WHL Red Deer Rebels

Sedoff Struggles with Altitude During First Rebels Training Camp Session

Published on August 24, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


Finnish defenceman Christoffer Sedoff enjoyed his first Red Deer Rebels training camp session Saturday at the Centrium despite struggling to find his breath.

Coming from Helsinski, a port city at sea level, to a community that's more than 800 meters higher in elevation, the 17-year-old was bound to find oxygen in short supply right off the bat.

"I love it very much, it's awesome to be on ice," he said following the main camp session. "Finding my legs. It's always the first skate."

Sedoff said he didn't experience the same struggle last summer when he suited up for his home country in the under-18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament at the Red Deer Servus Arena.

But then again, he likely didn't push himself at the same hectic pace on a consistent basis as was the case Saturday.

"I just think he's an extremely motivated and hard working player and he pushes himself extremely hard all the time," said Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter. "Sometimes less is better.

"Every drill the first half hour here was top speed. With the altitude and everything . . . he'll adjust. He'll adapt."

No doubt he will.

"I was very excited," said Sedoff, when asked his response to being selected by the Rebels in June's CHL import draft.

As for the challenge of playing on the smaller North American ice surfaces against major junior foes during the 2019-2020 Western Hockey League season . . .

"Maybe a little while," he said, in reference to how long it wil take to become accustomed to performing on the thinner - in size - surfaces of WHL rinks. "I think guys (WHL players) are good and I'm going to be also with them."

Sedoff is confident in his all around defensive skills.

"I'm very good two-way 'D' who likes to get pucks to the forwards . . . jump up with the forwards," he said, while admitting that he's also looking forward to doling out his share of bodychecks while becoming accustomed to the WHL's physical style of play.

Sutter is confident that Sedoff will excel with the Rebels, in time. He realizes the youngster will have his ups and downs during his first season in a new country.

"You can tell he's a good player. But he's so young, he's 17," said the Rebels boss. "He's going to have some growing pains through all of this. He's a good player, he skates well, he shoots the puck well.

"Everyone says he has good hockey sense, but until we get into things . . . ask me that same question a month from now."

Main camp rosters (includes year of birth and hometown; x-returnee)

Team A Black

Goal - x-Byron Fancy, 2001, Claresholm; Eric Ward, 2001, Edmonton.

Defence - x-Ethan Sakowich, 1999, Athabasca; Kyle Masters, 2003, Edmonton; Trey Patterson, 2003, Calgary; x-Jacob Herauf, 2000, Sherwood Park; x-Hunter Donohoe, 2000, Surrey, B.C.; Mason Ward, 2002, Lloydminster.

Forwards - x-Josh Tarzwell, 2000, Red Deer; Keaton Sorensen, 2002, Red Deer; Jaxsen Wiebe, 2002, Moose Jaw; Braden Fischer, 2002, Winnipeg; x-Alex Morozoff, 2001, Saskatoon; x-Zak Smith, 2001, Austin, Man.; Jace Isley, 2002, Grande Prairie; Ethan Rowland, 2002, Calgary; x-Cameron Hausinger, 1999, Anchorage, Alaska.

Guest forward: Reese Johnson, Saskatoon.

Team B White

Goal - x-Ethan Anders, 2000, Pilot Butte, Sask; Chase Coward, 2003, Swift Current.

Defence - Christoffer Sedoff, 2002, Helsinki, Finland; x-Dawson Barteaux, 2000, Foxwarren, Man.; x-Chase Leslie, 2002, Camrose; Jeremy Hancock, 2003, Melfort, Sask.; x-Ryan Gottfried, 2001, Winnipeg; Blake Gustafson, 2002, Ardrossan.

Forwards - x-Dallon Melon, 2002, Czar; x-Brett Davis, 1999, Winnipeg; Jordan Borysiuk, 2002, Lloydminster; x-Arshdeep Bains, 2001, Surrey, B.C.; Jayden Grubbe, 2003, Calgary; x-Chris Douglas, 2000, Richmond, B.C.; Josh Medernach, 2003, Lloydminster; x-Blake Sydlowski, 2001, St. Albert.

Guest forwards - Brandon Hagel, Morinville; Scott Feser, Red Deer.

Check out the Red Deer Rebels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from August 24, 2019


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.

OurSports Central