The Vancouver Giants have parted ways with their captain and one of their most durable players, sending forward Ty Halaburda to the Kelowna Rockets in a significant Western Hockey League trade. The move, finalized on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, ends Halaburda's remarkable tenure with the Giants and places him on a contender for the national championship.
A Record Chase Ends, A Cup Quest Begins
The trade concludes Ty Halaburda's bid to become the Vancouver Giants' all-time leader in games played. The 20-year-old workhorse from Victoria had appeared in 283 games for the Giants, leaving him fifth on the franchise list. Had he played in Vancouver's remaining 28 regular-season contests, he would have surpassed Neil Manning's record of 310 games set between 2006 and 2012.
Instead, Halaburda shifts his focus to chasing a Memorial Cup. The Kelowna Rockets are hosting the prestigious four-team national championship tournament in May, making them automatic participants. Kelowna general manager Bruce Hamilton acquired Halaburda to bolster his roster for the event, suggesting the forward could center a high-powered line between world junior standout Tij Iginla and team scoring leader Carson Wetsch.
Trade Details and Giants' Rebuild
In exchange for their captain, the Giants receive 18-year-old defenceman Will Sharpe, a Delta native and a seventh-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2025. Kelowna also sends Vancouver a second-round pick in the 2028 WHL Draft and a fourth-round selection in the same draft.
The Halaburda deal marks the Giants' fifth trade in two days as the team undertakes a substantial mid-season rebuild. After entering the season with playoff aspirations, Vancouver has struggled, holding a 16-22-1-1 record and sitting 10th in the WHL's Western Conference. The Giants have now dealt away four of their top five scorers, including leading scorer Cameron Schmidt, Tyus Sparks, and Aaron Obobaifo. Defenceman Ryan Lin is the lone member of that group remaining with the club.
Player Profiles and Ripple Effects
Halaburda leaves Vancouver as a franchise icon, ranking fourth in all-time team scoring with 220 points (96 goals, 124 assists). This season, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound right-shot forward had 20 goals and 39 points in 40 games. Known for his exceptional work ethic, he played in all situations and led the entire WHL in face-offs taken this season, winning 52.6% of his 859 draws.
Will Sharpe, the key piece coming back to Vancouver, is a 6-foot-1, 198-pound left-shot defenceman. He recorded three goals and 16 points in 31 games with Kelowna this season and has two seasons of junior eligibility remaining after this one. He has not yet signed his entry-level contract with the Kings.
In a related move to replace Sharpe on their blue line, the Kelowna Rockets separately acquired 19-year-old defenceman Parker Alcos from the Edmonton Oil Kings. Alcos was a sixth-round draft choice of the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. Edmonton received three draft picks, including a 2026 CHL Import first-rounder, in that transaction.
The WHL trade deadline is Thursday, January 8, 2026. The Halaburda trade underscores the contrasting directions of the two clubs: Kelowna loading up for a Memorial Cup run, and Vancouver accumulating future assets for a retooling phase.
