As some hockey players continue their careers, new opportunities arise or they seek out a chance to keep playing.
For the upcoming 2025/26 season, a group of former Kelowna Rockets have signed contracts to play overseas. Here's who they are:
Elias Carmichael (Rocket from 2019-2023)
Defenceman Elias Carmichael, 22, has signed his first professional contract with HK Nitra in the Slovak Extraliga in Slovakia.
Jackson DeSouza (2018-2024)
After ending his WHL career, Jackson DeSouza is heading overseas after signing his first professional contract with the Dundee Stars in the UK-wide Elite Ice Hockey League.
Pavel Novak (2019-2022)
Back in his home country of the Czech Republic, Pavel Novak has signed a contract extension with Ceske Budejovice HC in the Czech Extraliga. Last season, he collected six points in 19 games with the team.
Alex Swetlikoff (2018-2021)
Kelowna native Alex Swetlikoff is heading overseas for the first time after signing a one-year contract with Modo Hockey of HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier league.
Matthew Wedman (2019-2020)
After potting 45 points in 51 games in his first season overseas in Slovakia, Matthew Wedman has signed a two-year contract with Lowen Frankfurt in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (German Ice Hockey League).
Kyle Topping (2016-2020)
After a season away from the team, centre Kyle Topping is returning to Modo Hockey. He played nine games for the team in 2023-24 where he scored three goals in nine games. The 25-year-old played for HPK Hameenlinna in the Liiga (Finland) last season.
He is joined by Swetlikoff.
Libor Zabransky (2017-2019)
Coming off winning the Czech Extraliga championship with HC Kometa Brno, Libor Zabransky has signed a three-year contract extension with the club.
Reid Gardiner (2016-2017)
Winger Reid Gardiner is continuing his career overseas after signing a one-year deal with Vaxjo in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
Ryan Olsen (2012-2014)
Flipped between North America and overseas for the majority of his career, Ryan Olsen has signed a two-year contract with Dusseldorf in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (German Ice Hockey League).
