WHL Red Deer Rebels

Sutter Credits Coaching Staff for Rebels Strong Start to Season

Published on November 16, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release


The Red Deer Rebels are a year older and a year wiser than the crew that struggled through the abbreviated 2020-21 Western Hockey League season.

But comparing the current edition with the squad that won four of 24 games last winter is not a fair measure, insists team owner, president and general manager Brent Sutter.

"No question, guys being a year more experienced and stronger is big, but you can't even think about last season because it was a mess, the whole setup," said Sutter, whose team is off to its best start in years this fall.

"The kids were playing for nothing and at the end of the day that has an impact on performance. We were just trying to get them 24 games and we made that work."

Of course, this is also a different team on paper, thanks to the off-season additions of goalie Connor Ungar, forwards Liam Keeler and Kai Uchacz and the more recent acquisition of winger Blake Stevenson. Plus, the return of Finnish defenceman Christoffer Sedoff, who was here two years ago but wasn't allowed to come over last winter due to the pandemic, has been huge.

Without a doubt, this is a stronger team in terms of personnel, but the added talent and the extra year of maturity are only parts of the equation.

As much as anything, Sutter credits the coaching staff of newly hired head man Steve Konowalchuk, assistant Mike Egener and goalie coach Ian Gordon, and holdover assistants Ryan Colville and Erik Lodge, for making it all work.

"The coaches have done an outstanding job, Steve and his staff," Sutter said this week. "Overall they've done a really good job.

"It's exactly the way I want to see a coaching staff perform. You have to be disciplined and you have to be a hard working, committed team."

Red Deer is second in the Central Division, two points back of the nationally top-10 ranked Edmonton Oil Kings, whom the Rebels have defeated in three of four meetings this season.

Consistency has been a calling card of the current team, which has shown up on a regular basis, outside of the season-opening 4-1 loss to the host Oil Kings and 2-0 setback at the hands of the Calgary Hitmen Oct. 16 in a CBC televised game at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

"Outside of those two games and the odd period here and there, for the most part our consistency has been really good," said Sutter.

"You see the growth of the team. The battle level has been high and the team is well conditioned. The coaches are also making sure the team plays the right way, and that's a credit to them.

"That's the team that we envisioned. It's the make-up of the group and the coaches are holding them accountable. It also helps when you have experienced coaches. Steve is very experienced and Ryan and Lodgy have experience.

"Egs has played in this league and has played pro hockey. He's been great working with the defencemen. They put in long days to make it work, which is what coaching is."

So far, so good.

"Overall, from a management perspective, we've been pretty happy with the progression," said Sutter. "Not every night is going to be perfect, you're not going to play outstanding for 60 minutes, that just doesn't happen."

The Rebels have indeed experienced games in which they've lost the momentum they worked hard to gain. But almost always, it's been a temporary loss.

"The flow of the game and controlling momentum . . . in the games we lose it we get it back quickly and that's a credit to everyone downstairs," said Sutter.

Of course . . .

"There's always room for improvement," he added. "We have to continue to get better. There are some really good teams in the league and we have to continue to push."

The Rebels return to action Friday when they host the Calgary Hitmen. The Prince Albert Raiders visit the Centrium the following evening.

Rebels haven't given up on Formanek; Leslie won't be returning

Frantisek Formanek, whom the Rebels selected 14th overall in this year's CHL import draft, has yet to show up, but Sutter said he hasn't written off the 17-year-old Czech forward.

"We're still hoping he'll be here. Until we're told otherwise that there's no chance, then we have to believe there's a chance," said the Rebels boss.

"We've left it with his agent who's dealing with whatever has to be dealt with over there."

One stumbling block may be the fact Formanek is playing junior hockey with HC Dynamo Pardubice in his home country - and has appeared in two games with the parent pro team - and likely has a contract with the association.

Regardless . . .

"We're not shutting the door on it at all," said Sutter. "He's a good player and he fits into a good age group at 17. We'll wait and see what happens."

On the other hand, Sutter expects that former Rebels defenceman Chase Leslie has played his last game of junior hockey.

The 19-year-old played three seasons in Red Deer, but suited up for just 10 games last winter due to concussion problems. To make matters worse, he has a history of head injuries.

"He came in and met with us in September, him and his dad," said Sutter. "At the end of the day it was just confirmation from us that it wouldn't be wise for him to play.

"He has to think of his life moving forward. I know I would never put him at risk by bringing him back to play. I wouldn't do that to any player. You have to think of the person first and foremost.

"I think his career, as far as playing at a high level, is probably over."

Check out the Red Deer Rebels Statistics

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



Western Hockey League Stories from November 16, 2021


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