The Red Deer Rebels have set their pre-season roster prior to their first exhibition match against the Calgary Hitmen this Friday.
The roster consists of many returning players but also fresh faces looking to leave an impression on the coaching staff. The Rebels will move forward with 35 players on the pre-season roster including 20 forwards, 11 defencemen, and four goaltenders.
Among the 20 forwards include returners Craig Armstrong, Talon Brigley, Escalus Burlock, Frantisek Formanek, Dwayne Jean Jr., Ollie Josephson, Jhett Larson, Kalan Lind, and Kai Uchacz.
The forward group also includes veteran forward Carson Latimer who was traded to the Rebels in the offseason. There is also a large group of rookies including Samuel Drancak, Matthew Gard, Levi Green, Beckett Hamilton, Jeramiah Roberts, Evan Smith, Zane Saab, Steven Steranka, and Tucker Tullikopf.
A strong defensive core from the Rebels backend last year will also make a return including Nick Andrusiak, Quentin Bourne, Matteo Fabrizi, Mats Lindgren, Hunter Mayo, and Jace Weir.
Defenceman Elias Carmichael, who was traded to the Rebels in the summer, was also named to the roster. In addition, rookie blueliners Tate Dolinsky, Jake Missura, Derek Thurston, and Luke Vlooswyk were also listed.
The goaltenders on the team were headlined by returners Kyle Kelsey and Rhett Stoesser. However, rookie Taylor Tabashniuk and Chase Wutzke were also added.
Stoesser is not expected to play during the pre-season as he is still working his way back from a lower-body injury that happened in February.
The puck drops in the Rebels pre-season on Friday night at the Siksika Deerfoot Sportsplex against the Calgary Hitmen at 7 p.m. Red Deer will then return home to face the Edmonton Oil Kings at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
