The Red Deer Rebels have signed their first-round selection from the 2025 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Nolan Wolitski was selected seventh overall in last month's draft. The defenceman played for Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep, of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, in the 2024-25 season and had 48 points (eight goals and 40 assists) and 74 penalty minutes in 29 league games. He added seven points in five playoff games. Wolitski also played four games this season for NAX’s U18 Prep team.
“He’s a big strong kid, who isn’t done growing yet. He’s got good hockey sense and got meanness to his game,” said Jamie Novakoski, Rebels director of player personnel.
“He plays to win and sticks up for his teammates and is a guy who will play heavy minutes down the road for you in all situations. Maybe not on the first power play but probably the second power play.”
Wolitski is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina and is a dual Canadian/U.S. citizen.
The Rebels also announced the signings of two second-round draft picks players who were selected at the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. Chace Turchak, taken 30th overall, and Owen Archer, taken 32nd overall, are now both sign WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements.
Turchak played the 2024-25 season with the Calgary CBHA U15 AAA Bisons, of the Alberta Elite Hockey League, and collected 52 points (24 goals and 28 assists) in 32 games. The forward added 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 12 playoff games and two goals in five games at the U15 AAA Provincial Championships in Red Deer.
“He seemed to get better and better every time we saw him,” said Jamie Novakoski, Rebels director of player personnel.
“He was noticeable and took over the game with a strong forecheck. He finishes his checks and he’s good great hockey sense, creates turnovers and creates chances for his linemates.”
Archer played for the St. Albert U15 AAA Sabres, also of the Alberta Elite Hockey League, in 2024-25 and had 22 points (three goals and 19 assists) in 19 games. He had six points (two goals and four assists) in five games, and five points (two goals and three assists) at the U15 AAA Provincial Championships.
“He’s another big kid who gets around the ice fine, moves the puck and has good hockey sense with some nastiness to his game too,” Novakoski said of Archer, who is a defenceman listed at six-foot-two and 189 pounds.
