Stepping onto the ice as a rookie for the first time can be an exhilarating experience at any level of hockey.
But for the 40 players invited to Red Deer Rebels rookie camp, including defenceman Luke Vlooswyk, who was selected 17th overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, and forward Jeramiah Roberts who was picked 14th overall in the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft they got their first taste of that on Saturday.
The Rebels coaching staff, management team, and everyone else in attendance got an early look at the future of the franchise at the Peavey Mart Centrium as the youngsters took the ice for a scrimmage.
Vlooswyk said everyone in the group was excited to get camp going and he enjoyed the well-fought back-and-forth game.
“I even took a minute before the game, just stood on the bench and looked around. I just kind of admired everything because it was the first time,” he said.
Last season the 15-year-old from Calgary played 33 games with the Calgary Bisons U15 AAA and contributed eight goals and 17 assists for 25 points. Next season he will be playing for the U18 AAA Calgary Buffaloes but hopes to play for the Rebels
Being a first-round selection adds some pressure but he is confident in his abilities.
“I’m going to use all that pressure and a little bit of nerves I have to my advantage to push myself,” Vlooswyk explained.
Moving the puck quickly is at the top of his priority list to focus on especially if he gets to play at the main camp and potentially some exhibition games.
Transitioning from bantam AAA to the WHL is quite a jump and the teen noticed it immediately at camp more specifically the speed of the game.
“Not just your foot speed but how you think the game it all has to go to the next level,” he added.
He’s already gotten to know some of his fellow rookies and added there aren’t many Albertans on the roster he knows but has enjoyed talking with some of the players from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and all over. In the summer he worked out with the newly added forward Craig Armstrong.
Vlooswyk began skating at the age of two, which wasn’t easy for his father who introduced him to the sport.
“I didn’t really love hockey at that age I had to get bribed with ice cream but the second I started playing Timbits Hockey I loved it and ever since it’s been my passion. It’s what I love to do most,” he said.
Roberts, who’s from Monument, Colorado made the trip to Canada for the first time after being drafted by the Rebels earlier this summer.
The 15-year-old forward impressed with a goal during the scrimmage.
“It felt fast. There’s a lot of hard-working boys out here. They definitely want it and just have to come out hard next time,” he said. “When I got that goal of mine blood started going through my veins and I felt like a new man.”
The Rebels selected Roberts in the WHL U.S. Priority Draft 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.”
This is his first time being outside of the U.S. and so far has enjoyed his time in Red Deer. Back home he plays for the Colorado Rampage U14 AAA where last season he put up 15 goals, 16 assists, and 31 points in 60 games.
His grandfather, who also loved the game, encouraged him to play hockey at a young age and even took him to his first college hockey game in Colorado.
“I just fell in love with the game. I just started getting into it and it all led me to here,” he said. “I love the drive that it gives me. I love all the opportunities it gives and how much work you have to put in. You don’t show up a day and it proves the next day.”
Roberts takes pride in his stick work and works hard at being a skilled player. His hard shot is also a strength to his game and admitted his passing needs some work.
“I thought nobody was going to like me when I got here because I’m from the states and I’ve heard some stories. But everybody’s so nice here and it takes off the pressure a little bit but at the same time you got people that want it more than you so you just have to work a lot harder than them.”