Rebels wrap up successful training camp, prepare for preseason play

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On-ice sessions began last Thursday and continued through the weekend with the inaugural Mikel McIver Cup on Saturday.

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Following the tournament, they held a scrimmage on Monday and the annual Black and White game on Tuesday at the Centrium. Team Black walked away with a 3-2 victory that evening.

“The week was good but it was different for me. Not only are the 15-year-olds new to me but so are the roster players,” Habscheid said. “It gave me a chance to put a face to the name and see what these guys are all about. I did a lot of watching and listening.”

With that being said, the Rebels new bench boss felt he got a better understanding of his players including the characteristics of each individual player’s game. He explained that was an important step because not everyone is going to play on the powerplay or the penalty kill. Blocking shots and effort is equally as important.

“We’re going to be fast. I think we want to possess the puck more and play faster. The big thing is to have the puck more and try to help these players to produce more offence, but not at the expense of our defensive game.”

The team subsequently trimmed their roster ahead ahead of their first preseason game on Friday in Calgary against the Hitmen.

Habscheid explained the first two games of the preseason, fans can expect to see lots of younger players in the lineup. After that, some players will depart for training camps with their professional clubs. Habscheid explained he plans to have their team systems in place before then so when those players do come back later, it will be a seamless transition.

“I think what we as coaches have to do is try to give our players the tools to try to help them score more goals… We think there’s some pretty good skill there and hopefully by involving our defence and changing a little bit of structure, it’ll help us score more goals.”

Among those headed to camps includes Matthew Gard and Luke Vlooswyk who will both participate in the Philadelphia Flyers camp after they were selected by the club this summer.

Forward Kalan Lind (Nashville Predators) and goaltender Chase Wutzke (Minnesota Wild) will also head to professional training camps. As a 20-year-old, it’s unclear whether Lind will return to the Rebels this year or not.

Meantime, Keith McInnis, Derek Thurston, Samuel Drancak, Owen Shadrick, Chase Wutzke and Noah Milford didn’t dress for the Rebels during the black and white game.

Preseason roster announced

The Rebels will head into the preseason with 32 players on the roster, including 17 forwards, 12 defencemen, and three goaltenders.

Forwards include Cash Arcand-Vandale (’09), Arjun Bawa (’05), Talon Brigley (’05), Brett Calhoon (’05), Ty Coupland (’07), Samuel Drancak (’06), Jaxon Fuder (’06), Matthew Gard (’07), Beckett Hamilton (’08), Landon MacSwain (’07), Jeff Niehaus (’07), Grayden Peterson (’09), Miller Robson (’09), Nolan Schmidt (’08), Owen Shadrick (’08), Zane Torre (’08), and Chace Turchak (’10).

Defencemen include Logan Alexis (’09), Owen Archer (’10), Jack Bousquet (’07), Nikolas Ferry (’09), Matus Lisy (’07), Keith McInnis (’06), Jake Missura (’08), Graeme Pickering (’09), Derek Thurston (’06), Luke Vlooswyk (’07), Nolan Wolitski (’10), and Nate Yellowaga (’08).

Goaltenders include Matthew Kondro (’07), Peyton Shore (’08), and Chase Wutzke (’06).

The club explained that forward Noah Milford (’08) and defenceman Matej Mikes (’07) will not take part in pre-season play due to injury.

The Rebels begin the WHL preseason on Friday, Sept. 5 when they visit the Calgary Hitmen at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex at 7 p.m. before hosting the Hitmen on Saturday at the Centrium at 6 p.m.