W Kalder Varga - Kelowna Rockets, WHL (2026 Draft)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Smallish RW with average skating, but he can really score. He reminds me of Matt Coronato. He can shoot it, pass it, very good hockey sense, good hands. Finds the scoring areas. He will probably light up junior and have a chance to be an early/mid round pick for 2026.

A player for @landy92mack29 and @Bubbles and the WHL watchers to keep an eye on over the next few years. He's Kelowna's first round pick in the US draft. His father is a former elite WHL'er and minor leaguer that never made the NHL. He also played for the US WJC20 team back in the day. His grandfather was the Chicago Blackhawks equipment manager for 30 years.

Kalder Varga - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Kalder Varga, 2008-06-00 Geneva, IL, USA USA. Most recently in the undefined with Chicago Mission 15U AAA. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

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[Bubbles]

Definitely keep an eye on him, thanks!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Replacing the injured Berchild.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1853550288503968198

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Has 1 points in the WHL so far from 9 games. I'm guessing he's not playing very many minutes? He seems too good to have such a low output if he's playing a top 9 role.

He was better than a number of the regular NTDP forwards at the WHC17. The type of thing we know that they don't choose the 12 best forwards because some guys have to play in bottom line roles, and they don't want to put 5'10 offensive players on the fourth line. That's probably what it was with Varga.

But he did play fourth line at the tournament, and was outplaying the fourth liners badly. No points, but was involved in a number of good chances and didn't exactly have good line mates.

 

[FourQuarters]

Has 1 points in the WHL so far from 9 games. I'm guessing he's not playing very many minutes? He seems too good to have such a low output if he's playing a top 9 role.

He was better than a number of the regular NTDP forwards at the WHC17. The type of thing we know that they don't choose the 12 best forwards because some guys have to play in bottom line roles, and they don't want to put 5'10 offensive players on the fourth line. That's probably what it was with Varga.

But he did play fourth line at the tournament, and was outplaying the fourth liners badly. No points, but was involved in a number of good chances and didn't exactly have good line mates.

Kelowna is nearly a "one line" team this season, there are many games that most goals are scored by Cristall-Iginla-Graham line, and other lines are struggling.
But as Stancl is getting better on the NA size ice, there will be more "Good spots" could let rookies develop

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Nice goal. He’s going to heat up soon. Too good not too.