Marc Habscheid with Brent Sutter Photo credit: Red Deer Rebels (Facebook)
WHL drama doesn't do days off
Things that make me go hmm…
Jun 9, 2025 | 6:00 AM
- Take a couple of weeks off, and what happens? While I was eating smoked meat in Montreal and pretending to speak perfect French in Quebec City, the junior hockey world exploded with off-ice drama. Even if you’re just a casual fan, it’s been impossible to miss. And if you’re a Rockets fan like we are, there’s a lot to digest. Let’s start with some familiar names making headlines. One former Kelowna Rockets coach is suddenly out of a job, while another is making a surprise return to the WHL. Summer is prime time for coaching shakeups, and this year’s carousel is spinning fast, both in the NHL and back here in the Western League.
- Marc Habscheid is officially back in the WHL, taking over behind the bench in Red Deer. The Rebels, like the Rockets, missed the playoffs last season, and their GM, Brent Sutter, wasted no time shaking things up. Out went David Struch, in came Habscheid. Now 62, Habscheid has a coaching passport that is well-stamped: Kamloops, Kelowna, Chilliwack (remember them?), Victoria, Prince Albert, and most recently, a stint overseas in Vienna. He’s won a WHL title with the Raiders in 2019 and, of course, led the Rockets to a Memorial Cup win in 2004. Now, he’s teaming up with a GM like Sutter, who, let’s say, doesn’t whisper his opinions. Both guys have strong personalities and a no-nonsense style.
- Meanwhile, Dan Lambert is suddenly out in Calgary. The Flames let him go quietly after two seasons as an assistant under Ryan Huska. Not a huge shock across the NHL, but worth noting for Rockets fans. Lambert was the guy behind the bench when Kelowna won the WHL championship in 2015. He’s still got a year left on his NHL deal, so there’s no rush—but don’t be surprised if he pops up somewhere new soon. Whether it’s another NHL gig, back in junior, or even some time off, he’s got options.
- While a couple of former coaches are switching things up, one of the most familiar names from Rockets history is taking a big step forward, this time behind the bench. Brett McLean, Kelowna’s all-time points leader, is now part of the Vancouver Canucks coaching staff. He’s an assistant to Adam Foote, who took over as head coach after Rick Tocchet packed up and headed to Philadelphia to coach the Flyers. Foote might not have a ton of pro coaching experience, but he’s diving in, and now he’s got McLean riding shotgun. If you’ve been following the Rockets for a while, you know how good McLean was. He was on the scoresheet for years, and earlier this season Andrew Cristall looked like he might catch him until he was traded to Spokane at the deadline. That pretty much locked McLean’s name in the record books forever, as the changing landscape likely won’t see a marquee player gearing up with a WHL team for 4 + seasons, enabling him to put up massive offensive totals. Back when he was playing, McLean used to spend his summers in Kelowna. But since getting into coaching in 2017, he hasn’t been around much which happens when you’re climbing the ranks and juggling being a dad and husband. He got his start in the Minnesota Wild organization and clearly made an impression. This gig with the Canucks is a big one, and if he keeps trending up, don’t be surprised if he becomes the first former Rockets player to land an NHL head coaching job. McLean’s always had the smarts and the personality. Now he’s got the opportunity. Keep an eye on him.
- From foe to fit? Dave Lowry is out in Seattle. The 56-year-old has been let go as an assistant coach with the NHL’s Kraken, but don’t expect him to be unemployed for long. In fact, could Kelowna be calling? The Rockets are on the hunt for a new head coach, and Lowry checks a lot of the right boxes. He’s been around the block with both NHL and WHL experience. He’s led teams like the Calgary Hitmen, Victoria Royals, and Brandon Wheat King, his last WHL stop coming in 2019. There’s a bit of history here, too. Lowry has been on the wrong end of several Rockets playoff heartbreaks. He coached the Hitmen team that fell to Kelowna in the 2009 WHL final. He was also behind the bench for that wild Game 7 when Justin Kirkland scored a last-second buzzer-beater to knock out Lowry’s Royals. And while he’s not exactly old-school, Lowry brings a bit of edge, something GM Bruce Hamilton might find appealing. He’s a hard-nosed, no-nonsense guy who knows how to win. Smart. Tough. Proven. And heck, if you can’t beat ’em, do you join ’em?
