Mikes making his mark after first month with Rebels
By DANNY RODE – Matej Mikes is beginning to fit in with the Red Deer Rebels.
The native of Karlovy Vary, Czechia, missed the start of the season with a knee injury, playing only the last eight games after debuting Nov. 11 in Brandon.
He has since notched a pair of goals to go with one assist and doesn’t look out of place.
“Everything has been great,” said the six-foot-three, 213-pound forward. “I had a couple of good games and I’m looking forward to getting to know more and get more (adjusted).”
The biggest adjustment for the 18-year-old, who was the Rebels’ first-round selection, 19th overall, in the 2025 CHL Import Draft was getting used to the smaller ice surface.
“That was a big difference between here and Europe,” he said.
Rebels assistant coach Mike Egener indicated the coaching staff understood it would take some time for him to become comfortable.
“It was a little tough for him as he missed a lot of time with this injury, plus he’s European coming over and learning the game.
“A lot of our guys have played for a couple of months, so he had to get his pace back up from his injury, get back to playing shape and learning how to play this game as it happens a lot faster over here compared to over there with the big ice surface.”
One thing Mikes hasn’t had any problems with is his knee.
“It’s been perfect,” he said.
The biggest problem with the injury was being forced to sit at home while recovering.
“That was frustrating. When I heard the first day, I was coming here it was hard in that I had to stay at home, but now everything is good.”
Matej speaks good English after spending the last three years playing hockey in Finland. He played with the RoKi U16 team in 2022-23, finishing with 22 goals and 19 assists in 35 games.
He says playing in Finland made the move to Red Deer a lot easier.
“It’s different, but not new for me as I’ve been away from home for four years. This is also a dream of mine to move overseas so when the opportunity came, I took it.”
He indicated he knew a little bit about the Rebels before he arrived.
“I’ve been watching the WHL so that made it easier, I knew a little bit but nothing special,” he said.
Although he did see the style of play it was new to him.
“Finland was completely different, the ice, the boys, the team and coaches,” he said. “Here for sure the game is a lot faster with more systems, more structure but Finland gave me something, which I’m happy for.”
Mikes sees himself as a power forward who “likes to hit players.”
“I really wasn’t that kind of player before I moved to Finland,” he explained. “I was more of a goal scorer, a play maker, but after I realized I was a power forward it suits me more.”
Still, he believes he can add to the offensive aspect of the game as well.
“I hope to get more points, but points is a side thing for me.”
But the Rebels coaching staff likes the fact he’s a physical force.
“He’s a big body, very strong,” said Egener. “He understands that’s the way he has to play to be effective. He has to be strong on the puck, finish his checks, go to the front of the net, but also be strong along the boards, get pucks in and out and use his skill set.
“He’s got a good shot and recently he’s been rewarded, which is good for his confidence. Clayton (assistant coach Jardine) and Habby (head coach Marc Habscheid) have done a great job working with him, trying to make him understand that and showing him video on certain things he needs to work on and what he’s doing well.”
He played 17 games for the Czechia U18 team last year and will be going home at Christmas.
He wasn’t drafted last year despite being ranked 71st amongst European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. However, he still would like to end up in the NHL.
“For every kid, that’s their main goal,” he said.
Egener says Mikes and Slovakian defenceman Matus Lisy, who was selected in the second round of the ‘25 CHL Import Draft, will be important pieces for the Rebels going forward.
“They’re good players,” ne noted. “Brent (Sutter) says they take a little time to be comfortable, so be patient and keep working on it.”
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Rebels forward Samuel Drancak leave Thursday to for Team Czechia’s selection camp ahead of this World Juniors tournament in Minnesota … Lisy leaves Sunday to join Team Slovakia for their camp … Athletic Therapist Terence Robertson is enroute as part of Team Canada’s staff for the tournament … Rob Manca, a local athletic therapist who works with the Sylvan Lake Gulls of the WCBL, is filling in for Robertson during his absence … It was another outstanding edition of the Toque and Teddy Bear Toss last Saturday at the Marchant Crane Centrium with Rebels fans donating 1830 stuffies, 1548 toques and mitts, 323 pairs of socks, and $2370 cash in support of the Red Deer Christmas Bureau.
