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WHL Red Deer Rebels

Rebels Top Two Rearguards Eager to Get Season Underway After Attending First NHL Training Camps

September 20, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


Shortly after being selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round of June's NHL entry draft, Alex Alexeyev engaged in a witty FaceTime session with sniper extraordinaire and fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin.

The fun continued during this year's Caps training camp, from which Alexeyev returned to the Red Deer Rebels Wednesday.

"I played against him (during a training camp scrimmage) and he tried to hit me a couple times," the 18-year-old defenceman said Thursday, all the time wearing a grin. "For a long time I was looking up to him as a legend and now I'm on the ice with him, so it was awesome."

Alexeyev played in his first-ever NHL preseason game Tuesday, picking up an assist in a 5-2 loss to Boston. Understandably, he had a slight case of the jitters early in the contest.

"It was really fun actually. The first couple of shifts I was maybe a little nervous, but when I get an assist it was awesome and I started to feel comfortable and (was) getting better every shift," he said.

"I was very proud to wear the jersey. I had a fun time there and I am excited to get back to Red Deer."

Alexeyev was returned to the Rebels perhaps a little earlier than expected, but he insisted the experience was plenty educational.

"I try to learn as much as I can and I learn a lot there," he said. "Now I bring it here to maybe help some young guys too. I will try to do my best here."

Alexeyev, who converted a strong sophomore season with the Rebels into being the 31st overall pick in this year's NHL draft, was dazzled by the talent and mannerisms of Capitals defencemen John Carlson and countryman Dmitry Orlov.

"I was really impressed with them because they are defencemen who I should look up to," he said. "They're really awesome guys and they're really good on the ice.

"I actually was playing with Orlov and he was giving me advice and I learn a lot from him."

Arriving back in Red Deer at roughly the same time as Alexeyev was fellow Rebels rearguard Dawson Barteaux, fresh from the camp of the Dallas Stars who took the Foxwarren, Man., native in the sixth round of the draft.

He, like his teammate, let everything soak in during his first pro camp.

Dawson Barteaux "I was really impressed by everything there, the players obviously with how they control themselves and everything they do to get ready for the games and even the practices, so it was a really good experience," said the 18-year-old.

"I got a good look at all those guys and how professional they are and saw how I have to get better at certain things to get up to that level."

Before departing, Barteaux was advised on what aspects of his game have to improve this season and down the road.

"All the little things, like getting quicker. Everything has to get better - your shot, your hands. Everything has to get up to that next level obviously to make that next step," he said.

"They (Stars) just want me to get bigger and stronger, just kind of stuff that I can control."

Asked if there was anything unusual that stood out during his time with the Stars, Barteaux answered in the affirmative.

"One thing I found really cool was when we flew back from Traverse City (from a prospects tournament in Michigan)," he said. "We had La-Z-Boys on our plane, which was a little different from the bus rides with Red Deer, so that was luxury for sure.

"I could get used to that."

As was the case with Alexeyev in Washington, Barteaux was somewhat star struck and at the same time appreciative of being in the company of the Stars veterans, including offensive blueliner John Klingberg.

"He's an unbelievable player. His skating is world class, his hands, his vision," said Barteaux.

"And just someone with how he holds himself, that would probably be Jamie Benn. I watched him, how he gets ready for games and practices and how he acts and eats . . . stuff like that. He's just so professional.

"I had a good conversation with Jason Spezza and it was like 'oh my God, I kind of want your autograph'. But you can't be doing that obviously because you're going to battle with him in practice."

The Rebels top two defencemen will be in uniform Friday when the Rebels open their WHL regular season with a date with the host Edmonton Oil Kings and again Saturday when the two clubs clash at the Centrium.

"I'm really excited to get out there for practice today and see all the guys. I was missing them," said Barteaux. "It (Stars training camp) was an awesome experience but I'm glad to be back here."

Barteaux hasn't set any high bars for the 2018-19 season regarding either personal or team goals.

"Just be the best I can be and help my team as much as I can," he said. "I'm excited for the year and hope it's a good year and I'm going to push myself harder than I ever have before."

Alexeyev, meanwhile, is shooting for the moon.

"I'm looking for Memorial Cup."

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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.

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