The Red Deer Rebels got to look at the up-and-coming talent within the organization when they kicked off rookie camp on Saturday.
Forty-one names were invited to the Peavey Mart Centrium and of those were the Rebels' top two selections from the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, Graeme Pickering and Cash Arcand-Vandale.
Pickering was taken 15th overall in the first round and Arcand-Vandale in the second round at 30th overall. Both were signed to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements earlier this summer.
Pickering, a 15-year-old defenceman from St. Adolphe, Man., joined the rest of the prospects in their first scrimmage on Saturday.
"It feels pretty good to get out there. I was pretty nervous stepping on the ice especially seeing how nice the rink is but once I started skating the nerves started to go away. I started to play more of my game and I felt pretty good," he said.
Pickering is fresh off a tremendous season with the RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg U15 team where he was second among all defencemen in scoring with 36 points in 27 games.
At just 15 years old he won't have a shot at making the Rebels until next year but will most likely return to play for the RINK Hockey Academy's U18 squad. However, he still hopes to leave a positive first impression on Rebels management.
"I really just want to show them my all-around game. I feel like I'm a pretty good offensive defenceman but I also know that I have to be in the defensive zone and I'm pretty good at shutting the play down," he said.
"I can get pretty heated sometimes on the ice and I don't mind showing that a little bit. I don't shy away from the big guys."
Pickering was ecstatic when he was selected by the Rebels after hearing nothing but great things about the organization. Throughout the offseason he worked on his strength in the gym, speed on the ice, and really tried to improve all parts of his game.
His brother Owen just wrapped up his third full season with the Swift Current Broncos where he serves as team Captain. Owen was drafted and later signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins 21st overall in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
His sister Avery played for the women's hockey team at Colgate University as a defenceman, where she was the youngest player in the NCAA in her rookie year. She helped her team make a run to the Frozen Four and won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the U18 World Championship.
He's also cousins with Moose Jaw Warriors captain and WHL Defenceman of the Year Denton Mateychuk. He led the Warriors to their first WHL Championship last year and was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets 12th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
"I feel like I can scan the ice well and I know where everyone is. I'm good at breakouts of the defensive zone and finding the outlet pass," he added
Arcand-Vandale, from Saskatoon, Sask., explained his first experience at Rebels rookie camp has been a lot of fun, and has featured a ton of great hockey players.
"It's exciting being able to meet some of the players from different provinces and the United States," he said. "It's always just been my dream to play in the WHL."
Last season he suited up for the Saskatoon Bandits U15 AA team where he scored 57 points in 27 games. He also added 12 points in three playoff games. This year he hopes to be a regular on the Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA team.
"I felt like I had a really good playoff but in the regular season, I started a bit slow. I was really happy with my finish to the season," he added. "I'm a fast, physical player, and I'm able to get the puck in the net and create good opportunities for my teammates."
When Arcand-Vandale was selected by the Rebels he described it as a surreal experience as he was surrounded by lots of family.
"It was great," he said. "Mom was happy it wasn't too far from home but it's exciting. I heard this place was great and great for development."
