Kelowna Rockets' Madden Daneault Is Already Showing Why He Went First Overall In 2026

There are always high expectations when a player is drafted first overall in the WHL. For some, there is an adjustment period, while others thrive right off the bat. Count Madden Daneault in the second category, as he is off to a dream start for the Kelowna Rockets. 

Nine games into his WHL career, Daneault is showing why the Rockets were ecstatic to select him first overall. The 15-year-old leads the team with nine points and has points in five of his six games. Daneault is not shy about shooting the puck, as his 20 shots ranked tied for third on the team. 

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Daneault is lighting up the WHL. Last season at the U15 level, he scored 65 goals while recording 149 points in just 34 games. Daneault also featured in some U18 games for the Red Deer Chiefs U18 AAA team, where he recorded six points in three games. 

The only downside to Daneault's first year in the WHL is that he isn't eligible to play an entire season. He will, however, have the chance to skate in up to 34 games thanks to Hockey Canada's Western Canadian Development Model. Once he hits the maximum, it will be interesting to see which team Kelowna assigns him to. 

While it is early, it appears that the Rockets have a star in the making. His offensive skills have been on full display, while his confidence on the ice is hard to ignore. A prospect eligible for the 2029 NHL Draft, Daneault is going to be a matchup nightmare in the WHL for the next few years. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Giants Acquire Parr From The Tigers

Hitmen Acquire Laylin, Wilke Headed Back To The Silvertips

Wenatchee Wild Coach Closing In On WHL's All-Time Wins Record

2026-27 CHL Top-10 Week 3 Rankings: Royals, Tigers And Chiefs

Standouts From Week 3 Of The 2026-27 WHL Season

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.