Rebels director of player personnel Novakoski breaks down results of WHL draft week

Rebels director of player of personnel Jamie Novakoski said he was ecstatic with how the drafts went this week.

“I think we addressed what we were looking for going into the draft in getting some defenceman who have some size, meanness, can still move pucks, get around the ice, and play some valuable minutes in the future for the Rebels,” he said.

“Some of the players that we got we added some smaller skilled guys with the potential to grow and also some two-way centreman that play the game the right way and can be meaningful role players at this level and important guys that you need in playoffs to be successful.”

WHL Prospects Draft

Standing at six-feet three inches tall and nearly 180 pounds, the Rebels decided to add some size to the lineup with their first pick in the draft.

Defenceman Nolan Wolitski, who played last season for the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep, recorded eight goals and 40 assists for 48 points in 29 games in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.

The St. Albert, product, who was taken seventh overall by Red Deer, also had 74 penalty minutes and in the playoffs, added seven points in five games.

“We were very happy to see him at seven to say the least,” Novakoski said. “He’s a big strong kid and he’s not done growing yet. He’s got good hockey sense and he’s got a meanness to his game where he plays to win and sticks up for his teammates. He’s a guy that can play heavy minutes down the road for you in all situations.”

Novakoski explained they explored options of taking a forward at seventh overall to address scoring struggles but felt Wolitski was too good to pass up.

“I think we got some guys who are pure goal scorers that can finish their chances and don’t need six or seven chances to bury it. There’s some natural scoring ability in those group of guys,” he said.

In the second round, they selected forward Chace Turchak at 30th overall out of Calgary and defenceman Owen Archer at 32nd overall out of St. Albert.

“The Turchak kid we took from the Calgary Bisons we really loved him all year and his game got better every time we saw him. He was noticeable and took over the game. He’s so strong on the forecheck, finishes all of his checks, and he’s got great hockey sense,” Novakoski said. “He causes a lot of turnovers and creates chances for his linemates. We’re very excited to have him.

“We were ecstatic Archer was there in the second round too. Another 6’2″ big kid that gets around the ice fine, moves the puck fine, has good hockey sense, and has got some nastiness to his game too. He was suspended a few times this year if you can believe that. We were happy to get those two guys in the second round.”

For the full list of Rebels draft picks in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft you can view our story here.

U.S. Priority Draft

The Red Deer Rebels made two selections at 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

With the sixth overall pick in round one, the Rebels selected forward Eli Bimmerle from Bartonville, Texas and with the 42^nd overall pick in round two, they selected forward Paxson Madill from Hermantown, Minnesota.

Bimmerle played last year with the Dallas Stars Elite 14U AAA and scored 50 goals and 44 assists for 94 points in 59 games.

“Bimmerle is a player we targeted all the way back in September, the first time we saw him. He’s a skilled right winger who skates really well and just knows how to score goals,” said Rebels American-based scout Chase Fuchs. “On top of it, he’s a very competitive kid… He’s got a bright future in hockey and is one of the top kids in the U.S.”

Meanwhile, Madill played with the MN Voyageurs 14U AAA squad and had 26 points in 17 games.

“Right now, he’s a little bit of a smaller forward but he’s grown a lot. That doesn’t really matter because he’s a very dynamic player,” Fuchs added. “His skating quickness, agility, and his determination is how he can get away with being a bit smaller. He’s got the ability to be a game breaker. He’s a heck of a playmaker and makes everyone around him better.”

WHL Expansion Draft

The Rebels lost defenceman Doogan Pederson to the league’s newest franchise, the Penticton Vees.

In total, Red Deer protected 16 players but wouldn’t comment on who was left unprotected.

“Losing Pedey definitely hurts. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to leave people susceptible to getting picked up in an expansion draft. He was one of them we didn’t want to lose but sometimes it’s a numbers game and unfortunately lost him,” Novakoski said.

What’s next?

Up next for Red Deer, the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2 at 9 a.m. Mountain Time.

The Rebels will have three selections in the draft thanks to a new rule change including 19th, 80th, and 141st.

Starting next season, each team will be allowed to have three import players on the roster, compared to the previously allowed two. Last season, the Rebels had Czechia forward Samuel Drancak and Russian forward Gleb Semenov.

Ideally, the Rebels would like to have three import players on the roster by the beginning of the season. They’re typically players who make big impacts on every team so they’ll weigh their options.

by Ian Gustafson

Rebels director of player personnel Novakoski breaks down results of WHL draft week

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