• Tij Iginla will skate for Canada while teammates Tomas Poletin and Vojtech Cihar represent Czechia at the World Juniors.
  • The trio — all Kelowna Rockets players — meet in the tournament opener as rival nations kick off play in Minneapolis–St. Paul.
  • Iginla scored three goals in pre-tournament games; Poletin contributed two overtime goals for Czechia.
  • Cihar, a recent Kelowna acquisition, will join the Rockets after the tournament for the WHL second half and a Memorial Cup push.

Local teammates become international rivals

Three Kelowna Rockets who spent the first half of the Western Hockey League season as teammates now turn into opponents as the World Junior Hockey Championship begins in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Tij Iginla leads Canada on opening night

Forward Tij Iginla, skating with Canada’s second line in pre-tournament play, scored three times and projects to play a key role for the Canadian U20 squad. Canada opens the tournament looking to start strong and get payback after Czechia knocked Canada out in the quarter-finals the last two years.

Poletin and Cihar skate for Czechia

Tomas Poletin has been a bright spot for Czechia in warm-up games, scoring two of his team’s five pre-tournament goals — both winners in overtime against Latvia and Slovakia. Vojtech Cihar, acquired recently by the Rockets from the Lethbridge Hurricanes, will also represent Czechia and is expected to join Kelowna after the World Juniors conclude.

Immediate matchup and tournament stakes

The teams won’t have long to set aside friendships: the Rockets trio meet tonight in the tournament opener. All three players are expected to play meaningful minutes through the 11-day championship as their nations chase medals and pride on the international stage.

What this means for Kelowna

Kelowna Rockets fans will track their players closely. After the tournament, Iginla, Poletin and Cihar will rejoin the Rockets for the WHL second-half schedule as the team pushes for playoff seeding and a run toward the Memorial Cup.

Looking ahead

The World Junior Championship provides a platform for young players to raise their profiles. Strong showings by Iginla, Poletin or Cihar could influence their roles back in Kelowna and attract attention from pro scouts. For now, friendships are set aside for national pride and fast-paced international competition.

Follow the World Juniors schedule and Kelowna Rockets updates as the tournament unfolds and the local trio reunites after the event for the WHL stretch run.

Image Referance: https://www.castanet.net/news/WHL/591148/Kelowna-Rockets-teammates-turn-to-adversaries-as-world-junior-tournament-begins