By Troy Gillard

Voice of the Rebels moving on

Cam Moon joins Edmonton Oilers broadcast team

Jan 11, 2021 | 1:09 PM

It’s the end of a cherished era for the Red Deer Rebels and their fans.

After 22 seasons behind the mic, Cam Moon is leaving as the radio voice of the Red Deer Rebels to join the radio broadcast team for the Edmonton Oilers.

“It’s overwhelming, for sure. It’s a team I grew up watching in my hometown so I very much look forward to the opportunity, the challenge. I never thought this day would come, I really didn’t, nor was I really looking for it, but here it is,” Moon said of the news.

“I’m going to miss Red Deer. It’s a wonderful city, wonderful place to work. Quite honestly it’s never felt like work. It’s just something really fun to do and it’s never been lost on me that I get to do it.”

Moon joined the Rebels to start the 1998-99 Western Hockey League season and never missed a game over the next two decades, including 1,753 regular season, playoff and Memorial Cup games.

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He now gets to head up the QEII Highway and call games for the team he grew up cheering for.

“It’s exciting and I look forward to the next chapter, but it’s also a little sad in that one chapter’s closing,” the 50-year-old admits. “It’s definitely a dream job. If I had the ability to pick a radio play-by-play job with any of the National Hockey League teams, this would be my number one choice.

“It’ll be a challenge. It’s going to be fun and I expect it to be as much fun as I’ve had in Red Deer. That’s what I’ve always chased after in a career is to be able to do something that I enjoy. I enjoy galling games, I enjoy being at the rink and all that is the game of hockey and I look forward to enjoying it in Edmonton.”

Moon could talk for hours about his favourite memories while with the Rebels, but did highlight a few that stand out most.

“For sure, there’s the 2001 Memorial Cup season. What a great team, what a great group of guys. Then going back to the WHL final the next year, and the next year, and then the eastern conference final the year after that. It was an amazing four-year run.

“The Memorial Cup here in Red Deer in 2016 – so much fun. It really is one of my favourite events in hockey, the Memorial Cup. It was so nice to have it in our town and see everybody that came to the games and took in the festivities, it was really special. I would love to see it come back to Red Deer again.”

There’ve also been plenty of off-ice adventures during his time with the Rebels.

“I remember the time we had to put the chains on the bus going through the pass just outside of Seattle. There I am outside trying to put the chains on, helping the coaching staff. Those are the kinds of things you swear you would only see in a movie, but that’s life in the Western Hockey League. Things can happen that you don’t think will and you’ve got to find a way to get things done.

“I’ll miss the places that we go to. I love the travel. There are a lot of things I’m going to miss, I could go on forever.”

Moon says he can’t say enough about working for the Sutter family for nearly the entirety of his 22 years with the Rebels.

“They’re such good people to work for, you feel like part of the family. That’s what makes it so much fun. I just can’t say enough, can’t thank them enough for everything over the years. I’m extremely fortunate to have been here as long as I have.”

Moon also says thank you to the thousands of Red Deer Rebels fans who show so much dedication for their team.

“I love the passion of Rebels fans. I love the interaction when I get to walk the concourse during an intermission and to meet so many people that become friends. I love the vibe at the rink here and I can’t wait until it happens everywhere again.

“Rebels fans are the greatest. I think back to some of those playoff series and the vibe in the rink, the lead-up to a game, the feeling when the Rebels win, the noise, all those memories come flooding back.”

“We’re beyond excited for Cam, and the opportunity the Oilers have offered to him,” Rebels Owner and President Brent Sutter said in a statement. “

“Junior hockey produces an environment to grow and advance, which extends beyond players and coaches. Central Alberta hockey fans have had the pleasure of listening to his energetic spirit for 22 seasons, and we’re honoured we’ll continue to hear him on Alberta’s airwaves. This truly is a dream come true for Mooner.”

The full release detailing changes to the Edmonton Oilers broadcast team can be found here.