Hausinger Revels in Leadership Role with Rebels
September 24, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Instead of moping about a pair of season-opening losses, Red Deer Rebels veteran Cam Hausinger sees the games as learning experiences.
Red Deer dropped back-to-back contests to the Edmonton Oil Kings during the weekend. Edmonton is one of the Western Hockey League's premier teams and Hausinger credited the Oil Kings for their speed and ability to take advantage of the Rebels' errors.
"I thought we had periods of five-to 10-minute increments that we played really well," the 20-year-old forward said Tuesday, in reference to Saturday's 4-2 loss and Sunday's 4-1 setback.
"Then we'd shut off our brain and make simple mistakes and simple turnovers that could be avoided. Once we gave them their bit of consistency they just kind of ran with it and dominated the games for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. It was kind of hard to get out of our zone.
"They're a good, fast, puck moving team. They move pucks up fast from their 'D' to their forwards and that's a trait that we want to have. I think our team has some good speed, some solid bodies and some good 'D' that can make those plays.
"We played in our 'D' zone a lot. They're a tough team to play against, so kudos to them. Now if we can take some of that and incorporate it into our game I think it would make us a lot better."Ë
The Rebels could very well be the youngest team in the league this season and it's going to take time, perhaps a couple of months, to get up to speed against the more veteran-laden squads like the Oil Kings.
Hausinger didn't argue that fact.
"You can tell there's a lot of work to do and you can tell that there has to be more focus involved with our game," he said. "Just doing the little things right is a big thing."
Hausinger, along with fellow overagers Brett Davis and Ethan Sakowich, are wearing 'A's this season as assistants to captain Dawson Barteaux.
Hausinger was an alternate captain with the rebuilding Kootenay Ice last season prior to being acquired in late November and beginning his second stint with the Rebels.
"I really enjoyed wearing a letter with Kootenay, it (assuming a leadership role) is something I love to do," he said. "I love to be looked at as a leader.
"In the locker room guys can come over and ask me questions about whatever, they don't even have to be hockey related.
"I'm a guy who's going to be around and try to bring everyone's spirits up, especially after a bad weekend when you're oh-and-two. I'm going to be telling everyone today that it's just another day to get better, another day to be a better team. I love having that role and I try to be very influential to the young guys."
Hausinger averaged nearly a point per game with the Rebels last season. He had 17 points (8g,9a) with the Ice before scoring 13 goals and collecting 37 points in 40 games with Red Deer.
The five-foot-10, 191-pound winger, whom the Rebels acquired from the Saskatoon Blades in 2016 and then traded to Kootenay a year later, is skating on Red Deer's top line this season, along with Davis and 19-year-old Josh Tarzwell.
The line saw the best of the Oil Kings forwards during the weekend and will undoubtedly go up against the top skaters on most teams this winter. For the Rebels to experience success, the threesome will have to win more than its share of head-to-head clashes.
"We talk about that in the locker room, about being better than the guys you're lined up against," said the Anchorage, Alaska native. "If everyone can do that you're going to win the game, it's pretty simple.
"I take the challenge of playing against the top players very seriously. I like that and I like the competitive nature that it brings. I want to be better than their top players. I want to compete and outwork them."
Once they get more accustomed to each other, Hausinger is confident he and his linemates can be consistently productive.
"Our line has some work to do still. We're a good line, we bring some good characteristics and good traits that mold well with each other," he said.
"With Tarz, his work ethic is unbelievable and his skill (set) is, I would say, one of the best on the team. And then Davis has tremendous skill and good speed and makes good heads-up plays. Me, I'm just going to work and grab pucks and shoot pucks.
"I think it's a line that can mold and gel real well. We just need a little more confidence."
The Rebels are in Lethbridge Friday to face the Hurricanes and host the Calgary Hitmen Saturday.
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