Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Max Graham undergoes surgery

Rockets lose leader for remainder of season

Jan 27, 2025 | 4:21 PM

Kelowna Rockets 20-year-old forward Max Graham has undergone successful knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

“Losing Max for the remainder of the season is an enormous loss for the club,” said Rockets President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton. “He plays the game of hockey the right way and his presence on the ice will be missed.”

“We all wish Max makes a quick recovery from his surgery so he can fulfil his hockey pursuits.”

Graham suited up in 34 games, registering 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points this season.

Regan’s Take: Just another blow to a team that already had the unfortunate news of losing Tij Iginla to hip surgery in early December. Graham was injured January 15th in a home game against the Spokane Chiefs. On pace to earn 61 points, it would have been a career-high for a player, who was chosen in the NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils this past summer. His veteran presence will be missed on the teams number one line of Hayden Paupanekis and Jakub Stancl. For the remainder of the season, the team will play with just one overage player – Michael Cicek. Losing a key player at this time of the year is nothing new. In February of 2016, forward Nick Merkley was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL.  

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Throughout his Western Hockey League career, Graham suited up in 237 games with both the Everett Silvertips and Kelowna Rockets, scoring 56 goals and adding 133 points to go along with 328 penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Rockets in a trade with the Silvertips in August 2021.

He was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 National Hockey League Draft by the New Jersey Devils.

The Rockets have also announced that Michael Cicek, Jakub Stancl and Carter Kowalyk will be the team’s alternate captains for the remainder of the season.