WHL Red Deer Rebels

Rebels Prospect Medernach Projects as Strong Two-Way WHL Performer

Published on August 28, 2018 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


When the Red Deer Rebels selected Josh Medernach in the third round, of this year's WHL bantam draft, Shaun Sutter described the forward as a solid all-zones player.

Turns out that Medernach agrees with the Rebels assistant GM/director of player personnel.

"I try to play like a two-way game, finish my checks, go hard to the net," the 15-year-old said this weekend during the rookie camp portion of the Rebels training camp at the Centrium. "Back check, try to make the simple play . . . just play hard."

"With Medernach, all of the guys who have coached him describe him as a glue guy, a player who will go through the wall for you," said Sutter, after nabbing the Lloydminster native in the draft. "He's a character kid who comes from a character family.

"He can skate, has skill and can make plays. He's a guy who always plays well in playoffs because he's a gamer."

Medernach was indeed impressive in this year's Canadian Sport Hockey Schools Hockey League post-season play, helping the OHA bantam prep team out of Edmonton capture the league championship.

"We had a great group of guys and we just came together in playoffs and finished it off," said the Lloydminster native.

Then came the bantam draft and his 50th overall selection

"That was a great experience," he said. "I was just happy for my family and a lot of people who have supported me the whole way."

As for the offensive skills Sutter referred to, the five-foot-11, 165-pound Medernach scored 16 goals and collected 36 points in 30 games with the OHA squad last season.

He also had a goal and an assist as a member of Team Northwest at last spring's Alberta Cup and scored once in eight games while playing with the Western Canada entry - with Rebels first-round pick Jayden Grubbe as a teammate - in the under-15 World Selects Invitational in Philadelphia in May.

Medernach attended the Rebels prospects camp in June and is now enjoying his time in rookie camp.

"I was here back in June so I already knew what the rink was like, but just coming here is a great experience," he said.

Medernach will be back at the OHA this fall as a member of the midget prep team. Defenceman Kyle Masters, the Rebels' second first-round pick this year, will be a teammate at the academy.

Medernach has his sights set on cracking the Rebels roster as a 16-year-old next fall.

"Hopefully I can be here next year," he said. "I have a lot to improve on, for sure. I have to get bigger, strong and faster. Those little things just have to improve."

And once he's earned regular employment with the Rebels, he's confident of what he can provide.

"I can be a hard offensive and defensive player,": he said. "Just kind of winning my draws . . . just taking care of the little details."

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Western Hockey League Stories from August 28, 2018


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