Grayden Peterson finding his scoring touch with Rebels

Peterson suited up in 42 regular season games with the Rebels last season, where he recorded just six assists.

Even coming into this season, it took him five games before he finally found the back of the net.

But as the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Peterson’s first WHL goal came in the second period against the Hitmen at the Centrium, where he scored on the offensive rush on his backhand.

Good things come to those who wait… What a moment for Grayden Peterson as he scores his first WHL goal! #RDREBELS | #WHL | @TheWHL https://t.co/gT2OEG439t

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) October 10, 2026

He was then held scoreless against the Edmonton Oil Kings before scoring in the last two games, including one at home against the Victoria Royals on Oct. 16 and two versus the Hitmen at the Saddledome last Saturday.

“I think experience for sure [has played a factor in recent success],” he said. “Also, just being older, bigger, faster, and stronger. Those 50 games in the league already, and then just the work I’ve put in the summer as well.”

Peterson trained throughout the offseason back home in North Dakota. He said he did a lot of weight training as well as improving his speed.

He felt last year he was a step behind everyone else.

“This year I’m right with them, if not ahead,” he added.

Last season was the first time he had lived away from home, and he explained that being a role player was a tough adjustment after playing top minutes back in the U.S.

Despite that, it sharpened the mental side of his game.

“I think it’s so important to be tough mentally. Last year, the biggest adjustment was all on the mental side,” he said. “Obviously, the speed and the physicality of this league were a huge change for me, but mentally was the biggest change I had to learn.”

He added that when the coaches have confidence in him, as they have over the last few games, it helps him play better and more freely.

It also helps that the Rebels have been one of the league’s best teams so far this season. The Rebels currently lead the Central Division and are second in the Eastern Conference standings with a 7-3-0-1 record.

“When the team’s winning, you’re having more fun. Everyone in the locker room is having a lot more fun this year than I’m pretty sure we did last year,” Peterson said, adding he likes the direction the team is headed.

“I think we all just want it so bad. We all want to win. Most of the guys were here for the second half last year, and just that feeling of going in every night and not coming out the way you wanted to. Everyone went home this summer, and we all just want it so bad.”

After last Saturday’s loss, the Rebels have a chance to get back in the win column with a pair of home games this weekend.

On Friday, Oct. 23, they’ll welcome the Penticton Vees to town for a 7 p.m. faceoff, then take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m.

Rebels notes:

According to the WHL’s weekly report, the Rebels reassigned forward Luke Jamieson to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Lloydminster Bobcats.

Red Deer is also dealing with a trio of injuries. Forward Chace Turchak is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and defenceman Matus Lisy is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

After forward Kohen Lodge was listed week-to-week with a lower-body injury, his injury status has changed to be determined.

by Ian Gustafson

Grayden Peterson finding his scoring touch with Rebels

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