The Red Deer Rebels made a few big acquisitions this week.
No, they didn't make a trade – they welcomed the return of goaltender Chase Wutzke, forwards Kalan Lind and Ollie Josephson from their respective NHL camps.
The Rebels played without them in the home opener on Saturday and fell to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in overtime but having them back will surely give them a nice boost.
Wutzke, who was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, is fresh off his first NHL training camp. He said it was an awesome experience.
"It was pretty amazing making it to the main camp there and getting to skate with the big guys," he said.
Among the big names he skated with was legendary goaltender Marc-André Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, who Wutzke said was a great guy to learn a thing or two from.
"It was pretty cool getting to be able to skate with him, just talk to him, and see how it is to be in the league for such a long time," he said. "Day to day, just seeing what he does was a pretty cool experience, that's for sure."
Wutzke said he felt more comfortable as camp continued and tried to see the puck as best as he could. However, he admitted facing shots from players like Kirill Kaprisov and Mats Zuccarello is eye-opening.
He also got to suit up in an exhibition game in St. Louis where he faced former Red Deer Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk who is now on the coaching staff for the Blues AHL affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds.
"I felt like I played pretty well. I talked to our goalie coach in Minnesota after and he said I played well and that he had nothing bad to say. It was really good," he added.
Red Deer's second-year netminder has yet to sign a contract with Minnesota but management told him to keep playing his game. Last year, as a rookie, he was one of the best young goalies in the WHL, posting a .904 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average in 36 games.
"It feels great to be back and be around the guys. We're going to have a great group of guys this year and should be a good team," Wutzke said.
"I just have to define my game. I'll probably get a bit bigger. I'm still a young kid so I've still got room to grow and it's going to be a good experience being able to play here and get lots of time in with the coaches."
Josephson also returned from his first training camp with the Seattle Kraken after he was taken by the franchise in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The 18-year-old from Victoria, B.C. said it was awesome.
"We started off with some rookie practices and went to LA for a rookie tournament and then did main camp. All three parts of it were a lot of fun and it was really cool to skate with some good players and be coached by some NHL coaches," he said.
Josephson felt prepared to head into camp but said it was tough competing against the world's best. It was valuable to watch how they go about their day, workout, and prepare for games.
"Everything is done with a pro mindset so I think just taking that from the week was really important and something I'll bring here and try to pass on to the young guys," Josephson said.
He attended rookie camp earlier in the spring which he said made it easier heading into training camp knowing the staff, coaches, and facilities.
But as well prepared as he felt, nothing could prepare him for going up against NHL veteran Jamie Oleksia who's listed at six feet seven inches tall and 256 pounds.
"I did a battle drill against Oleksiak so that was a pretty humbling moment," Josephson said when asked if there were any 'wow' moments at camp.
Josephson will continue to perfect his two-way game as well as his ability to win faceoffs. The Kraken also hopes to see him continue to produce offensively.
"I think everyone wants to be more offensive each year they're in the league. Being 18 now I think it's time to produce more offence so that's the goal this year."
Lind attended his second training camp with the Nashville Predators this year since he was taken in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
This time around he felt more confident and even scored a goal in an exhibition game but also cherished the opportunity to skate alongside some of the game's biggest stars.
"Being on the ice with Steven Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly you see all those big names and it's such a cool experience," Lind said.
"I said to some of the younger guys there that I was staying with you never would have thought five years ago that you'd be talking with Stamkos. That was a cool experience."
Lind, who signed with the Predators last year, saw game action in three rookie tournament games but also suited up in a preseason tilt against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. The biggest difference he noticed was the lack of time and space to make decisions on the ice.
"Guys are right in your face the whole time. You don't have that extra second to take a look around and know what's going on," he said.
Next year, as a 20-year-old, Lind will have a solid chance of making the roster for the Predators AHL affiliate. He hopes to use this season with the Rebels to get bigger and stronger.
"They think everything's going to come around when I get that strength on me."
