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Red Deer Rebels

De Wit Hopeful He Can be a Difference Maker in Second Time Around with Rebels

August 22, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


Forward Jeff de Wit with the Regina Pats
Forward Jeff de Wit with the Regina Pats
(Red Deer Rebels)

Bon Jovi were clearly in an inquisitive state of mind when the rockers released the tune 'Who Says You Can't Go Home' in 2005.

Jeff de Wit is wondering the same thing.

The 20-year-old forward is preparing for his second stint with his hometown Red Deer Rebels after being given the opportunity by GM/head coach Brent Sutter.

The two sat down for a face-to-face six weeks ago after de Wit, who had played four seasons at the major junior level, passed through Western Hockey League waivers.

"I wasn't really sure what was happening come August and he (Sutter) sat me down," de Wit said Wednesday, as the Rebels' main camp opened at the Centrium. "The meeting was more like 'what do you want out of this year?'

"Obviously I was put on waivers and no one claimed me. He (Sutter) was there to offer me a second chance, but there was more going on than that. I obviously had to meet some goals for me to be here right now and I'm here, so I've done that. But the work doesn't stop here. I definitely have a lot more to accomplish to earn my keep."

One of the goals de Wit had to meet to even get to training camp was to get himself into better physical condition.

"I was on a six-week program where I just had to change my off ice habits . . . nutrition, sleep, working out . . . everything that every one of these guys does to be a top athlete," said the 20-year-old.

"It was a tough six weeks and I'm proud of where I've gotten so far. But like I said, the work doesn't stop now."

De Wit was the Rebels' first-round pick in the 2013 WHL bantam draft and played two and a half seasons in Red Deer before being traded - along with defenceman Josh Mahura - to the Regina Pats in a mega deal in January of 2017.

The right-shot centre, listed at six-foot-three and 210 pounds last season, opened the 2017-18 campaign with one goal and one assist in seven games with the Pats. In December, he was dealt to the Kootenay Ice, for whom he scored twice and collected two helpers in 15 games before being sent to the Victoria Royals.

The Red Deer native seemed to find his offensive footing on Vancouver Island, notching eight goals and contributing 14 points in 21 regular-season games and potting a pair of markers in nine playoff contests.

The Royals decided not to bring de Wit back this fall and Sutter not only felt his former player was worth a second look, but was convinced de Wit could be an effective performer if he played to his potential.

De Wit believes that as well.

"I feel that way. I'm fairly confident right now especially with the work I've done over the last six weeks," he said. "I talked to Brent this morning and the conversation was more along the lines of proving people wrong.

"I have a second chance now and it's up to me to prove something to people who doubted me. A lot of people have turned their backs on me in the hockey world, and rightfully so.

"My off ice habits were not even close to where they needed to be. It's time that I grow up and learn how to be a pro."

De Wit is pleased that Sutter believes in his potential, but potential only goes so far and the former 14th overall bantam draft pick knows that he's at a point of no return considering there are only three overage roster berths open on the team.

"It's nice to have Brent in my corner, for sure," said de Wit. "That being said, I'm still competing for three spots. It's not 14 spots anymore, it's three 20-year-olds spots and I'm here to do that.

"I hope that come exhibition and opening night roster that I'm still here in Red Deer."

While de Wit already has four years of secondary education - books and tuition - eligibility under his belt, he could possibly draw some pro interest with a solid WHL overage season.

"I do feel that way, but I'm just trying to get to the start of the season here," he said. "If i do that then I truly do believe that I can re-open some doors.

"I think I've made a lot of strides recently and I think the strides I made will become more noticeable as the weeks and months go on.

"But I'm just taking it day by day right now. I still have to do a little more work than anyone else out here to get myself ready to compete."

Rebels training camp continues Thursday and officially ends next Wednesday with the Black and White intrasquad game.

Rookie camp will begin Sunday and will run in conjunction with main camp.

Main camp rosters

(Includes year of birth and hometown; x-returnee)

Team Black

Goal - Byron Fancy (2001), Claresholm; Carter Serhyenko ('02), Saskatoon.

Defence - x-Hunter Donohoe ('00), Surrey, B.C.; x-Colin Paradis ('98), Sherwood Park; Ryan Gottfried ('01), Winnipeg; x-Dawson Barteaux ('00), Foxwarren, Man.; Jace Isley ('02), Grande Prairie; x-Ethan Sakowich ('99), Athabasca.

Forwards - x-Josh Tarzwell ('00), Red Deer; x-Reese Johnson ('98, Saskatoon; Jordan Borysiuk ('02), Manville; x-Austin Schellenberg ('00), Grande Prairie; x-Alex Morozoff ('01), Saskatoon; Jeff de Wit ('98), Red Deer; x-Zak Smith ('01), Austin, Man.; Jayden McCarthy ('01), Morris, Man.; x-Justin Svenson ('01), Ile Des Chenes, Man.; Garrett Valk ('02), North Vancouver.

Team White

Goal - x-Ethan Anders ('00), Pilot Butte, Sask.

Defence - x-Alex Alexeyev ('99), St. Petersburg, Russia; Nic Draffin ('01), Lethbridge; x-Carson Sass ('99), Melville, Sask.; x-Sam Pouliot ('00), North Vancouver; Chase Leslie ('02), Camrose; x-Jacob Herauf ('00), Sherwood Park.

Forwards - x-Brandon Hagel ('98), Morinville; Oleg Zaytsev ('01), Moscow, Russia; Jayden Grubbe ('03), Calgary; Blake Sydlowski ('01), St. Albert; x-Chris Douglas ('00), Richmond, B.C.; x-Arshdeep Bains ('01), Surrey, B.C.; x-River Fahey (;01), Campbell River, B.C.; Ethan Rowland (;02), Calgary; x-Brandon Cutler ('00), Spruce Grove; Jaxson Wiebe (;02), Moose Jaw.

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Images from this story

Forward Jeff de Wit with the Regina Pats
Forward Jeff de Wit with the Regina Pats
   

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