Rebels new head coach speaks ahead of training camp

“I want us to work hard, be an offensive team that transitions quick and plays fast, and we want to be a physical team,” he said — asked what a Brent Kisio-coached team looks like, for those unfamiliar with his style.

“Red Deer’s known for being a physical organization and a hard-working one, and that’s what this city stands for. We want to make our fans proud.”

Kisio is, of course, not new to coaching.

The 43-year-old spent the last three seasons as assistant coach with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, but he’s also one of the all-time great head coaches in the history of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, which he led from 2015-2023.

While there, Kisio compiled a record of 267-176-44, becoming the franchise leader in games coached and wins. The team qualified for the playoffs every season he was at the helm, also earning a division title and two Eastern Conference Final appearances, on top of his being named the East’s nominee for WHL Coach of the Year in 2015-16.

He also won a WHL title in 2010 as assistant coach of the Calgary Hitmen.

Speaking of his time with the Silver Knights, Kisio said the work ethic in the AHL is on the next level, and that nothing comes easy in the pros.

“Guys have families, they have kids and lives, and that’s what they’re defending and playing for,” he remarked.

“For these young kids that come up, they don’t have that yet, and they’ve got to learn to take a job to the next level. It happens real quick, and it ends real quick if you don’t work for it.

Kisio sees a stark increase in uncertainty across the league, compared to when he was at the junior level last.

It’ll be some time and take assessment, he said, before the club can truly realize what its ceiling may be.

It’ll depend on a few things, he pointed out, such as how hard players kept their fitness up during the summer, and how fast they’re flying on the ice during camp.

“We’re excited to see where we stand,” he said.

Rebels fans are also eager to see where their team stands, and are hoping a stronger season can follow up the eighth-place finish they had a few months ago.

That was, from a certain point of view, an improvement on the season before, which saw them finish with 60 points and in ninth, one spot out of the postseason.

Last year, they had 58 points, but made the playoffs before bowing out to the Prince Albert Raiders 4-1 in the opening round.

Kisio also joked about how many former players of his would not like the look of him in the Rebels hoodie he was wearing during Tuesday’s media availability.

But he said any hate he personally used to have for the Rebels was sourced from a place of respect, and that he intends to pass that mentality on to players during camp and beyond.

That also means becoming a staple behind Red Deer’s bench and building consistency for this generation of Rebels.

“It takes time. You start the season to see where you stand, and the whole key is to get there as the season goes along, and as the years go along,” he stated.

“You want to develop a culture; you want to develop a lot of things in your organization. It’s a long process, but we’re starting in a couple of days here, and we’ll see where we get.”

The pre-season starts Sept. 4 in Calgary; they are home the next night in a rematch against the Hitmen, then are in Lethbridge Sept. 10, and close out exhibition play Sept. 11 at home to Edmonton.

The Rebels get the regular season underway Sept. 18 in Calgary, and return home the next night to face Edmonton.

by Josh Hall

Rebels new head coach speaks ahead of training camp

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