- You don’t see it much anymore, and that’s kind of a shame. The classic slap shot from the point is becoming a bit of a dying art in major junior hockey. With so much focus now on blocking shots, offensive defensemen have had to adapt. Instead of winding up for the big blast, they’re more likely to wait out a defender, pick a lane, and let go a wrist or snap shot hoping for a screen or rebound instead of raw power. But every now and then, you get a reminder of how awesome the big shot can be. Watching Evan Bouchard rip his ‘Bouchard Bomb’ from the blue line in the Stanley Cup Playoffs has been unreal. When it gets through, it’s a laser. And if it doesn’t? Well, someone’s getting hit, usually an unlucky forward in the shooting lane who ends up with a bruise that might last until August. It got me thinking: when’s the last time the Rockets had that kind of threat from the point? Honestly, you probably have to go back to Cal Foote in 2018-2019. He scored 19 that year and could hammer the puck. Since then, we’ve seen plenty of smart defensemen and great puck movement but that booming, one-time cannon? It’s been a while. Here’s hoping we see the return of the bomb on Kelowna’s back end soon.
- It’s a big moment for Hayden Paupanekis. The 18-year-old, who came to the Rockets in the Andrew Cristall trade back in January, took part in the NHL Combine this past weekend, which is a strong sign he’s on the radar heading into this month’s NHL Draft. While the Combine includes all the classic physical testing (think: bike sprints, strength drills, body measurements), the real challenge for Paupanekis might come off the ice in the interview room. Teams want more than just numbers. They’re looking for character, personality, and a sense of how a player might fit in their locker room. NHL brass want someone who’s approachable, coachable, and confident not just skilled. The upside? This kind of exposure is huge. Whether it’s how fast you skate or how well you handle a pressure question, everything counts, and every impression matters.
- Tij Iginla and Carson Wetsch were both front and center at the 2024 NHL Combine in Buffalo, and they definitely made the most of it. Iginla, who’s all but guaranteed to be Kelowna’s captain this season, put on a show in the fitness testing. He cracked the top 10 in a bunch of categories, including VO2 max, pull-ups, squat jump, and no-arm vertical jump. Bottom line: the guy’s built like a pro and plays like one, too. Meanwhile, Carson Wetsch, the newest Rocket, picked up in a trade with Calgary last month was also at the event and made his own impression. He didn’t go quite as high in the draft as Iginla, but still heard his name called by the San Jose Sharks in the third round. Two Rockets, one big stage. Not a bad look for the program.
- One of the most noticeable throwbacks inside Prospera Place is finally being replaced. The old score clock, which felt like a high-tech marvel when the building opened in 1999 after four seasons at the Memorial Arena is coming down. In its place? A brand-new scoreboard, currently being assembled as part of a major $5.1 million facelift funded by the City of Kelowna. It’s one of several big upgrades aimed at refreshing the rink ahead of the 2026 Memorial Cup, which the Rockets will host. And while improvements like sound and lighting may not be as obvious at first glance, a shiny new centre-hung scoreboard will be front and centre the moment fans walk through the doors. For longtime Rockets fans, it’s a bit of a full-circle moment. The old scoreboard was cutting-edge in its day, but after 25 years, it’s time for a fresh look to match the next generation of big-game hockey in Kelowna.
- Mark your calendars, hockey’s coming back. The Kelowna Rockets will kick off the new WHL season with a home game against the Spokane Chiefs. Every team announced their home openers last week, with the full league schedule dropping later this month. One thing we already know? Don’t expect to see Tij Iginla or Berkly Catton on opening night. Both are 19 and should be sticking around NHL camps well into the fall. As for the rest of the early schedule, a few things have already popped out: the Rockets will be the first opponent for the expansion Penticton Vees, making that the first road trip of the year. And they’ll also play spoiler in Victoria, visiting the Royals for their home opener in late September. So while we wait for the full schedule, one thing’s for sure, September’s going to get busy in a hurry.
- I just got back from two weeks in Quebec, and no, I wasn’t in Rimouski for the Memorial Cup. Instead, my wife Diana and I were off celebrating our 30th anniversary with a little tour of Quebec City and Montreal. The biggest surprise? Not the amazing food (though my double chin says otherwise) or the friendly people, it was taking VIA Rail between the two cities. If you ever get the chance, do it. Super comfortable, beautiful scenery, and way less hassle than flying. Honestly, it was one of the highlights of the trip.
- So in summary, former coaches reappear and disappear. Dave Lowry should be on the radar and Prospera Place’s old score-clock is going to the graveyard. Note to self: Never take vacation in late-May.
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