By Troy Gillard

family ties

Masters seeks to join dad in playing for Rebels

Aug 29, 2019 | 10:21 AM

Two players currently battling at training camp are looking to follow in their fathers’ footsteps by playing for the Red Deer Rebels.

One of them is Mason Ward, son of Lance Ward who was a star defenceman for the Rebels from 1994-98.

The other is Kyle Masters, whose father Kevin played 71 games for the Rebels during their inaugural season in 1992-93.

Kyle was one of two first round selections by the Rebels (Jayden Grubbe being the other) at the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. The 15-year-old Edmonton native played for OHL Edmonton Prep last season and for the Team Alberta squad that won bronze at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer. Masters recorded six assists in six games at the tournament.

Given his high draft selection and building resume, expectations are that Masters will be a key member of the Rebels over the next few years. But that’s not something he’s focusing on, instead just working on being the best player he can be at this time.

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Kevin Masters, conversely, was nearing the end of his WHL career when he joined the expansion Rebels as a 20-year-old in 1992-93 after playing four seasons with Moose Jaw.

“I thought I was really lucky,” he said looking back on joining an expansion team.

“You get to a point, four years, where a change of scenery is nice to kind of kick start things. And it was closer to home (Calgary) so it was just a real nice to play in a town that was so excited for the WHL.”

Kevin is excited to watch his son compete for his former team and feels the Canada Winter Games experience was a valuable one for his development.

“He’s come up (the ranks) with that group of kids. The ‘03s, everyone will see a number of them throughout the league this year, just an incredible bunch of kids.”

(With file from Cam Moon)