The Kelowna Rockets have swung a deal with the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Rilen Kovacevic is heading to northern Alberta and the Rockets are getting Carson Golder and a third-round pick in the 2023 draft in return.
We've acquired 20-year-old Carson Golder and a draft pick from the @EdmOilKings.
Welcome to Kelowna, Carson!— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) November 28, 2022
"We had the opportunity to acquire a good two-way player in Golder that can play forward and defence," said Bruce Hamilton, Rockets president and GM.
"It's unique that he can play both positions and something that we'll take advantage of. He brings a little more depth to our lineup and adds speed, which I felt we needed to address."
The 20-year-old Golder led the Oil Kings in scoring prior to his departure with eight goals and seven assists in 24 games.
The Smithers native has appeared in 124 career games between the Oil Kings and Victoria Royals and won a WHL championship in Edmonton last season.
Kovacevic, 18, was drafted by Kelowna in the 10th round of the 2019 draft and has since suited up in 77 games for the Rockets.
The Kelowna native has five goals and four assists in 20 games so far this season.
"For Kovacevic, it's an opportunity for him to be on a team where he thinks he should be and that's in the top six,” noted Hamilton.
“I think it's a situation where I think a change of scenery will be good for him, he's a talented player that has a lot to give, but he's still in the learning process of playing in this league. We wish him all the best moving forward."
Golder is expected to make his Rockets debut on Tuesday and it will be in front of a sellout crowd that is primarily there to catch a glimpse of Connor Bedard.
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