The numbers are mounting as the Red Deer Rebels accept volunteers for the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup.
“The last two days have been insanely busy,” Rebels senior vice-president Merrick Sutter said Wednesday. “We added a couple of positions and need probably around 500 volunteers and we’re over 400 now.
“There’s a huge need for volunteers for the event, but there’s already been a huge response.”
Sutter said the organization is still in need of less than 100 volunteers for various duties including bartending, accreditation, transportation and security.
“Those are the four main areas, but we’re also looking for people to work in our FanFest operations,” said Sutter. “They can go to reddeerrebels.com and indication which area they want to volunteer for.
“One of the misconceptions is ‘I have tickets for the event and I want to watch all the games, so I can’t volunteer’. With our FanFest and beer gardens happening before and after the games, there’s plenty of opportunity for people to volunteer around the games if that’s what their concern is.”
Overall, Sutter has been impressed with the sudden response since Sunday.
“We went live (with volunteer requests) Sunday, the day of the Grey Cup, which is almost like a national holiday,” he said. “In the two and a half days since we’re over 400 people. It’s been a great response.
“We still need a few more and I would think we’ll be full within a couple of weeks.”
• Forward Austin Adamson, who underwent hip surgery in the off-season, is back with the Rebels, but where he’ll fit into the lineup once he’s cleared to play is the big question.
Adamson, who last season contributed two goals and five points in 22 games after he and defenceman Nelson Nogier came over in a December deal with the Saskatoon Blades, could be a replacement for Michael Spacek, who is expected to be with the Czech Republic team at the World Junior Championship starting Dec. 26 in Finland.
• The Rebels return to action Saturday at Lethbridge and are expected to have forward Evan Polei and defenceman Kayle Doetzel back for the game. Polei missed two games with an upper body ailment and Doetzel has been out for roughly a month with a foot injury.