Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

20 year-old leads team in scoring

Shane Smith carries a lethal stick

Jan 12, 2026 | 6:00 AM

Shane Smith’s shot is fast, accurate, and quickly becoming one of the most feared in the Western Hockey League. Every time he winds up, goalies know trouble is coming. This season, the 20-year-old forward is on pace to score 40 goals as an overage player, putting him in rare company among Kelowna Rockets legends.

Across the league, Shane Smith and Ryder Evers of the Penticton Vees each have 24 goals, trailing Miroslav Holinka of the Edmonton Oil Kings by just two goals for the lead among players in their final season of junior eligibility.

Smith was acquired on November 9th from the Lethbridge Hurricanes, along with the rights to 18-year-old European Vojtech Cihar. Since joining the Rockets, he has become a key piece on a team that is starting to click, even after the trade deadline.

“We start to stack up wins, and that’s when you really begin to see the kind of team you have,” Smith said in advance of his 21st birthday on Wednesday.

He is now playing alongside Tomas Poletin and Vojtech Cihar, two players who starred for the Czech Republic at the World Juniors.

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“It’s super, super exciting. Obviously, it’s a pretty great opportunity for me,” Smith said. “Poly has solidified himself in this league already as a pretty high-end player. And then Cihar, coming off MVP at the World Juniors, I’m super thankful for the opportunity and just try to make the most of it.”

Only a handful of Rockets overagers have reached the kind of scoring pace Smith is on. Carsen Twarynski tallied 45 goals in 2017-18, Tyson Baillie scored 43 in 2015-16, and Myles Bell recorded 42 in 2013-14. Smith’s combination of skill, speed, and smart decision-making makes him a forward any goalie dreads.

“It’s exciting to see what we can do as a team,” he said. “We’ve been building chemistry, getting to know each other, and making sure everyone is comfortable playing their role. That helps all of us perform at our best.”

Since joining the Rockets, Smith has impressed not only with his scoring but also with his work ethic.

“I try to play a hard, two-way game and do my part in all areas,” he said. “It complements my teammates and makes it easier to create chances together.”

The Rockets have three 20 year-olds that can make an impact. Ty Halaburda was added last Tuesday from Vancouver and Mazden Leslie came over from the Giants in a mid-summer trade.

“We’ve added a lot of good players this season, and that makes it easier to get chemistry going,” he said. “It takes time, but when everyone starts clicking, it shows on the ice.”

Road trips and off-ice time help the team gel as well.

“Even in the hotels and on the bus, you get to know the guys better, see their habits, and figure out how to play with each other. That kind of connection makes a big difference during games,” Smith said.

Smith’s quick release and precise shot make him a player to watch every game. His scoring ability gives the Rockets a legitimate weapon in tight games and a player who can change the outcome with a single play.

“An elite team can play any type of game,” he said. “You can handle fast, high-scoring teams, and you can also play hard-nosed, low-scoring games. That’s what makes a team capable of going all the way.”

With a full roster now in place after the trade deadline, the Rockets are starting to show they have championship pedigree. After scoring four goals Saturday night in Portland, the first Rockets forward to do so since Andrew Cristall in February 2023, Smith’s play has cemented him as a cornerstone of a team with serious postseason aspirations.

“When everyone knows their role and chemistry starts to click, that’s when you can tell if you have a championship team.”