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WHL Red Deer Rebels

Barnstable a Natural Fit as Rebels New Goalie Coach

September 18, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


Was it really nine years ago that Kraymer Barnstable was blocking rubber for the Red Deer Rebels?

"It seems like it was just yesterday," the 28-year-old said Tuesday.

Barnstable is back for a second stint with the WHL team, this time as goaltender coach, a position he stepped into in June when Taylor Dakers accepted an offer from the Prince George Cougars.

From the time Dakers vacated his post as the Rebels goalie instructor to the moment that Barnstable was hired as his replacement . . . well, it transpired in a flash.

"Just being in Red Deer and being around the Rebels organization and then running a goalie school . . . the Rebels approached me as soon as Dakers was out," said Barnstable, who operates a goaltender instructional business called Stable In The Net. "It couldn't have worked out any better for myself. It came together very quickly and I'm glad it did."

The fact that he played in the WHL - 14 games with the Vancouver Giants in 2007-08 and 27 with the Rebels in 2009-10 - and has several years of instructional experience made Barnstable a natural for the Red Deer position.

His major junior experience, in particular, is huge, he noted.

"It's almost a must with today's goaltending," he said. "There's a lot of guys who can teach the technical game or teach the Xs and Os, but it's more guys who have been through game situations who can relate to the younger guys.

"I think that's really important, I think you have to have played at somewhat of a high level just to be a goalie coach at this level. In past years that wasn't the case, but I think nowadays, with the mental side of the game, that's really important."

Barnstable played with the junior A Lloydminster Bobcats during the 2010-11 season and the following year was with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.

But he's been in central Alberta pretty much ever since, as a three-year goaltender with the RDC Kings and then two years as a senior AAA puck stopper with the Lacombe Generals and Innisfail Eagles.

His playing days have pretty much come to an end despite the fact his position with the Rebels is part-time.

"I'm here every day and for the home games, I just don't go on the road with the team," he said.

"It's part-time but it feels like full-time, but it's the best of both worlds. I can still do my own goalie school on the side, especially with the times the Rebels practise. It works well that I can be here and focus when I'm here. I still have time to do my other stuff in the mornings and in the evenings as well."

Barnstable came up with the Stable In The Net title while he was with the Giants and was first contemplating the notion of starting a goalie instruction school.

He later worked with bantam aged goalies in Kelowna and during his final year at RDC attempted to turn his instructional skills into a full-time business.

"It really took off because there wasn't anybody really established in Red Deer," he said. "The word from most parents is that they had to drive to Calgary or Edmonton to get goalie training.

"Just using my name and the fact that I lived and played here and people remembered that . . . it was a perfect fit."

Barnstable's business is based out of the Penhold Regional Multiplex and he travels throughout central Alberta, often on assignments from Hockey Alberta.

"Hockey Alberta will send me out of town; just this past weekend I was in Drumheller," he noted. "I live in Penhold and it's a good central location."

Time management is the key, Barnstable insisted.

"The hardest part right now is just saying no to someone just because I can't go non-stop," he said. "I have to give myself some down time."

With the Rebels, Barnstable is working with second-year netminder Ethan Anders and rookie Byron Fancy.

"They're two very different personalities, two different goalies, but they both have a high level of skill," said Barnstable. "I think there has to be a different approach with both of them and there's a lot of potential this year for a really good season in net.

"'Andy' has the experience now, he's been here for a year. He has the athletic ability and the work ethic. Fancy is coming in fresh and he's a little wide-eyed, but he has a very good technical package and he moves very well.

"It's just a matter of getting the best out of both guys and making sure Fancy is working every day and preparing - it's different from midget hockey - and getting that understanding of the Western Hockey League. And with 'Andy', it's trying to work with him on the technical side of the game. So they're two different goalies who have skill sets that are different. It's just a matter of making sure they're balanced."

The Rebels open their regular season Friday against the host Edmonton Oil Kings. Red Deer's home opener is Saturday versus Edmonton.

The Rebels are still without defencemen Alex Alexeyev and Dawson Barteaux, currently attending training camp with the Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars respectively.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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