Sutter optimistic as Rebels open training camp

Brent Sutter says he was pleased with what he saw on the opening day of training camp.

The Red Deer Rebels hit the ice Wednesday for the first time since falling to Lethbridge in game seven of the opening round of WHL Playoffs last April.

The most changes with this year’s team will come up front. Losing the likes of Adam Musil, Evan Polei and Michael Spacek means there are a number of forward spots up for grabs.

Two veterans returning from injury, Grayson Pawlenchuk and Reece Johnson, will be counted on to help fill the void and provide the Rebels with some much needed scoring ability and grit.

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On the back end, nearly the entire defence corps is returning from last season, minus Colton Bobyk. Led by last year’s Rookie of the Year and Top Defenceman Alexander Alexeyev, the blueliners look to be undisputed strength of this year’s Rebels team heading into the season.

Between the pipes, returnees Lasse Petersen and Riley Lamb are in good shape to return but will be pushed hard by Byron Fancy and Ethan Anders.

Training Camp resumes Thursday with on-ice testing at 10 a.m. and continues through Sunday.

The Black/White Game goes Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.

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TEAM BACK (MAIN GROUP A)

Forwards

7              Brandon Hagel                 8/98       Morinville, AB                    HT:  6’0 1/2  WT:  174
8              Kristian Reichel                 6/98       Most, Czech Republic     HT:  6’1  WT:  168
9              Lane Zablocki                   12/98     Wetaskiwin, AB                HT:  6’0  WT:  182
10           Grayson Pawlenchuk         3/97       Ardrossan, AB                  HT:  5’11 1/2  WT:  186
11           Austin Pratt                        7/99       Lakeville, MN                    HT:  6’2 1/2  WT:  205
12           Mason McCarty                1/97       Blackie, AB                        HT:  5’10  WT:  180
13           Dawson Martin                  1/98       Winnipeg, MB                   HT:  5’11 1/2  WT:  164
14           Reese Johnson                 7/98       Saskatoon, SK                  HT:  6’1   WT:  182
15           Akash Bains                      2/99       Delta, BC                          HT:  6’0  WT:  189
16           Jordan Roy                       9/98       Lethbridge, AB                  HT:  6’3  WT:  200

Defence

2              Alexander Alexeyev       11/99       St. Petersburg, Russia       HT:  6’3  WT:  200
3              Brandon Schuldhaus       2/98       Calgary, AB                        HT:  6’4  WT:  198
4              Carson Sass                    5/99       Melville, SK                        HT:  6’0 1/2  WT:  182
5              Jared Freadrich               3/98       Camrose, AB                      HT:  5’10  WT:  174
6              Ethan Sakowich               2/99       Athabasca, AB                   HT:  6’1 1/2  WT:  188

Goal

Black      Riley Lamb                       8/98       Rivers, MB                          HT:  6’0  WT:  176
Yellow   Lasse Petersen                 7/97       Swan River, MB                  HT:  6’2  WT:  177

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TEAM WHITE (MAIN GROUP B)

Forwards

8              Reilly Funk                       12/00     Portage La Prairie, MB                   HT:  6’2  WT:  181
9              Jayden McCarthy             2/01       Morris, MB                                     HT:  5’11  WT:  188
10           Zak Smith                          5/01      Austin, MB                                      HT:6’2  WT:  181
11           Brandon Cutler                 1/00       Spruce Grove, AB                           HT:  6’0 1/2  WT:  185
12           Austin Schellenberg          8/00       Grande Prairie, AB                         HT:  5’11 1/2  WT:  155
13           Justin Svenson                  4/01       Ile Des Chenes, MB                      HT:  5’11  WT:  185
14           Arshdeep Bains                 1/01       Surrey, BC                                    HT:  6’0  WT:  174
15           River Fahey                        5/01       Campbell River, BC                     HT:  6’1 1/2  WT:  191
16           Chris Douglas                     7/00      Richmond, BC                              HT:  6’0 1/2  WT:  171
17           Blake Sydlowski                10/01     St. Albert, AB                                 HT:  6’0  WT:  191
18           Riley Johnson                    5/00       Winnipeg, MB                                HT:  6’1  WT:  151
19           Chase Lowry                      5/00       Sherwood Park, AB                      HT:  5’11 1/2  WT:  190

Defence

2              Jacob Herauf                      5/00       Sherwood Park, AB                       HT:  6’0   WT:  176
3              Nic Draffin                          8/01       Lethbridge, AB                               HT:  6’2 1/2  WT:  210
4              Hunter Donohoe                7/00       Surrey, BC                                      HT:  6’4 1/2  WT:  182
5              Sam Pouliot                        5/00       North Vancouver, BC                     HT:  6’0 1/2  WT:  165
6              Ryan Gottfried                   8/01       Winnipeg, MB                                 HT:  6’3  WT:  198
7              Dawson Barteaux             1/00       Foxwarren, MB                                HT:  6’0 1/2  WT:  176

Goal

White    Byron Fancy                       2/01      Claresholm, AB                             HT:  6’1 1/2  WT:  186
Red        Ethan Anders                    9/00      Regina, SK                                    HT:  6’0  1/2  WT:  186