Coetzee bulks up
Whoever suggested that size doesn’t matter would get an argument from Willie Coetzee.
The Maple Ridge, B.C., product started the 2007-08 Western Hockey League season with the Red Deer Rebels, but at five-foot-nine and just over 160 pounds, he wore down rather quickly and after appearing in only 23 games was shipped to the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the junior A British Columbia League.
But he’s back, and he’s back with a vengeance — 22 pounds heavier, an inch taller and armed with the same speed and moves that impressed the Rebels coaching staff last fall.
“He worked hard this summer and came in here well-conditioned. He came in with the right frame of mind, to prove that he can play here,” Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin said Friday, after watching the 17-year-old forward perform during an afternoon training camp session at the Centrium.
“Willie was disappointed in getting sent down last year and has come back here to get himself noticed and to prove a point. He’s given himself a chance to make this team by adding that strength. But he still has that quickness and skill, and now he’s able to fight through the checks and he’s not bumped off the puck the way he was when he was here last year.
“He’s definitely put himself into the mix here with his hard work and getting his body prepared for this level.”
Coetzee, who will celebrate his 18th birthday in November, added the much-needed bulk by working out four hours per day, seven days per week, with a fitness firm in his hometown.
“It was off-ice for two hours and on-ice for two. I did weights, running, biking . . . it was a lot of hard work, no fun,” said Coetzee. “I had to do it to get ready for this camp.”
As Wallin stated and as Coetzee has shown through two days of training camp, his acceleration has not suffered.
“I can play the same style as I always have. I still have the speed and now I can keep my offence up there and try to help out with more defence,” Coetzee insisted.
Admittedly dejected after being reassigned by the Rebels last fall, Coetzee — after scoring twice with Red Deer — reported to Cowichan Valley and put up 16 points, including five goals, in 33 games with the Capitals.
“It was good, I played a lot there. The coaching was great and they helped me out for this. The said they wanted to help me get better to get back to this level,” he said. “Sure, they would like me back there this season, but they knew I was coming here.”
The demotion, then, was a positive turn of events, as it turned out.
“I got more experience and I matured as far as playing defensive hockey,” said Coetzee. “It helped me realize that I had to get stronger, so I’ve trained hard for the last two months.”
Wallin is just happy that Coetzee is no longer as susceptible to serious injuries.
“At 160 pounds it’s tough to play in this league,” said the Rebels bench boss. “He was also a young player last year with a lot to learn. There were times when he put himself in vulnerable positions, and at that size it’s sometimes dangerous.”
Contact Greg Meachem at sports@reddeeradvocate.com
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