(Image Credit: Steve Dunsmoor)
By Regan Bartel
Owen Hayden sent to T-Birds

Rockets deal young d-man to Seattle

Jun 29, 2026 | 4:13 PM

The Kelowna Rockets and Seattle Thunderbirds, who often meet in the playoffs and also do business off the ice, completed a trade.

Kelowna has sent 2009-born defenceman Owen Hayden, a 2026 CHL Import Draft second-round pick (112th overall), and a 2028 fourth-round pick to Seattle. In return, the Rockets receive a 2026 CHL Import Draft first-round pick (33rd overall), a 2028 first-round pick (PA), and a 2027 third-round pick (PA).

Hayden, 17, is a 6’7”, 216-pound left-shot defenceman from Calgary. He was selected ninth overall by Kelowna in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft and played 44 games this past season. He also helped Canada Red win gold at the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

“Owen came to us looking for a new opportunity, and we were able to find a deal that works for both sides. We’re happy with the return,” said Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton in a press release.

REGAN’S TAKE: It is safe to say Hayden read the tea leaves and knew, even in his second season in 2026-2027 his time would be limited in earning more ice time with the Rockets in his crucial draft season. Hayden was the only 16-year-old rookie on the team this past season, and with the second-oldest roster and the team in win mode, the fact that the coaches were able to get him into a WHL-promised 40+ games was impressive.

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Personally, I got to know Hayden very well as the big strapping D-man sat either directly behind me or kitty-corner from me on the team bus. We often talked, and he was a terrific interviewee for such a young player. Maturity-wise, he is way beyond his years.

I wish him the best and am looking forward to featuring him in an interview on our first Rockets broadcast against the T-Birds.

The Rockets thank Hayden for his time in Kelowna and wish him the best in Seattle.

With this move, Kelowna now holds three picks in the 2026 CHL Import Draft, including the No. 33 pick from Seattle and the No. 178 pick previously acquired from Edmonton in the Parker Alcos trade.

With imports Vojtech Cihar and Tomas Poletin both expected back next season, the Rockets will assess their import situation heading into the draft, with the option of adding a third European player.

by Regan Bartel

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