Nearly 20 alumni from Kamloops, Kelowna hockey teams vying for the Stanley Cup

If you're a Western Hockey League fan, there will be plenty of familiar names who once graced local rinks when the National Hockey League playoffs begin again Aug. 1. 

The list of former Kelowna Rockets is impressive. The Vancouver Canucks have two Kelowna Rockets alumni in Alexander Edler and Tyler Myers, while a Kamloops Blazers alumni, Devan Dubnyk will be playing against them in the first round play-in.

Some other Kelowna Rockets alumni playing in the NHL playoffs include Mikael Backlund and Dillon Dube with the Calgary Flames, Leon Draisaitl with the Edmonton Oilers, Josh Morrissey with the Winnipeg Jets, Shea Weber with the Montreal Canadiens and Tyson Barrie with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jamie Benn and Blake Comeau are playing for the Dallas Stars, Luke Schenn is with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Duncan Keith is playing for the Chicago Blackhawks and Gage Quinney is with the Vegas Golden Knights.

A player with the Nashville Predators, Colton Sissons, had previously played with the Rockets as well as the West Kelowna Warriors of the B.C. Junior Hockey League.

The West Kelowna Warriors also boast alumni Justin Schultz, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

If you’re a Kamloops Blazers fan, there’s plenty of alumni to watch for during the playoffs. Devan Dubnyk now plays with the Minnesota Wild, Connor Ingram is with the Nashville Predators and Joel Edmundson plays for the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blazers also share alumni Gage Quinney with the Kelowna Rockets.


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Jenna Wheeler

Jenna Wheeler is a writer at heart. She has always been naturally curious about what matters to the people in her community. That’s why it was an obvious decision to study journalism at Durham College, where she enjoyed being an editor for the student newspaper, The Chronicle. She has since travelled across Canada, living in small towns in the Rockies, the Coast Mountains, and tried out the big city experience. She is passionate about sustainability, mental health, and the arts. When she’s not reporting, she’s likely holed up with a good book and her cat Ace.