(Red Deer Rebels/ Taylor Lachance)

By Ian Gustafson

Leading scorer

Red Deer Rebels Ty Coupland excited for future of the team

Feb 27, 2025 | 2:54 PM

Red Deer Rebels forward Ty Coupland has been involved in the game of hockey since the day he was born.

His father Billy, who has been a scout for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets since 2008, was scouting for the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning when Ty was born.

Watching his dad not only scout but coach minor hockey sparked his own love for the game at a young age.

“He got me into the game whether I was following him at WHL or NHL rinks or even when he was coaching later on he got me into the game. I started when I was three playing with five-year-olds, so I’ve always been involved in hockey in some way,” he told rdnewsNOW.

“That’s one of the biggest things I’ve noticed is my hockey IQ is one of my strengths. My dad used to run skates whether it was junior or NHL guys who would come back in the summer. He would run those skates and I’d be out there as a little kid…

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“I’d be watching their habits and learning how to run at a high pace. That’s something I think has really helped being able to watch from a young age, those high level hockey players. It’s something I’m very grateful for.”

The 17-year-old from North Vancouver, B.C. began his hockey journey with the Vancouver NW Hawks U15 AAA from 2020-22 where he had 65 points in 21 games.

That led him to get selected 42nd overall in the second round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft by the Swift Current Broncos.

In the 2022-23 season he moved up and joined the Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep squad where he added 35 points in 28 games.

Now, in his second season in the Western Hockey League, Coupland has continued to do what he does best, score. Since he was traded to Red Deer, he leads the team with 30 points in 53 games.

“I feel like my game in the last little bit has really elevated and I’ve found a new level,” Coupland said.

“I think there’s still another level I can get to here. There’s a lot of positives in these games and we’re starting to win here now. Hopefully we can string some more wins before the end of the season.”

Rebels head coach Dave Struch has been impressed with how Coupland has played.

“He’s a top six forward for us at a young age and he’s a really skilled player. We expect a lot from him and he’s a hard worker, which is a great thing,” he said.

“There are some parts of his game that have to get better like playing without the puck. That stuff comes with time and experience and opportunity. He’s getting a really good opportunity to play both sides of the puck in key moments. You can see the development is coming.”

Coupland spent a season-and-a-half with the Broncos notching 31 points in 61 games in his rookie season last year.

He’s adapted to the Red Deer style of play well so far playing a fast, skilled, and physical game. He’s contributed just nine points in 18 games since joining the Rebels but feels he’s generated scoring opportunities. He just hasn’t capitalized on all of those opportunities.

“I think I’ve been OK from that sense. Our team doesn’t score a ton. I’ve felt I’ve generated a lot of offence but more bounces are going to start coming whether it’s me personally or whoever I’m playing with,” he added.

So far, even though there hasn’t been a lot of team success on the ice since management shook up the team at the deadline, Coupland has felt right at home.

“I really like it here. It’s a bunch of really good guys and it’s a tight-knit group. Everyone gets along… There is a lot to look forward to with this group we have here. It’s a young group and there’s a lot of positives to look forward to,” he said.

This year Coupland is also eligible to be drafted in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft this summer and was ranked 195th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

He said the opportunity to be drafted into the NHL is definitely something he’s thought about throughout this season.

“I try not to focus on it too much. I just try to take it day-by-day and take it as it goes… I just try and play and worry about me personally and how the team is doing. Everything else will sort itself out at the end of the day,” he noted.

Coupland is expected to be a key addition for the Rebels heading into the next few seasons. They’re currently out of a playoff spot and if they don’t make it this year, that will be the goal for the 2025-26 campaign.

Despite that, Coupland believes the future is bright in Red Deer.

“Next year, we’re going to have a really good team,” he said.

“Right now we’re giving playoff teams good games this year and this is a young group. I think when everyone gets a year older and more games under their belt, they’re going to be even more confident in this league.

“Next year we’re going to take a big step and we’re going to be a powerhouse. There’s a lot to look forward to and I’m really excited to be here for that.”

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