(photo by Dave Brunner Photography)
The Red Deer Rebels have been in existence for 25 Western Hockey League seasons. In that time they have won a Memorial Cup, as well as hosted the tournament. Just five times in their history have they failed to make the playoffs.
This year a very special streak was kept alive. The Rebels have had a player drafted in the NHL entry draft in every single year they have been a franchise. This is the longest current streak in the WHL. This year it was newcomer Lane Zablocki hearing his name called in the 3rd round, 79th overall by the Detroit Red Wings. Lane was brought over in a trade with the Regina Pats that saw Josh Mahura and Jeff de Witt (and a 3rd round pick in 2019) head to Regina. Red Deer also received Dawson Barteaux, an optional 1st round pick (2017 or 2018), a conditional 3rd round pick in 2020 along with Zablocki.
The NHL Combine listed Zablocki at 5’11” 179 lbs. and it is all fire power. In the 39 games he played for the Rebels, he added 19 goals and 10 assists to his season totals. During the Rebels playoff run he had six goals and two assists in just six games. He did serve time for a suspension in the playoffs after a check from behind in the series against Lethbridge.
https://twitter.com/LZablocki12/status/878741630399860738
Zablocki was the only Red Deer Rebel roster player taken in this year’s NHL entry draft. Other players who had hoped to hear their name called included Austin Pratt and Carson Sass.
A Rebels WHL Bantam Draft pick was also drafted this year, Grant Mismash was taken 61st overall by the Nashville Predators. He is a former teammate of Austin Pratt, they played for the Shattuck St. Mary’s Bantam T1 team in 2013-14. In the 2014 WHL draft Red Deer took him with their 5th round selection, 97th overall.
Other news and notes for the Red Deer Rebels
-The Rebels will open their 2017-18 season on Saturday September 22nd at home to the Edmonton Oil Kings. They will then travel to Edmonton for the Oil Kings home opener the following night. They have a six game home stand from October 14th to October 28th and a seven game home stand from January 12th to January 28th. They will hit the road for the annual Agri-trade on November 3rd. They return after seven games on November 21st.
-Adam Musil will be attending St. Louis Blues development camp which begins tomorrow and runs through July 1st. He is eligible to play in the AHL this season.
-Michael Spacek is attending Winnipeg Jets development camp which continues this week. He is eligible to play in the AHL this season and is expected to do so as he is signed to a contract.
-Branson Hagel will be attending Buffalo Sabres development camp beginning on July 8th. He is not eligible to play in the AHL this season.
-The Rebels will draft at #27 and #87 in the CHL import draft. It is expected that they will only draft one player as Alexander Alexeyev is the only import player remaining.
