(Seattle Thunderbirds/Brian Liesse)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

a second chance

Rebels’ latest trade acquisition continuing anti-racism & diversity training

Jul 30, 2021 | 1:34 PM

The Red Deer Rebels have acquired Kai Uchacz in a trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

In exchange, Red Deer sends a second round pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Uchacz has been granted permission to play in the WHL this upcoming season after he, and one other player, were removed from Seattle’s roster on March 25, 2021.

It was then that the Thunderbirds had discovered, as part of a thorough review, that he had directed racist comments and actions towards another player on the team.

“Since being removed from the Thunderbirds roster, Uchacz was required to undergo further training and education on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and successfully completed the WHL Diversity Coaching Program conducted by Kamau Consulting Group and Shades of Humanity Consulting in June 2021,” says a statement by the WHL.

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“As a result of demonstrating significant progress with his ongoing education and genuine remorse for his prior behaviour, Uchacz’s return to the WHL has been fully endorsed by the diversity consulting agencies which conducted the training and education program.”

Once joining the Rebels, Uchacz will be required to continue his diversity and respect training in Red Deer. All WHL players must complete the Respect in Hockey educational program, which includes Respect in Sport certification each season.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and I deeply regret my decision making in the past,” Uchacz said. “I have taken this time away from hockey to learn and grow as a person and have expanded my knowledge about this topic and how impactful it is. I thank the WHL for taking the time to work with me and believe in me as a person. I am thankful for the opportunity to play again.”

Assuming he completes his training, Uchacz may join the Rebels for training camp and pre-season games.

Uchacz, 18, is from Calgary and plays centre. In 57 games over two seasons with Seattle, he contributed three goals and seven assists, adding 34 penalty minutes. He also played three games with the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints last season, earning one assist, prior to his release by the T-Birds.

Last October, he was listed as a ‘C’ prospect by NHL Central Scouting.

Red Deer Rebels general manager, president and owner Brent Sutter says Uchacz is a good kid who made a mistake.

“As far as we’re concerned, the Kai we traded for is a changed person from the one he was five or six months ago,” says Sutter.

“The sensitivity of this is something we take very seriously. At the same time, we also have a responsibility to make sure we continue to help teach, train and make sure players understand there’s no place for this in our society. As an organization, we do everything we can to uphold that.”

Sutter says they only considered the trade knowing that Uchacz had been suspended, taken the training and received endorsement by therapists to be reinstated.

He also notes that Rebels captain Jayden Grubbe knows Uchacz and was supportive of the trade.

“As for Seattle, they’ve done everything they had to do on a professional level, with making sure Kai got into this program and working with and helping the victim involved. They wanted Kai to move forward, as do the people who worked with him, and the league office, so that’s when we decided to acquire his rights,” Sutter says.

“Kai’s been very remorseful and apologetic. There’s zero tolerance and we want to be part of the solution with individuals who go down the wrong path.”