Red Deer Rebels defenceman Joel Sexsmith is no stranger to the feeling of not knowing what his hockey future holds.
As a 15-year-old, he was dealing with blood clotting issues and missed a lot of hockey as a 16-year-old, before he was traded to the Rebels as a 17-year-old. Uncertainty during those days was a common refrain.
So, when the 19-year-old suffered his second concussion of the WHL season just two weeks apart earlier this year, he wasn’t sure about when he would be able to return.
“That was my first concussion ever,” said the six-foot-one, 191-pound defenceman.
“It was something that was really fresh to me. I made that return and then the second concussion happened two weeks later. That was pretty scary. There was no doubt in my mind I would return to play, it was just a matter of when. I wanted to be sure when I came back I was 100 per cent.”
Sexsmith said he originally tried to come back after the Christmas break, but just didn’t feel right and needed more time.
“The first time I tried to come back I tried and I realized I wasn’t 100 per cent, as did the team,” he said.
“I owe a lot to the team for respecting that and allowing me to go home and get the proper team and the help I needed, eventually returning back with the team.”
The long absence was difficult to handle at times.
“It was the longest I’ve ever been away from the game,” he explained.
“Mentally, I think that’s pretty taxing. It’s also a good reminder of the details involved and the work ethic involved in finding a groove and being back with the team. It was a long, hard 10 weeks. I’m not going to lie and sit here and tell you it was fun by any means.
“Also coming back and having to work my way back up to where the coaches trust me and put me in the lineup, was obviously something that was uncomfortable at times, but pushed me as a player and as a person to grow.”
He played his first game of 2022 on Feb. 5, only his seventh of the season.
The blueliner hopes to be a big part of the Rebels’ playoff push, with 21 games left in the season. He knows it will take some time before he’s back at full strength, but there’s plenty of confidence in this team and what they’re capable of.
“It’s been nice to get my feet wet. Obviously, there’s been times where I’ve made mistakes and that’s bound to happen after missing 10 weeks of hockey,” said Sexsmith, who hasn’t registered a point in three games since returning.
“With that being said, I’ve been happy with the chance just to get in the lineup and get back in the rhythm and hopefully continue to contribute in the lineup and move my way back up… I know I can help this team and moving forward I really want to do that and help us make a good playoff push.”
He’s having fun on the ice again, but those 10 weeks he was out, there were some dark days.
“Yeah, I’m having fun. It’s very rewarding. Pain is ultimately where growth lies. I think the satisfaction in that regard comes from that,” he said.
“With that, it’s fun just being out there and being carefree. Even when there’s lots on your mind – my mind wandered for those 10 weeks for numerous reasons. Once you’re back here, you hit the reset button and you realize what you’re here for.”
This weekend will be a big test for the Rebels and Sexsmith, as the Saskatoon Blades are in Red Deer Friday night, followed by one of the WHL’s top teams in the Winnipeg ICE on Saturday night.
“We’ve had a good week of practices. Ultimately, we know that our home record hasn’t been where it’s needed to be for a vast majority of this last little bit, we know we can outperform these teams and outwork these teams,” Sexsmith said.
“Just a matter of guys buying into the game plan. Everyone being prepared and focused… That’s something we’ve really bought into this week.”
Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium on both Friday and Saturday night.