Rebels grads talk bittersweet ending to WHL season during year-end interviews

For Bains, the first player of South Asian descent to lead the WHL in regular season points (43G, 69A, 112P), the loss is something his team took personally.

“We were pretty confident coming into the series. There’s nothing clear-cut that made it go downhill. Not being able to compete or skate with them was our own fault, not something they had over us. We lost it ourselves,” says Bains, a Surrey, B.C. native.

“That’s just what comes when you’re new to playoffs. We’ve got a bunch of new guys, and only a couple who played in playoffs. It’ll be different next time.”

After signing his first NHL deal with the Canucks this March, Bains’s game never faltered.

In 13 games to finish the regular season, Bains notched 30 points (13G, 17A), including goals in nine straight to end the campaign, a streak kept alive one additional game into round one.

“It’s the tightest group I’ve had here,” Bains said of his five-year WHL career. “The fans were really special this year too. I’ve learned a lot, but it’s been about more than hockey. It’s been about becoming smarter and more of a man.”

For Jackson van de Leest, the year-end interview was full of smiles. van de Leest, who hails from Kelowna, B.C, was acquired from Calgary last January.

Listed at 6’7″, the blueliner, who attended Philadelphia Flyers development camp last summer, contributed 10 points (2G, 8A) in 34 games with Red Deer, and 21 points (3G, 18A) in 60 games overall.

“I was ecstatic to come to Red Deer, and in the end, it set me up to be the best hockey player I can be, in terms of how this organization treats practice and being a Rebel,” he said. “The big thing for me was how much desire you have to have. ‘Kono’ has been hard on us all year, and for me, that was nothing but a benefit. The overall drive and amp you have to bring it up to, helped me become a better player. I think for a lot of guys, it’s the same.”

In 255 WHL regular season games, van de Leest tallied 88 points (11G, 77A).

“I had a lot of really special years in Edmonton, but a really big part of my heart, Red Deer will always hold,” said Liam Keeler, a centre acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings last offseason. “When I got traded, I wasn’t 100 per cent sure what to expect, but every single day has been great. I’ll miss it a lot.”

Keeler’s scrum was unique, in that he sported a Hockey Gives Blood hat and spoke over a boisterous high school grad ceremony taking place at the Centrium.

“Over the years, I’ve seen guys take on the role of leading the Hockey Gives Blood movement, and I’ve always liked to support the community, because it’s the backbone for any hockey team. Hockey Gives Blood is a tremendous cause,” he commented.

“As for guys coming into this team and league, the biggest thing is to enjoy it. When I was 16, my captain, Colton Kehler, told me days go slow and years go by fast. He was right. You have to enjoy every moment because you never know when it’ll end. For those youth, have fun when you’re young, and learn everything you can from people around you.”

In five seasons, Keeler racked up 119 points (51G, 68A) in 279 games. He had career highs this year in goals (25), assists (20) and games played (65), and was fourth on the Rebels in points this season.

Both Keeler and van de Leest noted they’re looking at post-secondary options and hope to keep playing hockey.

Rounding out the availability: first-year head coach Steve Konowalchuk, who guided the Rebels to a 45-19-2-2 record, good for second in the Central Division and third in the Eastern Conference.

Konowalchuk praised his departing players and entire team for their effort.

“With the quality and character of the group, I didn’t come to the rink very often and have to push them too hard to get working. They raised their game and wanted to get better,” he said. “Even when they hit adversity throughout the season, they straightened it out pretty quick, making for a pretty consistent season.”

Asked what didn’t click versus Edmonton, Konowalchuk ended with some sage advice.

“Edmonton’s very good. They were good to start the season, then added maybe the top centre (Sourdif) in the league, then added the top defenceman (Guhle) in Canada,” he opined.

“As a team, some guys did go as hard as they could, but some guys were mentally fatigued and didn’t compete as hard as needed to give ourselves a better chance. That’s a learning experience we have to take away if we want to be a top team.

“It doesn’t matter if you think the mountain is too hard to climb, you have to keep pushing.”

Up next for the Rebels is the WHL U.S. Priority Draft on May 18, then the WHL Prospects Draft on May 19.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Rebels grads talk bittersweet ending to WHL season during year-end interviews

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