Rockets forward signs AHL contract with Silver Knights

Kelowna Rockets forward Shane Smith has signed an American Hockey League contract with the Henderson Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.

Smith, 21, joined the Rockets in November 2025 after being acquired from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a trade that also brought forward Vojtech Cihar to Kelowna.

In his lone season with the Rockets, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound left-shot forward recorded 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in 41 regular-season games. He added four points in nine playoff games and appeared in three games at the 2026 Memorial Cup.

“Shane brought a lot to our team this year, both as a player and as a person,” Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton said. “We’re proud of everything he accomplished here, and we’re excited to see him take this next step with Henderson.”

Smith played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Rockets. He finished his WHL career with 93 goals and 90 assists for 183 points in 264 regular-season games.

His impact extended beyond the ice. Smith was named the WHL Humanitarian of the Year for the 2025-26 season and was a finalist for the Canadian Hockey League’s Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Throughout the season, Smith raised money for the Canadian CMV Foundation, inspired by his niece Maia’s battle with congenital cytomegalovirus, or CMV.

The Rockets congratulated Smith on signing his first professional contract and wished him continued success with Henderson.