Rebels veterans return to Red Deer following NHL camps

Chase Wutzke

Goaltender Chase Wutzke has returned to Red Deer and did not come back empty handed.

Earlier this week the Minnesota Wild announced they signed Wutzke to a three-year, entry-level contract starting this season.

This comes after he was selected by the Wild in the fifth round, and 142nd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Speaking with local media this week, Wutzke said the realization of signing his first professional contract hadn’t settled in yet.

“It’s pretty exciting that’s for sure,” he said. “It was awesome [attending Wild training camp for the second time]. All the guys are great and all the staff is amazing so I really enjoyed it.”

Wutzke explained what stood out to him this time around was the speed of the game.

“Everything is more advanced… For me, I’ve got to be on the shot every time otherwise it’s going to end up in the back of the net,” he added.

The 19-year-old from Debden, Sask. recorded a 3.38 goals-against average (GAA), an .895 save percentage, and one shutout in 50 games for the Rebels last season.

Overall, he has a 40-35-10 record with a 3.21 GAA, an .896 save percentage, and two shutouts in 93 career games in four WHL seasons.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, he’ll most likely get the start in net on Saturday night at the Centrium against the Hurricanes.

“I can’t wait to jump into some games and be with the boys,” he said. “I’m ecstatic.”

Jaxon Fuder

Fuder also returned to central Alberta with his first professional contract, despite going undrafted.

Just a day after Wutzke’s deal was announced, the Dallas Stars announced they signed the 19 -year-old from Cold Lake, Alta. to a three-year, entry-level contract, which begins this season.

He competed in the Stars’ development camp earlier this summer after he went undrafted in the 2025 NHL draft and at training camp on an amateur tryout agreement.

He said it felt awesome to sign with such a great organization.

“To sit with you family and watch the draft and nothing come of it and go there, it was kind of a surprise,” he said. “It’s pretty awesome.”

What he noticed most about attending his first NHL training camp was how hard everyone works.

“You’ve got all the pro guys who’ve been in the league for 15 years, just seeing how they take on their every day lives and handle everything is pretty awesome,” he said.

He was able to put a few points on the board during some scrimmages at camp including a goal.

“You go out there and try to show what you’ve got. To be able to put a couple of points on the board is awesome,” he said.

In his rookie campaign in Red Deer during the 2024-25 season, Fuder had 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 46 games. He also had 91 penalty minutes, which led all WHL rookies.

He joined the Rebels following the start of last season after he played in the British Columbia Junior A Hockey League from 2021-22 to 2024-25.

“I have that experience now so coming back here we have a lot of young guys in the room. I’ll just lead by example and show them what it takes,” Fuder added.

Luke Vlooswyk

Fresh off his first NHL training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers, Vlooswyk said it was an amazing experience.

It all started during rookie camp when he got to play a couple games against the New York Rangers. From there, he took park in main camp where he skated alongside players he grew up watching.

“That was a pretty surreal moment, especially when they’re coming up talking to you just chatting like one of the guys,” he said. “It was great and I learned so much.”

One of those players happened to be Sean Couturier, who has 13 seasons in the NHL, and is also captain of the club.

Vlooswyk expected to just blend in with the rest of the young players but he said Couturier made him feel like he was part of the team.

He was selected by the Flyers 157th overall in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL draft.

“From a hockey perspective, [training camp] definitely pointed out the areas of my game that I need to work on. Just my mobility, those guys are quick up there and I think another thing is they’re strong. We might weigh the same but they’re 30 year old men with man strength. I’m not quite their yet but I’m also fortunate I do have some time.”

The 18-year-old defenceman from Calgary had three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 68 games last year. This season, the Rebels rear guard will look to take another step up.

“I’m really excited about the group that we have. We’re really tight as a group… it feels like we have a team and we have a really good thing going on here. I’m excited.”

Matthew Gard

Gard joined Vlooswyk in Philadelphia at camp where the pair showcased their skill set at the games highest level.

Gard said when it came to hockey he learned a lot while in Philadelphia for two weeks. The 18-year-old from Winnipeg, Man. even got to play in a preseason game.

“I think the speed of the game [was a learning point] and how different it can be at times… I think I kept up with the pace of play and did my think out there. Jut have to work on that strength,” he said.

The preseason game he did appear in was at the Bell Centre in Montreal against the Canadiens, one of the leagues most historic franchises. He said it was a dream come true.

“It was a pretty electric game and it was super cool to play in a realy NHL preseason game,” he said. “I was really nervous going in and then I think I finally settled in during warmups and after my first shift.”

Gard was selected by the Flyers in the second round, 57th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Last season, he notched 19 goals an 17 assists for 36 points in 66 games in Red Deer. He hopes to build off that this year and also get a little bit stronger.

“I’m really excited to be back here. We’ll try to change things around this weekend and get that first win.”

by Ian Gustafson

Rebels veterans return to Red Deer following NHL camps

Chase Wutzke

Jaxon Fuder

Luke Vlooswyk

Matthew Gard

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