Photo credit: Contributed

By Regan Bartel

Rookie at the ready

All-American goalie set to lead Kelowna Rockets to glory

May 14, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The Western Hockey League didn’t feature a single American-born goaltender among its 22 teams during the 2024–25 season. That’s about to change this fall when 17-year-old Harry Boettinger, born in Denver, Colorado, suits up for the Kelowna Rockets. 

Boettinger was part of the return package in the January trade that sent Caden Price to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The deal included Boettinger’s playing rights, fellow prospect Wil Sharpe, and a first-round WHL Prospects Draft pick. 

“I had been talking to my agent about getting my rights traded,” Boettinger told RocketFAN. Originally selected by the Hurricanes in the 2022 U.S. Prospects Draft, he recalled, “He told me a couple of teams were interested, but Kelowna wasn’t one of them. A day or two before the trade was finalized, he called me and said Kelowna is working on a deal with you. 

“I didn’t know much about Kelowna,” he admitted. “I did some research and found out that they are the Memorial Cup hosts next year, and a pretty good organization, so I am stoked that it [the trade] went through, and I was really happy.” 

His other path was college hockey. “My other option was to go to the University of Denver,” Boettinger shared. “But I think I am a little too young and I wouldn’t play enough games. In talking to my agent, Kelowna realizes that and it is why they traded for me because they were confident that I would play for them.” 

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Boettinger is already looking forward to his new home. He plans to tour Kelowna next month to soak in what makes the Okanagan Valley one of the most scenic regions in North America. 

“I was up in Canada this past year for the CHL/USA Top Prospects Game, so I got a taste of Ontario when I was up there,” he said. “I also know Blake Fiddler, who lived in Kelowna for a couple of years, so he told me a lot about it. I am excited to get out there.” 

Boettinger holds no grudges toward Lethbridge, who chose him in the first round, 4th overall,  but admits Kelowna simply felt like a better fit. 

“I think it was just location,” he said. “I love their general manager [Pete Anholt] and all that, but the location wasn’t ideal and they are trying to win right now by keeping all their assets into winning this season, and next season is a big season for me, so I want to be on a good team.” 

Most American players don’t grow up dreaming about the Memorial Cup. The WHL is known as a strong development path to the NHL, but the CHL’s coveted trophy isn’t often top of mind. Boettinger admitted he was no exception — until recently. 

“I will be quite honest; I didn’t know too much about it before I got traded,” he said. “I play a video game – NHL 25 – so it has the Memorial Cup in it, but I didn’t know how big it was, or how important it was. I have more of an understanding now.” 

Since 1983, the Memorial Cup tournament has included a host team alongside the champions of the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL. Kelowna will host the event for the first time since 2004, with Prospera Place serving as the venue for the national championship. 

“I have friends that have played in the WHL, and they have nothing but good things to say about it,” Boettinger added. “It is a real professional league, and it has a lot of exposure for getting to where you want to go.” 

And for Boettinger, that destination is clear: the NHL. A fan of the Colorado Avalanche, his favorite player is soon-to-retire netminder Marc-André Fleury. 

“I don’t play like him at all,” he said with a chuckle. “I like the energy he brings. The positivity and he is always smiling and makes it look so fun and easy.” 

While he has no connections to NHL stardom, Boettinger does have a tie to the world of pro sports — his uncle is William DeWitt, president of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Now, his attention turns to training camp in Kelowna, where he’s aiming to seize the starting goaltending job. He’ll need to outduel veteran overager Rhett Stoesser and 19-year-old Jake Pilon. 

“These past two seasons, we had three goalies on the roster,” Boettinger said of his time with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. “We were basically rotating a three-goalie system, so I didn’t play that many games the past couple of years. That is one thing I am hoping to do with the Rockets is play more games, which would be unreal.” 

Boettinger has packed a lot of hockey into his young life. Born December 11, 2007, he played in St. Louis at thirteen, then spent two seasons at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota — a school famous for producing NHL stars. 

“I heard a lot about it [Shattuck], and with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon going there, and without much thought into it, I just thought it would be a good place to go. It obviously worked out.” 

Leaving home at such a young age meant growing up fast. Living in dorms, sharing rooms, and handling bouts of homesickness were part of the experience. One of his roommates was Vancouver Giants forward Aaron Obobaifo. 

“Coming into training camp in the fall, we can all make each other better,” he added about the goalie competition. “I have never been to a WHL training camp before, so it will be a first for me, but I am hoping to show what I can do and help the team.” 

With his NHL draft year ahead, Boettinger knows the spotlight will only grow brighter. 

“I am sure there will be quite a bit of pressure from myself and outside noise,” he said.

“I would say I have dealt with a lot of pressure in my short hockey career, so I think I can turn it into a good thing.”