Fabrizi Making Big Strides During Rookie Season
February 2, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
It's easy to see why Matteo Fabrizi made an immediate impression with the Red Deer Rebels this season.
At six-foot-five and 242 pounds the 16-year-old rookie defenceman stood out among his peers.
It was then a matter of him adjusting to the Western Hockey League.
And so far, so good.
"As a young guy in the league I'm happy to be playing ... I didn't know what to expect at first, but I try to play hard, do as good as I can and hope things keep going my way," he said. "The older guys and the coaching staff have helped me through it as well."
He's played in 27 of the team's 43 games, mainly alongside Hunter Mayo, and has a goal, three assists and an impressive plus-six plus-minus rating.
"I try to focus on defence and be strong in my end," he said. "I take a lot of pride in that and to stay strong in that area."
His defensive play has impressed head coach Steve Konowalchuk as well.
"That comes down to his hockey sense in that he limits the chances against and limits the damage against. He has good body position and once he gets his legs stronger and as his speed picks up, he has a tonne of potential."
Matteo has taken a step toward adding speed, quickness and agility to his game as he's down to 230 pounds.
"It's a benefit in being a bigger guy but we set a goal for me and by slimming down I feel I'm faster and quicker. This is such a fast league I need that extra speed and I've noticed it on the ice already.
"I believe this is a good weight for me. I have better endurance and next year when I get to play a bit more, I'll be happy to have that."
"He worked hard on changing his body makeup from the start of the year which helps his speed," added Konowalchuk.
Fabrizi, a native of St. Albert, was selected by the Rebels in the second round, 31st overall, in the 2020 WHL Entry Draft out of the Yale Hockey Academy in B.C.
He played his minor hockey in St. Albert prior to joining the U15AAA program at Yale in 2019-20.
"It has a great program and a great coaching staff... a good place for me to develop," he said.
The coaches there along with some of my minor hockey coaches in St Albert helped me a lot in my development."
Matteo arrived in camp this season with an idea of making the team.
"I hoped and even expected to make the team, but you're never sure, so I was happy, and it was a relief when I made it for sure."
It was no surprise to Konowalchuk.
"He hasn't been a surprise as he has the skill and size to go with it, which is a good combination to have," he said. "We have high expectations for him this year and going forward.
"He has a great attitude ... works hard every day ... there's no issues with him, he's a pleasure to coach."
While Fabrizi doesn't look out of place he's knows there's still work to be done.
"More strength of course as I'm still 16 and there's a lot of strong older guys in the league. In practice I work a lot on my puck movement and making quick decisions with the puck."
With that will come more offence, says Konowalchuk.
"He's a smart enough player, has skill handling the puck and with a little more confidence and as he gets a little quicker the play will slow down for him, and we expect a bit more offence from him. We'll see."
Matteo, like most minor hockey players didn't play much last season because of the pandemic.
"We practised a lot, and I was one of the younger guys with the midget program so that helped, but not playing did make a difference when it came to game conditioning," he said. "But I worked hard in the summer and once I got into camp it came back quickly. Plus, there was no time to feel it out, you jumped right back into it."
Fabrizi and his mates will continue their four-game road trip this weekend as they visit Prince Albert Friday, Saskatoon Saturday and Brandon Monday. They return home Feb. 11 against Edmonton.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2022
- ICE Set to Return to the ICE Cave Inside Wayne Fleming Arena - Winnipeg Ice
- Fabrizi Making Big Strides During Rookie Season - Red Deer Rebels
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- Silvertips Sign Assistant Coach Dean DeSilva to Two-Year Contract Extension - Everett Silvertips
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- Lazaruk Calls Career Game 2000 as Blades Visit Regina - Saskatoon Blades
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