Rockets deal multiple picks to Broncos for skilled forward Levi Benson

The Kelowna Rockets have swung a deal with the Swift Current Broncos to acquire an exciting player who was previously committed to going the NCAA route.

The trade, announced by the club this afternoon, sees the Rockets acquire Levi Benson in exchange for a second-round pick in 2025, a third-round pick in 2026 and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2028.

Benson, who is the younger brother of former WHL star and 2023 NHL first-round draft pick Zach Benson, was originally picked by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2022 WHL draft.

The reason why Benson fell to pick 118 on draft day, and why he was available for the Rockets to trade for, is that he was expected to play in the NCAA rather than the WHL.

In December 2023, Benson announced his commitment to join the Arizona State University Sun Devils.

That will no longer be the case after today’s trade, as the 16-year-old signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Kelowna and is no longer eligible to play in the NCAA.

"I am very proud and honored to be able to sign with the Kelowna Rockets,” Benson said. “I want to thank my family, teammates, coaches and everyone who has helped me along the way. I am super excited to get things going in K-Town".

Benson won’t have much trouble fitting in when he arrives in Kelowna, as he played the 2023-24 season with Yale Hockey Academy’s U18 prep team alongside fellow Rockets prospects Eli Barrett, Jacob Henderson and Nathan Kam.

The Chilliwack product finished ninth in league scoring with 16 goals and 34 assists in 29 games, adding five more points in three playoff games.

“Levi is a skilled, competitive forward who will help add depth to our lineup,” said Rockets assistant general manager Curtis Hamilton. “We would like to welcome Levi and the Benson family to the Rockets organization.”

Benson will battle for a full-time spot on the Rockets roster ahead of the 2024-25 season, but he doesn’t turn 17 until October.