(rawimpressions.ca)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

rarin' to go

Sutter excited for Rebels’ return to play

Feb 1, 2021 | 4:19 PM

Not shockingly, Brent Sutter is ready to get back to playing hockey.

The Western Hockey League announced Thursday that its five Alberta-based teams have been given clearance by the Alberta Government to begin play starting Feb. 26.

Red Deer, Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat will play a 24-game season amongst themselves. There will be no fans in attendance at games.

“At least we can get back to playing games, practicing, and obviously with very heavy protocols in place. But it’s something our Alberta teams can manage and the players are very excited along with staff,” says Sutter, Rebels owner, president, general manager and head coach.

At this time, there is no set in stone plan to have a post-season, including The Memorial Cup, meaning the end goal for teams is unclear.

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“We just have to wait and see. We’ve been working with the health minister and the province through this process since it started,” Sutter says. “Things can change and perhaps come April and May, the government will let us know if we can adapt.

“It was hard for the NHL in the bubble, as well as for the World Juniors with no fans, but at the end of the day, you go out and play on a 200 by 80 foot sheet of ice, and there won’t be fans, but we’re back playing. It’s still about developing players and getting the max out of every one of them; playing like we would normally play.”

Sutter points out that by the time they do take to the ice, it’ll have been nearly a year since the Rebels last played a game (March 11, 2020 — a 6-2 road win over Swift Current).

“Let’s not forget that the biggest thing for us still is safety. That’s why protocols are so strict and in place. It’s the way it has to be done,” he stressed. “The players are going to have to adapt to that, but it’s not like they don’t know what’s going on in the world either.”

Teams will carry 25-player rosters, with a handful of scratches each night. Affiliate players won’t be permitted and European players will be hard-pressed to take part.

That includes Helsinki-born Christoffer Sedoff, who joined SaiPa of Finland’s Liiga earlier this month. Liiga is the top pro league in the country, which Sutter admits will probably be better for his development.

Sedoff also played seven games with FPS of the Mestis league and six with HIFK U20 before joining SaiPa.

The WHL says in a statement that, “Import players are eligible to play during the 2020-21 WHL season, but must receive a National Interest Exemption. Players who competed in the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton were also required to have a National Interest Exemption.”

It is possible for a player in Europe to obtain an exemption and the WHL will apply for one on behalf of the player. If a European player was in Edmonton for the World Juniors, their exemption remains valid.

U.S. players are eligible to join their Canadian-based WHL Club, but they must obtain a visa to do so, the WHL adds.

“It’s exciting. We’re getting hockey back. Obviously, it’s not going to be completely normal, but we’re excited about it. Hopefully over time here, we get through this winter, spring and summer and maybe there can be some normalcy in the fall,” Sutter says. “We’re all hopefully doing what we’re asked of by health officials and the government, but it certainly has been a long difficult process.”

For more information about the WHL’s return to play, check out our story from Jan. 28.