Rebels new head coach excited for training camp and upcoming season

He also wants this year’s team to surpass last year’s success when the Rebels finished first in the WHL’s Central Division and made it to the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Saskatoon Blades in seven games.

“You don’t coach to lose. I coach to win every night,” says Walser. “We’re going to put our best foot forward and we’re going to work. Work ethic gets you a long way and it’s going to get us to over the top.”

“I think right now, our goaltending looks real solid, I like the way our d-core is built, and after a couple of trades Brent made, our top nine looks very good and I’m excited to see them all in person,” adds Walser.

He notes the energy he gets from the Rebels staff and fellow coaches has been infectious so far – something he hopes will translate to the players as well.

“I want people to be who they are,” says Walser. “Don’t pretend to be something else, because when you are who you are, you end up playing right, and I want the kids to feel our energy.”

Derrick Walser, Head Coach, Red Deer Rebels. (rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

Outside the rink, Walser says he and his family arrived in Red Deer less than two weeks ago and are now settling in nicely, recently finding a place to call home. Walser accepted the Rebels head coaching position after being with the OHLs Peterborough Petes since 2017.

The New Glasgow, NS, native says he can’t stop smiling about his new surroundings though and the warm welcome he’s received.

“It’s a dream to get here and be selected by Brent (Sutter) to come here and take over this team. It’s been amazing,” says Walser. “The people are just genuine and they’re nice people and it really reminds me of home.”

Rebels training camp officially gets underway Sept. 1, with the team’s first pre-season game Sept. 8 in Calgary against the Hitmen.

by Sheldon Spackman

Rebels new head coach excited for training camp and upcoming season

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