It seemed like a throwback to the Red Deer Rebels’ glory seasons of eight to 10 years ago.
The Rebels were front and centre during the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference all-star team and individual award announcements that were included in a press conference Thursday at the Centrium.
Jesse Wallin was honoured as the conference coach of the year, while Darcy Kuemper was named top goaltender and was selected to the first all-star team, Mathew Dumba was recognized as the East’s top rookie, super sophomore Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was named to the first all-star team and defenceman Alex Petrovic earned second-team honours.
“It’s great to see individual players getting some recognition and it’s great for the organization to get some recognition again,” said Wallin. “These guys are all great players who have had great seasons, and yet you look around the dressing room and there are a lot of guys who have had great years, too.
“Colin Archer is a guy I’m real proud of. He’s the captain of our team and has provided tremendous leadership all year. Byron Froese has come in here and been an outstanding citizen and outstanding player for us and has helped take the team to another level. There’s a number of guys throughout our dressing room who could be mentioned. There aren’t individual awards for them to win but everyone in our room, to a man, has contributed to the year we’ve had so far and we need everyone to keep contributing that way to have success moving forward.”
On the eve of the Rebels’ playoff opener at the Centrium versus the Edmonton Oil Kings, Kuemper thanked his teammates for helping him achieve personal success that included breaking a number of Rebels franchise records and tying the WHL mark of 13 shutouts in a single season.
“It’s an awesome feeling to get that recognition. Without my teammates and the way the coaching staff had them commit to a defensive style of play the entire year and the way they bought into that, there’s no way I’d be honoured this way,” said Kuemper. “Without them, none of this would be possible and I can’t thank them enough.
“We’re all really looking forward to the playoffs and while it’s great to get this recognition, I have to put this behind me and start focusing on tomorrow night when our series gets started.”
Dumba truly excelled in his first WHL season. Already a dynamic player, the 16-year-old Calgary product scored 15 goals, was a plus-24 and — to the obvious delight of Rebels fans — delivered numerous open-ice hits.
He was selected as the premier freshman in the Eastern Conference over a pair of defencemen — the Oil Kings’ Griffin Reinhart and Morgan Rielly of the Moose Jaw Warriors — who were taken before him in the 2009 bantam draft.
“I’ve played with Griffin and Morgan (with Team Pacific at this year’s World Under-17 championship),” said Dumba, who was the fourth overall selection in 2009. “They’re both great players and to be named over them is something special. Both of those guys always work hard and I’m just happy with where I am right now.”
Heading into the season, Dumba didn’t foresee anything as special as being a finalist for the WHL rookie award.
“I came into camp telling myself that I was going to work hard throughout the season and get better every day,” he said. “I think I’ve progressed really well. I’ve learned a lot from Jesse and the coaching staff, along with the players. It’s huge to have guys to look up to.”
Petrovic overcame a late-season slump to be named Rebels defenceman of the year last weekend and his selection as a conference second-team all star was deserved.
“Other than that little funk we went through, overall it’s been a great year. Obviously, a lot better than my first and second years,” said the Florida Panthers prospect. “Just playing with Arch (Archer) through the whole year . . . he’s really helped me out. You want to get better and that’s sort of a team thing, too.”
Nugent-Hopkins, like Petrovic, wasn’t aware of his all-star status until he received a text message from Kuemper.
“I just found out a couple of minutes ago. I’m pretty stoked about it to say the least,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who accumulated 106 points — 31 goals and a league-high 75 assists — this season.
“My season just goes along with how great the team did this year. The team had over 100 points which was incredible. My teammates really helped me out.”
As for his own nomination, Wallin said it is more a mirror of the team’s success than a personal accomplishment.
“I’ve been in this league a long time. I spent four years as a player and I’m now in my sixth season of coaching. This is just a fantastic league to be part of and when you look at the quality of coaches who have been nominated and won the award . . . it’s just a real honour to be among that type of company,” said Wallin.
“Having said that, an individual award is a reflection of our team and the people around you. I can’t say enough about our assistant coaches, Bryce Thoma, Chris Neiszner and Brent Belecki. These guys have done such a tremendous job. They’re very committed and work with a lot of passion. Coaching is definitely a team effort and they’ve given me some great support.
“But our players are most responsible for our success. The season we’ve had so far is a testament to them and the commitment they’ve shown.”
• The 2010-11 WHL regular season was one of growth, increased offence and milestones, commissioner Ron Robison pointed out during the press conference.
Attendance around the league was up three per cent overall this season, Robison noted, as was scoring, with three teams sniping in excess of 300 goals for the first time in 13 years. In addition, close to seven goals were scored per game, the highest average in seven seasons.
Robison also cited the milestones reached by coaches Don Hay and Lorne Molleken, who both reached the 500 mark in career wins.
(See Scoreboard on Page B4 for the Eastern Conference all-star teams and award nominees)
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com