took the shot.” 

Those two goals were Gillespie’s first-ever in the WHL and just his fourth goal in 80 career games. 

“The hardest part is finding a way to get the puck through,” he explained. “Sometimes you have to shoot it off the end boards and hope it bounces out front, or find a way to get it to the net without hitting a shin pad or stick.” 

While advancements in equipment have provided players with better protection, shot-blocking has become a critical aspect of the game, so much so that the NHL now tracks how many shots each player blocks. 

“Some teams are more committed to blocking shots, and when that happens, it’s difficult to get a shot through. You have to figure out ways to get it past a player, maybe using the boards to assist you.” 

It was the first time an American-born defenseman wearing Kelowna Rockets colours had scored two goals in a game since Jackson DeSouza of Erie, Colorado did so in a 4-2 win over the Tri-City Americans on November 19, 2022. 

“I’ve never scored two goals in a game before,” Gillespie admitted, recalling how, in minor hockey, he struggled to beat goalies. “Whenever I score, I usually think someone else tipped it, but when it’s me, I’m kind of in shock.” 

“I don’t have a goal-scoring celebration because I’m pretty surprised when it goes in. I just throw my hands up and celebrate with my teammates.” 

As Gillespie and his teammates prepare to face the Brandon Wheat Kings at Prospera Place tonight (104-7 The Lizard has the pre-game show at 6:35 pm and the play-by-play at 7:05 pm), there’s a bit of bad news. 

“I broke my stick in the third period,” he chuckled. 

“I was thinking, ‘Man, what am I going to do? I need that stick!’” 

“At the end of the day, I take pride in the defensive side of my game; that’s what I want to be known for. But it was nice to help the guys win the other night.”