Petruk will not return to Rockets for 20-year-old season

Rockets, Petruk part ways

Photo: Kelowna Rockets

Andrew Petruk

Overager Andrew Petruk will not be joining the Kelowna Rockets on their run to next year’s Memorial Cup.

The WHL club announced Friday that Petruk had cleared WHL waivers and will not be returning to Kelowna.

The 20-year-old Surrey product put up one goal and three assists in 25 games for the Rockets last season after he was acquired in a trade with the Everett Silvertips in January.

Petruk played parts of three seasons with Everett before being dealt to Kelowna.

“The Kelowna Rockets thank Andrew for his contributions to the organization and wish him the best in his future endeavours,” reads a statement from the club.

The Rockets will host the 2026 Memorial Cup.

Kamloops Blazers to host Spokane Chiefs in 2025-26 WHL season opener at Sandman Centre

Blazers open against Chiefs

Photo: Larry Brunt

Kamloops Blazers goalie Logan Edmonstone turned aside 40 shots in a losing effort in Spokane on Jan. 4 against the Chiefs.

The Kamloops Blazers will open their 2025-26 WHL regular season at home in September against the Spokane Chiefs.

The blue and orange capped off last season with a 24-39-4-1 record with 53 points, good for 10th in the WHL's Western Conference — just ahead of just the Kelowna Rockets and 12 points out of a playoff spot.

Spokane placed third in the conference last season and had the Blazers’ number, going 4-1 in five regular season games.

Kamloops is coming off back-to-back losing seasons after hosting the Memorial Cup in 2023, making it to the third round of the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 and winning four straight division titles between 2020 and 2023.

The home and season opener will be at 6 p.m. at Sandman Centre on Sept. 20.

It will be game two for the Chiefs, who will open the Rockets’ season the night before.

The full WHL schedule and pre season schedule will be released later this month.

Photo: Kamloops Blazers

The Kamloops Blazers open their 2025-26 campaign against the Spokane Chiefs — a team they beat just once last season.

Penticton Vees first official regular season WHL game will take place against the Victoria Royals

Vees first WHL games set

Photo: Contributed

Penticton Vees unveil their first games in the WHL

September will kick off the Penticton Vees' first season in the Western Hockey League, and their first games have been announced for the 2025-26 season.

The newest WHL team begins its journey on the road, with its first regular-season game set for Friday, Sept. 19, against the Victoria Royals on Vancouver Island.

Penticton will then travel to face the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sept. 20.

The Vees' home opener will take place on Friday, Sept. 26, at the South Okanagan Events Centre against the Kelowna Rockets, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.

"This game marks a historic milestone for the Vees, as it will be their first-ever home game in the WHL and the official start of their inaugural season in the league. The matchup against the Kelowna Rockets—hosts of the upcoming 2026 Memorial Cup—adds further excitement to what promises to be a memorable night for fans and the community," the team shared in a press release.

Fans will get details on the upcoming home opener festivities in the coming weeks, and the full 2025-26 WHL regular season schedule is expected to be released later in June.

Season tickets for the Vees’ inaugural WHL season are on sale now, starting at just $14 per game. More details and tickets can be found at www.valleyfirsttix.com.

Photo: Contributed

Penticton Vees 2025-26 home opener will take place on Friday, September 26, at the SOEC against the Kelowna Rockets

Kelowna Rockets kick off Memorial Cup season at home to Spokane

Rockets open with Chiefs

Photo: Kelowna Rockets

Rockets host Spokane in home opener

The Kelowna Rockets open the 2025-2026 Western Hockey League season at home to the Spokane Chiefs Friday, Sept. 19.

The league announced all 23 home opening dates Wednesday morning.

It’s the third time the two teams have met in the Rockets home opener.

Ironically, the previous meeting kicked off the 2019-2020 season, a season when the Rockets were also scheduled to host the Memorial Cup.

Kelowna won that night 4-3 on Dillon Hamaliuk’s overtime winner.

The Rockets will also provide the opposition for the Penticton Vees home opener a week later Friday, Sept. 26.

Tickets for the home opener go on sale in the coming weeks.

The full Western Hockey League schedule and pre season schedule will be released later this month.

It has already been confirmed the Rockets will play a pair of pre season games in Whitehorse September 12 and 13 against the Medicine Hat Tigers.