Better late than never.
Locke Muller fully intended to begin his inaugural Western Hockey League campaign more than two months ago. But after breaking his right hand during a practice-session scrap in September, the St. Paul native didn’t make his regular-season debut with the Red Deer Rebels until last weekend.
“The hand feels good now. I think it’s stronger than it was before,” he said Wednesday. “It’s a little stiff after not using it for two months, but it’s starting to loosen up and it feels better every day.”
So, at least for the next while, the 17-year-old rookie will likely avoid the pugilistic side of the game, but he’ll continue with the bang-and-crash style he exhibited in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win over the visiting Vancouver Giants.
“I have to be a physical presence and play with an edge. My game is to finish all of my checks, get pucks deep and work the corners,” said the six-foot-two, 186-pound winger.
Muller was listed by Red Deer last winter on the recommendation of former Rebels head coach and now team scout Peter Anholt, who watched the big forward perform with the Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy midget AAA team in a tournament at Prince Albert.
“I was a leader on that team. I helped provide offence but was pretty much an energy player,” said Muller, who wore the ‘C’ with the Pursuit of Excellence squad last season while accumulating 24 points — including eight goals — and 87 minutes in penalties in 36 games.
He attended the Rebels’ prospects camp in June and checked into main camp in August confident that he was capable of earning full-time employment with the club.
“I thought I was more on the inside looking out than on the outside looking in,” he said. “I thought if I just came to camp and played the way I can that I’d have a really good chance of making the team.”
Muller was in the Rebels’ lineup during the exhibition season and immediately noticed the difference in calibre once he dressed for his first regular-season contest.
“Those bottom-level (preseason) players are gone. Now it’s just the best of the best and the play is a lot faster than preseason,” he said. “I have to continue to get into game shape and keep working at my skills with the intention of being a starter every night.”
Rebels head coach/vice-president of hockey operations Jesse Wallin likes Muller’s upside.
“He thinks the game well and he’s a good skater with a good stride,” said Wallin. “He’s strong on his feet, although he has to get quicker . . . that first step has to be quicker. But we think he can be a power forward in time, that’s what he brings to the table.
“He’s a hard-nosed kid and we think there’s a lot to like with him. He missed the first two months of the season and it’s going to take him some time to get up to speed and get his timing back, but we think he definitely has the tools in place to become a power forward. He makes a good pass and has good ability, it’s just a matter of getting everything into place at this level.”
• The Rebels, who host the Prince Albert Raiders and Brandon Wheat Kings Friday and Saturday, are back in the CHL Mastercard Top 10 rankings, at No. 9. The Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors of the OHL are ranked No. 1, while two WHL teams — Portland and Saskatoon — are ranked third and fifth.
• The Rebels will conduct their annual toque toss Saturday. Fans are encouraged to bring toques, mittens/gloves and scarves to donate to the Red Deer Christmas Bureau. Teddy bears will also be accepted.
gmeachem@www.reddeeradvocate.com