Rebels forward Jace Isley, who is aging out of the WHL, moves up ice with Rebels regular season leading scorer Kai Uchacz during game six versus Saskatoon. (Red Deer Rebels/Rob Wallator)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

POTENTIAL FOR BIG THINGS

After heartbreaking end to season, Rebels look to what’s on horizon

Apr 27, 2023 | 5:13 PM

On the heels of a crushing defeat to the Saskatoon Blades in the second round of the WHL Playoffs this week, Red Deer Rebels players and Head Coach Steve Konowalchuk faced the media Thursday.

READ MORE: ALL OF OUR REBELS COVERAGE IN ONE PLACE

The Rebels are just the third team in WHL history to lead a series 3-0 and then go on to lose it.

The first time was in 1996 when the Spokane Chiefs overcame the Portland Winterhawks, and it didn’t happen again until the Kelowna Rockets stormed back against the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2013.

The first two instances took place in the conference quarterfinals, whereas with the Rebels it was in the conference semis.

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“The way our players battled in that seventh game, they battled hard, and we could’ve come out ahead in that game. It’s frustrating we didn’t. The sold out crowd didn’t phase our guys,” says the bench boss.

“Any time you can get that many wins in the regular season, it’s good. Then it’s a seven game series which could’ve went either way, and against a really good hockey team. It’s a little break, sometimes a bounce or detail you want to tighten up [that can make the difference]. Everybody wants to win a championship, and only one team gets to do that.”

There were many positives coming out of the series to build on next year, Konowalchuk added, praising the likes of goaltender Kyle Kelsey, who’ll be back, and the graduating Jace Isley, who won’t.

Potential is a key word in looking forward to 2023-24, after a season where they won the Central Division and won 40+ games for the second straight year.

That’s not to mention a record-breaking 15-game win streak to start the season.

READ MORE: Rebels tie second longest WHL win streak to start a season

Forward Kalan Lind, who was sidelined for the series after a heavy hit in game four, spoke about the injury, and confidently of his team’s chances next season.

“I’m feeling good. There are no real concussion symptoms. The trainers handled it very well. I watched the hit back. I don’t really care, it’s kind of a hockey play, it happens; you look past it and don’t hold grudges,” said Lind, recently ranked 39th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the June draft.

“You never really want the season to end that way, but next year, we’re going to come back with the right attitude. We’re going to come back and win next year. We’re going to have the group to do it.”

Lind admits thinking about the NHL Draft is nerve-wracking, but also exciting, but he’s looking forward to being back in Rebels red for another go at a WHL title.

He also suspects an invite is coming for the NHL Combine, about which he’s spoken to brother Kole. The Shaunavon, SK native is heading to visit his sibling who’s currently playing for the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL Playoffs.

Also exiting the league is Anaheim Ducks prospect Ben King, who a year ago finished second in league points, then suffered an injury this season, keeping him out for a lengthy time, and then returning to be a force down the home stretch and in the post-season.

King, from Vernon, B.C., had 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 30 games this season, plus 11 points in 10 playoff matchups.

“Maybe they [the Blades] were a little more desperate. We put ourselves in too good of a spot, and we were too satisfied with it,” King pondered, asked about where the tables turned in the series.

READ MORE: Rebels’ netminders, stalwarts through record win streak, share WHL monthly honours

“It’s pretty sad right now with the loss and the season ending, as well as my junior career being over. You always look forward to coming back here, seeing the guys again, and this time I won’t have that, so I’m cherishing my time with teammates in these last days.”

King, saying his teammates must use the historic loss as motivation for next season, was acquired by Red Deer in 2019 from the Swift Current Broncos, his 17-year-old campaign.

In his WHL career, he accrued 106 goals, 134 assists and 240 points in 236 regular season games, the bulk of which was with Red Deer, a city he calls a second home, and team he describes as first class in every facet.

“I’m going to chat with Anaheim and see what’s happening,” he says. “But I don’t know for sure where I’ll be.”

Blueliner Christoffer Sedoff is also aging out, and has his sights set on Vegas, where he signed with the NHL’s Golden Knights in March.

“I want to show Vegas my work ethic, and the two-way player that I am, to get an opportunity to play there,” says Sedoff, who’ll first head home to Finland.

“It’s been a lovely time here. I’ve enjoyed every second of it, and have soaked everything in over the years,” said Sedoff. “It’s definitely been worth it. After the COVID year, I wondered if I should come back or not, and I think that was the best decision for me.”

Sedoff played three seasons on the Rebels’ back end, amassing 131 points, including 114 assists in 185 games.

“[Next year], they have to just work hard, have fun, and it’s a good opportunity to come back and show everybody they’re better.”

Coach Konowalchuk shares that sentiment.

“There’s a good crop coming in to fill a few holes,” he said. “Other guys will be a year older, the culture’s always been here, and the last couple years we’ve had some really good playoff battles. Those only make you better.”