Cicek’s WHL career ends as Rockets struggle against Vancouver

The Kelowna Rockets dropped their 15th consecutive game on Friday and in the process of doing so, they also lost one of their veteran players to an injury.

The Rockets will be without overage forward Michael Cicek for the remainder of the season after the 21-year-old underwent surgery to repair a laceration to his left forearm.

Cicek appeared in 52 games this season and was second on the Rockets in points (40) and third in goals with 17.

The 21-year-old was acquired in a trade last season and appeared in 189 WHL games between Kelowna and Spokane, notching 31 goals and 65 assists.

Cicek will now recover and prepare to begin his collegiate career with Michigan Tech University next season​​​​​.

Jaden Lipinski opened the scoring for Vancouver on Friday before Tyler Thorpe buried a shorthanded goal to take a 2-0 lead.

A couple of minutes later, Kalder Varga cut the lead in half with his 10th goal of the season.

VARGA WITH A DASH TO CUT THE LEAD DOWN TO ONE!@TheWHL pic.twitter.com/S8rWyg3lHe

— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) February 22, 2025

The Giants went on to score in the second and third periods while the Rockets were unable to get back on the scoreboard and fell 5-1.

Jake Pilon stopped 24 of the 29 shots he faced in the net as Kelowna outshot Vancouver 34-29.

"We want to play games and we're getting that opportunity," said Rockets interim head coach Derrick Martin after the game.

"We had a good week of practice, a good morning skate and we've got enough good things in our game going on right now and we get another opportunity tomorrow night."

The Rockets will begin their first of eight consecutive road games on Saturday as they face the Giants in Langley.