Joining the Red Deer Rebels after 17 years in the Edmonton Oil Kings system was obviously a change for Jamie Novakoski, but one the Saskatoon native has enjoyed every minute of.
“I’m really excited to be part of a group of established scouts they have here,” he said while evaluating the talent at the recent Alberta Cup.
“Coming in, I knew them but haven’t worked with them in the past, but it’s been a great year … I’m happy to be in Red Deer.”
Despite being in the WHL, first with Kamloops then Edmonton, Novakoski never met Rebels owner/president/GM Brent Sutter.
“I knew who he was, of course, and knowing him and the job he’s done, I had a ton of respect for him for many years, although he was one of our biggest rivals while I was in Edmonton," said Novakoski, whose official title is Director of Player Personnel.
Of course, he did know Shaun Sutter, whom he replaced when Shaun joined the New York Rangers.
“I knew Shaun very well and had a lot of respect for him and the way he did things here.
“Overall, it’s been a big change for me, but a good change, and it’s been fun, and I’m excited to be here and what lies ahead for us.”
What lies ahead immediately is the WHL and US Prospects Drafts.
The first round of the WHL Prospects Draft is set for Wednesday evening. The US Draft goes Thursday morning, followed by the remainder of the Prospects Draft.
“They set the first round by itself because it just takes a long time for the selections, phone calls and everything,” explained Novakoski.
Although he’s new to the Rebels, he’s no stranger to the WHL.
“All said and done I’ve been 29 years in the league for the most part, so I’m familiar with the league and the players,” he said.
The 53-year-old started his scouting career with the Blazers in 1995. He spent the next 11 years scouting for the organization. He also spent five of those year with the Kindersley Klippers of the SJHL. He joined the Oil Kings as a scout in their inaugural season of 2007-08.
He was a scout while also acting as head scout for the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL for six years. During that time, he was part of the Broncos National Junior A championship team in 2008.
In 2013-14, he was named the Director of Scouting for the Oil Kings and was on board when they won the WHL championship and Memorial Cup in 2014. The Oil Kings also won the WHL title in 2012 and 2022.
The past few years, he was mainly on the scouting staff, but a change in his personal life led him to Red Deer.
“I just decided to get back into hockey full time,” he said.
He still lives in Saskatoon with his three kids — Tyson, Hudson and Mila.
“The nice thing about my position I’m able to be located in any of the major cities in Western Canada, so that worked out well for me.”
But he’s also on the road almost full-time.
“Monday through Thursday for sure,” he said. “I’m all over Western Canada and now with the NCAA rule changes, the States.
“With the NCAA rules, it’s more important than ever to see the American kids. It’s going to open up a lot of possibilities for those kids to be more attracted to coming here.”
Jamie admits he has to pinch himself at times when he thinks about his job.
“I wake up, go to the rink and watch hockey … I’m very lucky. It’s a job I love and I enjoy the people I’m working with.”
Novakoski says there are slight differences in the philosophies between the Rebels and Oil Kings.
“It’s fairly similar but definitely some differences,” he said. “But the way the game is changing and the way it is now, size is not a priority as it used to be. We still like to play that way and have some size but you definitely need some smaller skilled guys who can put up some points as well.
“With the rule changes, smaller guys can survive.”
As Novakoski prepares for the opening round of the draft, he believes the talent level in Western Canada is continuing to grow.
“The kids are getting better and better,” he said. “Every year they’re putting more and more time in. It used to be seven months, but it’s totally changed with skill coaches, dietitians, and personal trainers. It’s changed and made the game a lot better and quicker.”
The Rebels will pick seventh in the WHL Draft, which starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Jamie indicates there will be a lot of high-end talent available.
As for who or what they are looking for he wouldn’t comment.
“We’ll look for the best player available for the first couple of picks and then look to fill our depth charts.”
The Rebels pick sixth and 42nd in the US Prospects Draft.
“We’ll definitely be looking to take the best players available,” concluded Novakoski.
The Rebels will also lose one player to the Penticton Vees in the Expansion Draft Wednesday, unless they make a trade.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be contacted at danrode@shaw.ca
