(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

a time for reflection

Graduating Rebels & coach talk playoff exit, gratefulness and advice

Apr 20, 2024 | 11:24 AM

Despite the circumstances, there’s a lot of appreciation pouring out of three graduating Red Deer Rebels.

The end to the season was ‘unfortunate,’ as put by Elias Carmichael, one of three now former Rebels aged out of the WHL.

Carmichael, alongside teammates Carson Latimer and captain Kai Uchacz, spoke to the media Friday, two days after being swept by the Saskatoon Blades.

The Blades have knocked Red Deer out in the second round two straight seasons, stringing together eight consecutive playoff victories over the Rebels.

“I loved [my time here]. I learned many things and I’m very grateful for that. I’m grateful for the Sutter family giving me a spot here as a 20-year-old,” says Carmichael, a defenseman acquired by Red Deer in May 2023, in exchange for a third round 2024 WHL Prospects Draft selection.

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Carmichael, citing leadership and companionship as lessons he’ll take away, went down with a high ankle sprain the same week in early March the Rebels hired Dave Struch as interim head coach.

Elias Carmichael (foreground). (Red Deer Rebels)

“It was definitely hard [to watch the playoffs]. But as an older guy, I just tried pumping up the players and continued to be part of the team. Emotionally, cleaning out my locker, it’s a breakdown. It’s how it is after every year. It’s a great group of guys and I’ll miss every one.”

The Langley, B.C. native finishes his WHL career with 14 goals and 56 assists in 252 games, including one goal and nine assists in 60 regular season matchups as a Red Deer Rebel.

He looks ahead to likely attending the University of Alberta

Carson Latimer, who calls nearby White Rock, B.C. home, led the Rebels, alongside Kalan Lind, with eight points this post-season, including a team-high five goals. He also only played 35 games this regular season due to leg and jaw injuries.

“It’s a lot of emotions the last couple days. It’s been bittersweet because the group of guys here has been unbelievable. We came a long way this year,” says Latimer, once upon a time a member of the Winnipeg Ice, Prince Albert Raiders and Edmonton Oil Kings.

Carson Latimer (centre). (Red Deer Rebels)

Latimer was acquired for two draft picks in July 2023 from the Winnipeg Ice turned Wenatchee Wild before being able to play a game in that franchise’s new locale.

“Red Deer has been extremely special. It’s a first-class organization at the pinnacle of junior hockey. It’s an unbelievable rink, the fans are awesome and things are run here with the utmost professionalism,” says Latimer, who isn’t sure what his future holds, but is grateful for what the WHL does to pay for post-secondary education.

“You learn a lot more about yourself when you’re hurt and not playing — that you’re more than a hockey player. When I came back, I wanted to leave it all out there and I think I did. I worked as hard as I could and tried to be a leader.”

On that note, Latimer says for younger Rebels, enjoy every day, because you never know when you may be playing your last game.

Latimer closes his WHL career with 48 goals and 74 assists for 122 points in 178 regular season games, and you can throw in 15 playoff points.

Then there’s captain Kai Uchacz who goes down as one of the most prolific point-getters in Red Deer Rebels history.

Kai Uchacz (right). (Red Deer Rebels)

Uchacz racked up 199 points in 188 regular season matchups for Red Deer, the point total being 11th most in Rebels lore. His 106 goals, 42 of which came this year, are 4th most behind B.J. Young, Justin Mapletoft, and Arron Asham, who leads the way with 131.

Of course, his 50 goals in 2022-23 are not forgotten, that mark being the club’s 4th-highest ever single season total, B.J. Young holding the record with 58.

Uchacz’s 33 power play goals are second behind Ben King’s 44, and his 14 game-winners are 6th most, tied with Evan Polei.

Uchacz came to the Rebels under much scrutiny following an incident while with his former club, Seattle, that saw him suspended by the league until he underwent certain training.

The Rebels brought him in with high hopes on and off the ice, and he seems to have delivered, earning the captaincy last offseason and two straight team Humanitarian of the Year awards, among others.

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“I can’t thank the organization enough for taking me in and giving me a chance. It was a huge honour to lead this group, and it came with a lot of responsibilities, hard work and dedication,” says the NHL-undrafted Uchacz, who can’t yet share anything with respect to pro camp invites.

“There’s so much I’ve learned since showing up here as an 18-year-old, one of the big ones being how to carry myself as a man, and there were character traits I learned about myself that I didn’t know I had in me. On the ice, it was learning about how to be a pro and what it takes to get to that next level and take care of my body.”

Uchacz, mentioning he’ll also really miss legendary dressing room attendant Mikel McIver, spent a lot of time visiting schools.

“Being able to share my story, what I know, and being a role model or mentor; I hope that work I did in the community and around the rink didn’t go unnoticed, and I really hope I made an impact on a few people,” he says.

Interim Head Coach Dave Struch took the reins of the Rebels from Derrick Walser quite unexpectedly in early March, and led them to a 3-4-1 record down the stretch.

Struch hopes to return next season and without the interim tag, but talks still have to occur with Rebels’ management, he shares.

He says too that despite the sweep, and some controversy involving a hit on goaltender Chase Wutzke mid-series, his players played the right way.

“[The three aging out], they’ve all played on a couple teams, so finishing here as a Rebel and the way they worked, you see maturity, growth, leadership, and they have a voice in the dressing room,” says Struch.

“They speak to the Rebel identity and that’s important to have within your program. We wish them the best of luck moving forward because they provided this group with a lot.”

If Struch does come back, he stresses to younger players, tomorrow’s captains and assistants, that preparation is key.

“It’s not just in hockey or sport, it’s in everyday living. It is the most important thing in life if you want to excel and raise your standard of excellence,” he says. “What is the right way to prepare for these guys? They don’t know, and that’s why we’re here and why as parents, teachers, coaches and mentors, are guiding them in the right direction, so that when we’re not around, they know how to do it and they take ownership of that.

“Then when we do get into the team environment, we get here and we’re all Rebels together, and we have a chance to win.”

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