Rebels Rookie Defenceman Sedoff to Participate in Major Junior Showcase
December 17, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
Despite being a 17-year-old far from home and entering his first Western Hockey League season, Christoffer Sedoff wasn't thrown into the shallow end of the pool.
The Finnish defenceman has played key minutes for the Red Deer Rebels in his rookie season and the experience of going head to head with some of the league's best forwards has expedited his development.
"He's played against top lines and handled himself well. Him and Barts (Rebels captain and veteran Dawson Barteaux) have been a really good pair for us," GM/head coach Brent Sutter said Tuesday, one day after Sedoff was selected as one of 13 WHL players to compete in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Jan. 16 in Hamilton.
In NHL Central Scouting's most recent Players to Watch list, Sedoff was identified as a 'B' prospect, a possible second- to third-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft.
That list was released in November and clearly the pro scouts haven't changed their mind regarding Sedoff's pro potential.
"All 31 NHL clubs have a say in the player selection process and take great interest in this best-on-best showcase," said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting, in a press release. "The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a great opportunity for scouts and general managers to evaluate talent and we look forward to seeing which players will make their mark in Hamilton."
Sedoff, as is the case with most first-year WHL defencemen, made his share of errors earlier in the season but has come on strong - as have his teammates - in recent weeks.
"He's developed with the rest of them," said Sutter. "It comes with experience, getting to know our league, his teammates and the way North American hockey is . . . just a lot of different things.
"It's awesome and really cool too that he's been picked for the Prospects Game."
The 40 players to participate in the game will be divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting and announced - along with the coaching staffs - earlier next month.
The Rebels are currently on their Christmas break and will return to action Dec. 27 against the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2019
- Rockets defenceman Kaedan Korczak named to Vaughn CHL Team of the Week - Kelowna Rockets
- Teddy Bear Toss Collects Silvertips Record 10,236 Stuffed Animals - Everett Silvertips
- Beckman, Sillinger, & Korczak Named to Vaughn CHL Team of the Week - WHL
- Preview: Giants at Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
- Rebels Rookie Defenceman Sedoff to Participate in Major Junior Showcase - Red Deer Rebels
- Royals Sign Head Coach Dan Price to Contract Extension - Victoria Royals
- ICE and Wheat Kings Battle Before the Holiday Break. - Winnipeg Ice
- Battle of Manitoba Continues Tuesday Night - Brandon Wheat Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
