It was announced by team owner/General Manager/Head Coach Brent Sutter that the team has brought in two brand new assistant coaches for the 2018-19 hockey season.
The Corpus Christi Ice Rays former head coach Brad Flynn will join the Rebels coaching staff after two seasons with the Ice Rays as their Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. With the Ice Rays, Flynn’s squads were 59-42-9-10 in the regular season and an 8-5 record in the playoffs. Prior to that he was an assistant coach with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL. Corpus Christi is a junior hockey league team in the NAHL.
Flynn is also a former hockey player, most notably spending three seasons with Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario from 2008-11.
“I’m extremely excited to become a part of the Red Deer Rebels organization. Growing up on the East Coast the Rebels and City of Red Deer’s reputation is second to none. Getting the opportunity to work for Mr. Sutter is a special opportunity and I am very fortunate to do so. As proud as I am to join the organization, my young family is just as excited to join a great community like Red Deer. I would like to thank the Corpus Christi IceRays organization, Mr. Lange and Cass Lange along with a quality staff and a great group of players made this opportunity possible. They believed in me enough to give me my first head coaching job, the players trusted our plan and we laid a good foundation for success.” – Flynn told Greg Meachem of reddeerrebels.com
The team also added Ryan Colville from the Cincinnati Thunder of the NA3HL junior hockey league. Colville spent the last three seasons with the Cincinnati franchise as their GM, GM/Head Coach and Head Coach. During the last two seasons of the franchise the team compiled a record of 31-53-6. The franchise has since ceased operations.
“I’m extremely excited to join the Red Deer Rebels family. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Brent to help the team and the players succeed. I have heard nothing but great things about the Red Deer community and their passion for the Rebels. I can’t wait to get started.” – Colville told Meachem on the Red Deer Rebels website.
These moves were made following the April 5th departure of associate coach Jeff Triutt. Truitt departed the Rebels after six seasons with the team as associate coach.
Following the hiring of both coaches, Brent Sutter had this to say on the Red Deer Rebels team website. “Since the season ended, and our two assistant coaching positions became available, we had a lot of top candidates apply for the positions. Through the process of researching our candidates, and interviewing some, we have been very fortunate to have it come to Brad and Ryan as the two people that fit all the needs we are looking for in these coaching positions. Although young, both have a wealth of experience and will be great additions to the staff. Their loyalty, work ethic, enthusiasm, communication skills, and creativity on how the game is played today will be very beneficial to the players and our staff.”
