The Kelowna Rockets are moving on, becoming the first team to advance to the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

It took just four games for the fourth-seeded Rockets to complete a sweep of the fifth-seeded Kamloops Blazers, outscoring their opponents 21-8 in the process.

With the victory, Parker Alcos becomes the first Vancouver Canucks CHL prospect to advance past Round One. While he didn’t find the back of the net in the series, he contributed three assists, seven shots on goal, and a plus-8 rating. His plus/minus currently sits tied for third among all skaters in the playoffs and co-leads all defencemen alongside Medicine Hat’s Jonas Woo. He’s playing in all situations for the Rockets, including penalty kill and secondary power play duties.

Alcos is coming off a career season, recording 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) and a plus-43 rating in 63 games split between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Kelowna Rockets. The Port Moody native has confirmed this will be his final season in junior, as he is committed to Quinnipiac for the 2026–27 campaign.

While their second-round opponent has yet to be finalized, the league-leading Everett Silvertips are the most likely to be their matchup.

Regardless of how their playoff run unfolds, the Rockets are already guaranteed a spot at the Memorial Cup as tournament hosts. Kelowna will face the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL champions in May.

Over in the Eastern Conference, Braeden Cootes and the Prince Albert Raiders carry a 3-1 lead in their series over the Red Deer Rebels. After winning the first three games, the Rebels finally took one by a 4-3 score. Cootes was held scoreless for the first time during these playoffs, despite throwing five shots on goal. Their series will head back to Prince Albert, where they can clinch the series to move on to home ice.