The Red Deer Rebels announced on Thursday they have signed American forward Jeramiah Roberts to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Standard Player Agreement.
The 15-year-old from Colorado Springs was picked by the Rebels 14th overall in the 2022 U.S. Priority Draft in May and was one of two players selected.
“We’re very excited that Jeramiah and his family have chosen to pursue his academic and hockey goals with our club,” says Rebels Associate General Manager Shaun Sutter in a media release. “He is a fast, talented player who likes to get involved physically and battle. He was a standout at our training camp with his speed and skill while showing he has a bright future in the WHL.”
Roberts played 46 games last season with the Colorado Rampage where he netted 26 goals and 20 assists for 49 points. The Rebels have now become the first team in the WHL to sign both of their first-round U.S. Priority Draft selections. Bourne was signed in April after he was picked eighth overall in the draft.
Roberts previously explained at training camp that being selected by the Rebels came as a surprise to the young man who said he didn’t know what the WHL was until he received a call from the team.
“I was at school when I got the call up so I was watching the draft at school and I saw my name pop up and I was very excited and happy,” he said. “People are very nice here and I’ve seen some of the guys play at main camp and it looks like something I could be doing.”