Barteaux Back in Red Deer for Friday Game Versus Former Teammates
Published on January 30, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Leaving the Red Deer Rebels was tough, but former team captain Dawson Barteaux came to realize that the Jan. 10 trade to the Winnipeg Ice was in his best interests.
With the Rebels looking very much like a longshot to qualify for the WHL playoffs, GM/head coach Brent Sutter dealt his greatest trade asset, 19-year-old Barteaux, to the Ice for a generous return of bantam draft picks.
On a personal note, Sutter also sent the fourth-year defenceman to a team that is currently tied for top spot in the East Division and a slam dunk to play in the post-season.
"He told me it would be good for my development," said Barteaux, who was back at the Centrium Thursday to prepare for Friday's meeting with his former teammates. "Obviously it was a tough conversation for both of us, but I agree, the trade is really good for my development, to try and get after a deep playoff run. And we definitely have the team to do it.
"I'm extremely fortunate that he helped me out in that way. That being said, I loved it here so it wasn't a worry on my mind."
Barteaux is pleased to be back in Red Deer a mere three weeks after being traded.
"I'm happy that I get to come back this quick. This place has a special place in my heart after all my years here and how I developed with the coaching staff and players," he said.
"I have a lot of good memories. I'm happy to be back but when Friday night comes it becomes business, so I'm looking forward to it."
The Foxwarren, Man., native planned to meet with former Rebels teammates later Thursday.
"I'm going to see my billets and they (players) are going to come over," said Barteaux. "Some of those guys I've been playing with since I was 16. They'll be forever friends, and yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing them today."
He admitted it was a "little odd" to check into the visitors dressing room at the Centrium for a practice session Thursday morning.
"But I'm in a good spot. I'm really happy with where I'm at and how the team looks."
The Ice, Barteaux insisted, are top heavy in talent and character.
"The big thing is the skill level we have on this team. James (head coach Patrick) implements a really hard work ethic and that (combined) with skill is really dangerous," said the Dallas Stars' 2018 NHL draft pick who signed with the big club in September.
"With the skill we have up front and on the back end too, we can really be a threat offensively. That's our big strength."
Barteaux's roles with his new team are no different from what he experienced in Red Deer. He's no longer a captain - Peyton Krebs wears the 'C' for Winnipeg - but still supplies leadership and helps run the team's first power play unit.
"I've been really fortunate, I've been playing with some really good players," he said. "I have absolutely no complaints, it's been awesome so far.
"The coaching staff has been amazing to me and the players have been really good at welcoming me in. So far it's been really good."
Rebels vs. Winnipeg Ice
Friday, 7 p.m., Centrium
The Ice own a 29-17-10-0 record and are tied for first place - with Prince Albert - in the East Division and sit fourth in the Eastern Conference. Winnipeg is 6-4-0-0 in its last 10 games . . . RW Isaac Johnson leads the Ice points parade with 53 (18g,35a) while RW Connor McClennon, recently injured and out long term, has 21 goals and 49 points in 42 games. Chicago Blackhawks prospect RW Michal Teply has racked up 43 points (19-24) and C Peyton Krebs, a first-round selection of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2019 NHL entry draft, has produced nine goals and 37 points in just 25 games since returning to the team in November. Krebs underwent surgery in June for a partially torn Achilles tendon. Former Rebels captain D Dawson Barteaux is sixth in Winnipeg team scoring with 31 points, including nine goals. He was dealt to the Ice at the Jan. 10 trade deadline . . . Krebs was the 17th overall pick in last year's NHL draft, while Teply was taken by Chicago in the fourth round. Barteaux signed with Dallas in September after being drafted by the Stars in 2018 . . . Winnipeg G Liam Hughes is 10th in the league with a 2.22 goals-against average and ninth in save percentage at 9.21. The Ice are 13-4-0-0 with Hughes in net. Jesse Makaj is 10-0-0 with a 3.84 GAA and save percentage of .864. Rookie Alexander Gage (4.92, .822 in four games) served as Hughes' back-up in a 3-2 loss Wednesday in Calgary.
Injuries: Winnipeg - RW Isaac Johnson (illness, day-to-day), RW Connor McClennon (upper body, 8-10 weeks). Red Deer - D Kyle Masters (lower body, week-to-week), D Chase Leslie (upper body, week-to-week).
Special teams: Winnipeg - Power play 23.5 per cent, fourth overall; penalty kill 74.1 per cent, 21st. Red Deer - Power play 16 per cent, 19th overall; penalty kill 76.3 per cent, 19th.
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