Tim Petruk

4 days ago | castanet.net | Wayne Moore |Cindy White |Casey Richardson |Tim Petruk

- | Story: 557794The Kelowna Rockets will pick at the top of the CHL import draft for the first time in franchise history. The Rockets secured the Number 1 overall pick Monday in a deal with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Rockets sent the Warriors their second round import pick along with a 2026 first round and 2027 third round pick in the WHL prospects draft. With the deal, the Rockets now hold the first, seventh and 132nd overall selections.

5 days ago | castanet.net | Cindy White |Casey Richardson |Tim Petruk |Michael Potestio

A young American goaltender has been signed to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement by the Kelowna Rockets. Harrison Boettiger, 17, from Wheat Ridge, Colorado, was originally selected 4th overall by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the 2022 U.S. priority draft. The Rockets acquired the rights to the 6’2”, 186-pound netminder this past January as part of the Caden Price trade, which also brought in defenseman William Sharpe and multiple draft picks.

1 week ago | castanet.net | Casey Richardson |Tim Petruk |Michael Potestio

Heading into their first season of the Western Hockey League, the Penticton Vees introduced their scouting staff on Tuesday. The Vees said their 11-member team has people across Western Canada and the United States, from Manitoba to California. The goal for the group is to identify and recruit talent as the Vees embark on their inaugural WHL campaign. “We’re thrilled to welcome this outstanding group to our scouting team,” director of scouting Adam Sergerie said in a news release.

1 week ago | castanetkamloops.net | Tim Petruk

A repeat prohibited driver has been ordered to spend more than a month behind bars following his sixth conviction for the offence. Stanley Andrew James Hlatky, 61, pleaded guilty Thursday in Kamloops provincial court to one count of driving while prohibited. Court heard a Mountie patrolling Chase on Jan. 6 pulled over an older-model Ford F-150 after watching it roll through a stop sign. The driver was identified as Hlatky, who has been prohibited since 2011.

1 week ago | castanetkamloops.net | Tim Petruk

A man who brandished scissors while holding up two Kamloops corner stores in a three-day span has been ordered to spend a year and a half behind bars. Jared Spencer Leach, 34, was sentenced Thursday in Kamloops provincial court after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery and a breach of probation charge. Court heard Leach walked into the Canco on Tranquille Road on Oct. 9 and grabbed a number of snack items before approaching the till and asking for cigarettes.