Even before being traded to Red Deer, Ty Coupland was quite familiar with the Rebels jersey.
Growing up in North Vancouver, B.C., Coupland's family was friends with the family of former Red Deer Rebel forward Matt Bellerive, who was with the Western Hockey League Club for the 2012-13 season and part of the 2013-14 season.
"I got gifted a Matt Bellerive No. 27 Red Deer Rebels jersey one Christmas. There's a photo of me wearing that to a Vancouver Giants game. I still have that jersey in my closet somewhere," Coupland said.
On Jan. 9, the 17-year-old right-winger was traded from the Swift Current Broncos to the Rebels. Standing at five-foot-10 and 161 pounds, Coupland has 27 points in 46 games this season, which gives him the most of anyone on the Red Deer roster. (He has two goals and four assists in his 11 games with Red Deer.)
"I'm really liking it here. I'm getting to know the guys well. It's been a very positive month here in Red Deer," said Coupland.
"I've been given more of an opportunity here, which I'm very grateful for, and I'm trying to run with it. I'm on the first power play unit and I'm playing on the top line with (Ollie) Josephson and (Kalan) Lind. It's been really positive that way. I'm looking to keep building and thriving."
Rebels head coach Dave Struch said Coupland has brought leadership and energy to the Rebels lineup.
"He's always talking about the game and talking with his teammates on the bench. Whether it was a good shift or a bad shift, he's talking with his linemates," said Struch.
"It's been the same with (fellow new Rebels) Nishan Parmar and Doogan Pederson. They're guys who have come in and brought that communication. The last couple games we've played better hockey and I think a lot of it is due to that type of energy."
This past weekend, the Rebels won back-to-back road matchups without allowing a single goal against. On Friday, Jan. 31, Red Deer downed the Regina Pats 3-0. The following night, Red Deer bested the Moose Jaw Warriors with an identical score. Following these wins, the Rebels had an 18-25-4-2 record on the season, which has them in ninth place in the WHL Eastern Conference.
Red Deer will host the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday, Feb. 7. On Saturday, Feb. 8, Red Deer will play host to Lethbridge Hurricanes at the Centrium in Westerner Park. Then on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Rebels will host the Regina Pats. Puck drop is 7 p.m. for each game.
Red Deer will travel to Lethbridge to battle the Hurricanes on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
