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WHL

Rebels training camp rolls on

Aug 28, 2019 | 2:06 PM

Red Deer Rebels Training Camp is off to a competitive start.

A number of returning and new players hit the ice for the first time this year at the Westerner Park Centrium starting last Saturday.

The Rebels will be facing a heavy task heading into the 2019-2020 season with one of the youngest rosters they’ve had since hosting the Memorial Cup in 2016. As many as 10 new players will be fighting for a spot on the team this season.

“There is young guys coming in to try and get our spots too so it’s been really competitive,” explains returning forward Zak Smith.

With many new faces coming into the locker room this year, the Rebels will be focusing heavily on their veterans to lead by example. Already half way into training week, the coaching staff is pleased with what they’re seeing on the ice.

“It’s a good group of young guys and the older guys have been doing their job,” shared assistant coach Brad Flynn. “Brent has talked about making sure it’s the older guys that are fitting in with the younger players and they have been doing a very good job of working with the younger guys so far and being mentors.

“The younger players to their credit have been very receptive and they go hand in hand,” Flynn added. “You want mentors and you want players that want to be coached, be receptive and both sides have been doing really well and it’s been exciting for us.”

Flynn says he’s liked the intensity players have shown at camp.

“So far this camp these guys have been working really hard and everybody wants a spot to play in Red Deer. It’s a great organization, it’s a great city, so nobody’s taking it lightly and it’s showing on the ice.”

A few of the returning players are already starting to feel the responsibility weigh in, including Smith.

“That’s what happens when you become a vet, you got to take younger guys under your wing and lead by example. I think Brent expects all of the vets to lead, so I’ll do the best I can,” he acknowledged.

Smith admitted it’ll take a total group effort to generate offence for the Rebels this season after losing the likes of Brandon Hagel, Reese Johnson and Jeff de Wit.

“Everyone’s got to pitch in. Hags, Johnny and Dewy last year took a huge load off of the team by putting up lots of points. I think this year we are not going to have one main goal scorer, we are going to have to have a lot of guys pitch in every game. If we do that we are going to win a bunch of games.”

Following a disappointing loss in the first round of the playoffs last season, hopes are still high for this year’s team.

Forward Arshdeep Bains knows the importance of team chemistry towards success.

“Hopefully as a team we can score lots. Individual success will happen after team success. I think we can prove a lot of people wrong and be a good team,” he said.

The Rebels will wrap up training week with the Black and White Game this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Westerner Park Centrium.

The Rebels announced their captain for the 2018-19 season on Wednesday, handing the ‘C’ to veteran defenceman Dawson Barteaux.

Alternate captains will be announced at a later date.

The Rebels made a trade on Tuesday, sending 19-year-old defenceman Hunter Donohoe to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for the rights to goaltender Louden Hogg (2002 born) and a conditional 7th round selection in the 2020 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

Rookie camp opens Wednesday with a scrimmage at 10 a.m. The main camp players will scrimmage at 2 p.m. and the rookies will be back on the ice at 4 p.m.

Rebels rookie camp rosters

(Includes year of birth and hometown; a-draft pick, b-listed, c-invited)

Team A Grey

Goal — a-Merik Erickson, 2004, Delta, B.C.; a-Dylan Lacroix, ’03, Calgary.

Defence — c-JR Ashmead, ’03, Calgary; a-Jace Weir, ’04, Coldstream, B.C.; a-Kody Norberg, ’04, Warman, Sask.; c-Quinton Unreiner, ’03, Medicine Hat; c-Connor Klassen, ’03, Crooked Creek, Alta.; c-Luke Marshall, ’04, Saskatoon; c-Lane Bull, Revelstoke, B.C.

Forwards — c-Caelan Fitzpatrick, ’03, Moose Jaw; a-Carter Anderson, ’04, Thompson, Man.; a-Parker Lalonde, ’04, Aberdeen, Sask.; c-Levi Fesyk, ’04, St. Albert; b-Connor Poffenroth, ’03, Okotoks; c-Keagon Little, ’03, Wymark, Sask.; c-Zakk Makeiff, ’04, St. Albert; c-Matthew Perkins, ’04, White City, Sask.; c-Rachonne Henry, ’03, Woodmore, Man.; c-Josh Fast, 03, East St. Paul, Man.; c-Adam Ingram, West St. Paul, Man.

Team B Burgundy

Goal — a-Justen Maric, ’04, Edmonton; a-Zane Winter, ’03, Carlyle, Sask.

Defence — c-Alex Serraglio, ’03, Langley, B.C.; a-Hunter Mayo, ’04, Saskatoon; c-Aiden Dufault, ’03, Narol, Man.; a-Logan Wright, ’04, Plymouth, Minn.; c-Samuel Lawson, ’04, Calgary; c-Samuel Belanger, ’04, Edmonton; c-Ranon Joseph, ’03, Sherwood Park.

Forwards — c-Benjamin Schmidt, ’04, Southey, Sask.; a-Dylan Fader, ’03, Vancouver; c-Logan Breitkreuz, ’04, Regina; a-Declan Cosford, ’04, Regina; a-Hunter Brown, ’03, Fort St. John, B.C.; c-Carter Sachs, ’04, Warman, Sask.; c-Riley Teulon, ’04, Dubai, United Emirates; a-Jhett Larson, ’04, Delisle, Sask.; b-Kyle Heintz, ’03, Luseland, Sask.; c-Jackson Rowland, ’04, Calgary; c-Cameron Hibbert, ’03, Winnipeg; c-Liam Gorman, ’04, Leduc.