Colton Lien put up stellar numbers in 2024-25 with the Okanagan Hockey Colorado 15U AAA team, a season after he was drafted in the first round of the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft by the Kelowna Rockets.

This past summer, the Highlands Ranch native signed with Kelowna, but will head back to Okanagan for the 2025-26 season.

“I was drafted two years ago and went to training camp this year and I played well and they called and said they wanted me to stay for a week and play a few games and sign,” explained Lien. “I always knew that the WHL was the best competition for junior hockey, but before the rule change it was always the USHL. After the rule change, the WHL was no question for me. Kelowna is great. Fantastic town, absolutely beautiful and they have a great coaching staff with great players and teammates. They have great fans, especially with the Memorial Cup coming up.”

Kelowna will be hosting the Memorial Cup next May.

“They told me little to no young guys would have a spot because they are so deep with their old guys,” Lien said. “They have a huge year with the Memorial Cup.”

After signing and playing the preseason with the Rockets, who took him 11th overall in 2024, Lien headed back to Colorado for more development with the Okanagan 16U AAA squad.

During the 2024–25 season, Lien recorded 22 goals and 51 assists for 73 points in 49 games.

“I think Major Junior players being eligible for NCAA is great because the competition rises a lot and it is harder to go NCAA Division I, which makes everyone work harder and I love that,” said Lien. “It is great for the game and it should grow the game tremendously.”

For as long as he can remember, Lien’s passion has been hockey.

“I got started playing hockey because at a very young age, my dad put a stick in my hand and I loved the game ever since,” Lien said. “My parents called me ‘Colton Hockey Player.’ I started playing with the Littleton Hawks, starting with learn to skate and moving my way up all the way through Bantams. I started playing hockey because after I learned the game, all I wanted to do was play hockey.

“At Littleton, my coaches Kyle Hull, Matt Adams, and Jason Gour were great influences for me and helped get me ready for AAA hockey. At Okanagan, coaches Richard Matvichuk, John Mitchell, Kyle Ostrow, Jesse Predhomme and David Clarkson are the soul reason why I have got to where I am right now. They have developed and pushed me to be the greatest I can be. They are the best advocators for me and give me the best support I can ask for.”

Going forward, Lien has his priorities in order.

“My short-term goal is to win nationals this year,” said Lien. “My long-term goals are to play junior hockey, then NCAA, and hopefully professional. Playing professionally is very hard and that’s my ultimate goal, but I know that’s not going to last forever, so I want to go to school and get a good education so I can pursue a career after hockey.”

Top photo/Okanagan Hockey Colorado; Right photo/Kelowna Rockets

— Matt Mackinder

(September 30, 2025)