Yahoo Sports 2024-25 WHL Season Preview: Red Deer Rebels
Welcome to The Hockey News 2024-25 season preview series. From August 29 to September 20, THN's WHL duo will examine some of the biggest storylines facing each team this season. Today's edition is focused on the Red Deer Rebels, who look to make a deep run in the 2025 playoffs.
2023-24 Statistics:
Regular Season Record: 33-26-3-6, 75 Points (3rd Central Division)
Playoffs: Defeated Medicine Hat 4-1
Defeated by Saskatoon 4-0
Key Departures: Kai Uchacz (F), Dwayne Jean Jr. (F), Elias Carmichael (D)
Key Additions: Kasper Pikkarainen (F), Cohen Poulin (F), Nolan Schmidt (F)
Based on training camp, Red Deer is projected to be a team that plays scrappy, grinding hockey. While the Rebels would love to avenge their four-game sweep at the hands of the Blades in the 2024 postseason, there will be some challenges; particularly in the leadership position. Departing this season is longtime Rebel and one-time captain Kai Uchacz, who led Red Deer in scoring by a significant margin over the last two seasons. Luckily for the central Alberta franchise, there are a host of players ready to take on more responsibility: assistant captains Kalan Lind and Hunter Mayo, to name a couple.
In saying that Uchacz ran away with the Rebels scoring title, steps have been taken to rebuild the core. Acquiring British Columbia native Cohen Poulin as a free agent, and selecting Finn Kasper Pikkarainen in the CHL Import Draft add some exciting youth to the lineup. Additionally, 2007-born Matthew Gard and Seattle Kraken prospect Ollie Josephson are primed for big seasons.
Defensively, keeping the band together has been a feat in and of itself. Jace Weir and Hunter Mayo enter their fifth season together, while Quentin Bourne and Matteo Fabrizi join the pair for a third campaign on the Rebels blue line. This group should have plenty of cohesion, and if all goes well, will end up taking them far.
Last but not least, Minnesota Wild prospect Chase Wutzke takes the crease once again as the likely starting goaltender. While his numbers weren't breaking records, Wutzke carried a quite respectable .904 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average through 36 games last season.
This team may not be elite on paper, but watch for Red Deer to be a stable, formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference.
Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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