Latimer brings Rebels experience, talent, winning pedigree
Leaving the Wenatchee Wild — formerly the Winnipeg Ice — wasn’t a big letdown for Carson Latimer.
The 20-year-old right winger, in fact, was delighted when he learned his new home would be Red Deer.
“I was excited. I kind of thought it was coming. When I found out it was Red Deer it was pretty cool,” Latimer said Friday, looking back at the late July trade that landed him with the Rebels.
“I’ve played a lot against this team and played a lot of games in this rink. I know the culture here and how hard they work and I feel I fit right in.”
Rebels GM Brent Sutter acquired Latimer for his experience, talent and winning background. The White Rock, BC native played parts of three seasons with the powerhouse Edmonton Oil Kings and was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL entry draft after recording five goals and 16 points in 22 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 WHL season.
He was dealt to the Prince Albert Raiders in December of 2021 in a trade that involved current Montreal Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle.
With a more prominent role, Latimer showed his chops with the Raiders and had a strong start to the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 10 goals and collecting 28 points in 31 games with Prince Albert before being dealt to Winnipeg.
He potted four goals and added eight assists in 22 regular-season contests with the Ice and put up six points (4g,2a) in 14 playoff games as Winnipeg advanced to the league final against the eventual champion Seattle Thunderbirds.
He arrived in Red Deer a week ago and began meeting his new teammates when the Rebels camp opened Thursday with fitness testing. His first on-ice session was Friday at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
“It’s been good, obviously a new place and it’s exciting to be here,” he said. “I’ve been able to meet some great guys and I’m happy to be here.”
More than anything, Latimer hopes his savvy and winning pedigree will be of great help to his new team.
“My experience, just being around especially last year and having the experience of making a push to win,” he said. “I’ll try and bring that here, along with speed and intensity.
“I’ll try and be a leader to the young guys who are here and try and set an example. I think that’s exciting too.”
Latimer was in camp with the Senators each of the last two years and will leave for the Minnesota Wild rookie camp on Sept. 12 after attending the team’s development camp in July as a free agent.
As a seasoned NHL camp participant, he won’t be caught off guard in Minnesota.
“Pro hockey is a lot different, it’s fast and takes some time getting used to,” said Latimer. “Having a few years now of that experience I know more what to expect.
“I’m just looking forward to it. It’s fun and it’s important to test yourself against those players.”
There’s an outside chance Latimer won’t return to the Rebels, if in fact he earns at least a two-way deal with the Wild.
However . . .
“If I’m back here I’ll look forward to it,” he said. “I think we’ll have a great team and a great chance to make a run for it. That’s the goal every year and hopefully I can be a part of that.”
Rebels camp resumed Saturday and will run through Monday with the Black and White intrasquad game set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Centrium.
