One of the best defensemen in the WHL last season is now a member of the 琉璃神社 Rockets.

On Wednesday, May 21, the Rockets acquired defenseman Mazden Leslie from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a conditional first-round draft pick in 2028 and a conditional 2026 third-round pick that originally belonged to Seattle.

Leslie was a WHL Defenceman of the Year finalist last season after a career season where he scored 21 goals and added 51 assists for 72 points in 66 games. 

Over his WHL career, he has 190 points in 280 games.

鈥淢azden is a player we are very familiar with,鈥� said Rockets assistant general manager Curtis Hamilton. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a defenceman who does a little bit of everything and his competence is never in question. We look forward to working with him and are hopeful that we will see him in a Rockets jersey next season.鈥�

Leslie is also committed to Bowling Green State University.

In the final NHL Central Scouting Rankings for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, the Lloydminster, Alta. native was ranked 133rd among North American skaters.