Red Deer Rebels rookie netminder Rhett Stoesser will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 WHL season.
In an announcement Tuesday, the team said the 18-year-old suffered a lower-body injury in practice last week that will require season-ending surgery.
The 2005-born netminder from Cremona signed with the Rebels after being a free-agent invite to training camp. In 25 starts this season, Stoesser posted the WHL’s fourth-best goals against average at 2.35. He also recorded a solid .910 save percentage and two shutouts along with a 19-6-0-0 record.
His 2.35 GAA was fourth in the entire WHL and he was tied for 12th in wins.
Goaltender Chase Wutzke was recalled from the Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA over the weekend and will remain with the Rebels for the time being.