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Best coming: Bleackley

By his own admission, 2011 first-round WHL bantam draft pick Conner Bleackley wasn’t at his best during Sunday’s first rookie sessions of the Red Deer Rebels training camp.Clearly, the best is yet to come.
Conner Bleackley action 110828jer
Conner Bleackley in action during the Rebels' rookie camp session.

By his own admission, 2011 first-round WHL bantam draft pick Conner Bleackley wasn’t at his best during Sunday’s first rookie sessions of the Red Deer Rebels training camp.

Clearly, the best is yet to come.

“I got off to a bit of a slow start. It was nice to get a goal today but hopefully I’ll do better tomorrow,” said the 15-year-old power forward and High River product, who last season excelled with an otherwise weak Okotoks Oilers major bantam team.

Bleackley tallied once for Team Burgundy in a 3-2 loss to Team Silver in the afternoon rookie camp scrimmage at the Centrium, but didn’t necessarily stand out. He wasn’t alone in that regard.

“We had some guys who played very well, including (Red Deer native and forward) Scott Feser. He definitely set himself apart,” said Rebels GM/head coach Jesse Wallin, who was also impressed with forward Cory Millette and rearguard Haydn Fleury, the club’s second-round picks in the 2010 and 2011 bantam drafts.

“These are high-profile guys and there are other guys in that category who have a little more to offer,” added Wallin.

“I’d like to see a little more out of big (defenceman) Kayle Doetzel (the Rebels’ first-round pick in 2010), he’s a guy who has the ability to dominate.

“It’s the first day of camp so these guys are still finding their way, but there are at least a couple of guys who can turn it up a bit.”

Including Bleackley?

“He was in the same boat as Doetzel this morning. I thought Conner kind of floated through the scrimmage,” said Wallin. “I saw him up at Camrose a couple of weeks ago at the provincial under-16 camp and saw a kid who worked really hard, got really involved and was playing physical.

“This morning I kind of thought he had it on flotation. He was a little better this afternoon.”

Bleackley certainly harbours plenty of promise.

He’s considered to be one of the top prospects of his age in the country and was one of 40 players selected to participate in the All Canadian Mentorship Program camp earlier this month in Mississauga, where he learned about nutrition and conditioning from former NHLer Gary Roberts, skated with NHL star Steve Stamkos and Tampa Bay teammate Steve Downie and competed in the Mentorship Cup game under coach Luke Schenn, a Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman.

“That was a phenomenal camp. It kind of showed me where I’m at in regards to other guys in Canada and set me up for this camp,” said Bleackley, who possesses a scoring touch and leadership abilities and is anxious to impress the Rebels coaching staff and scouts this week.

“Obviously I want to go out there and show why I was picked in the first round by the Rebels and make them happy with their choice,” he said.

“I’d like to make it to the Black and White game (intrasquad contest Wednesday at 7 p.m.) and show the fans what I’ve got and just make a good impression.”

Wallin has even bigger immediate plans for Bleackley, who is not eligible to play full time in the WHL until next year.

“He’s a guy we’d like to take through the preseason here,” said the Rebels boss. “He certainly has the ability. He’s strong and has a very heavy shot. He’s going to be a real good player, but part of the identity we have is our work ethic. Right now I’d like to play him through the preseason, but he’ll have to earn that.”

Millette scored twice and Earl Webb also connected for Team Silver in the afternoon rookie scrimmage.

Defenceman Tyle Antoniuk also scored for Team Burgundy.

gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com