Rebels prospects impress
The future may not be now for the Red Deer Rebels, but it may not be far down the road.
The 2008-09 Western Hockey League season will be another rebuilding phase for the Rebels, but a healthy portion of the group of 26 players who attended a prospects camp Friday to Sunday at the Arena should help the club navigate a sharp corner over the next two years.
The Rebels coaching staff put the mostly 15- to 17-year-old hopefuls through a series of drills and then watched as they performed during controlled scrimmages.
“I thought the kids really worked hard this weekend,” said Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin. “This camp gave them a good indication of where they need to be at.
“We tried to give them a very good feel of how we operate as a team through the season, including how we run our drills. Hopefully, they got a lot out of it as far as their expectations are concerned. I know they gave us (coaches) a good indication of where they are at with their development and what they bring to the table.”
Among the group of seven 1991-born players, forward Josh Cowen of Salmon Arm. B.C., made a positive impression, as did defenceman Dominic Perrault of Regina, goaltender Sean Bonar of Delta. B.C., and forwards Joel Lowry of Calgary and Steve Oursov of Chilliwack, B.C.
“Josh has come a long way in a year. He’s gotten a lot stronger and his skating has improved,” said Wallin.
“Cowen looked outstanding. He was very good that’s because his skating is so much better now,” added Rebels owner Brent Sutter.
“No question, a lot of these kids took some big steps this weekend and at least five or six of them will contend for spots on our team next season. Cowen is among that group, Oursov is going to be a player and Lowry is close.”
The Rebels also expect 16-year-old forward Connor Redmond of Maple Ridge, B.C., the club’s first-round bantam draft one year ago, to play regularly in the upcoming season. Alex Petrovic, who played 10 games with the Rebels last season as a 15-year-old, was the premier defencemen during the prospects camp and is already penciled in for the ‘08-09 campaign.
Next to Petrovic, Sutter liked Perrault, Kevin Woodyatt of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Brad Deagle of Lethbridge among the group of nine rearguards in the spring camp.
The Rebels had all nine of this year’s bantam draft picks at camp. Several of the 15-year-olds stood out, the most notable being No. 1 overall selection Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of Burnaby, B.C.
“As far as the youngest age group, there was some really good talent out there this weekend,” said Wallin. “We have some smaller kids, but you hope that they’ll grow and continue to get stronger over time.
“The main thing is they are intelligent, skilled players, and that’s promising.”
Sutter signed Olds product Daulton Siwak, the Rebels’ second-round draft pick this year, to a WHL education contract on Sunday. Nugent-Hopkins signed the agreement several weeks ago.
The Rebels proprietor was favourably impressed by all four goaltenders in camp — Bonar, 18-year-old Darcy Kuemper of Saskatoon and 16-year-olds Cam Gorchynski of Chilliwack and Mark Anderson of Calgary.
• The Rebels will stage a news conference on Tuesday and speculation is swirling that a major addition to the Centrium will be announced at that time.
Contact Greg Meachem at sports@reddeeradvocate.com
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