Andersen glad to help fuel early Rebels success
By DANNY RODE – Red Deer Rebels star winger Poul Andersen wasn’t about to let his buddy Beckett Hamilton get away with anything.
A week after Hamilton was named the WHL Player of the Week, Andersen stepped in to claim the award.
Andersen put together an outstanding three-game road trip, accumulating eight points on six goals and two assists. Four of those goals came in a 5-2 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. He also picked up a helper to make it a perfect evening.
Andersen had a smile when asked about taking the honour a week after his linemate.
“I had a feeling that would happen,” he said.
Rebels head coach Brent Kisio was more than pleased to help the pair celebrate.
“Those celebrations are hard to get in this league,” he said. “It doesn’t happen enough and even one of them to receive the award is great. Poul received recognition for how hard he played. He led us to a couple of wins there as did Hamilton the week before.
“It’s great to see the two playing together. They elevate their games and have done a great job leading us.”
The two have shown a chemistry since Hamilton has returned from the Colorado Avalanche camp.
Andersen has 12 of his league-leading 14 points in the five games while Hamilton has accumulated 11. They sit one-two atop the scoring race with Andersen first in goals with seven and Hamilton tied for second with five.
“I played with him towards the end of last season and he’s a great player, makes my job easier,” explained Andersen, who has a point in all seven of the Rebels games this season.
“I think a lot of things are working well,” he added. “We’re playing fast (as a team) and playing offensively and obviously my linemates are doing a good job of putting the puck in the net and so am I so it’s all working together.”
One of those linemates last game against the Warriors was rookie Paxson Madill, who was named the game’s second star behind Andersen and just ahead of Hamilton. He picked up three assists, the same as Hamilton.
“Our lines have bounced around a bit, but it seemed like that Moose Jaw game it just worked quite well,” Andersen said. “We played with speed and complimented everyone.”
Kisio put the line together early in the game moving Madill up.
“We’re always looking for a couple of guys to pair up and those two (Andersen and Hamilton) are exciting together. Part way through we moved Madill up to and they did a great job of complimenting each other. We’re always looking for a good combination.”
Andersen and Madill have a little more chemistry than on the ice as both are from Minnesota.
Andersen is three years Madill’s elder, so he does try to help him adjust any way he can.
“I try, but he’s a great kid, a special player. It’s great for a 2010 (16-year-old) to be putting up three assists.”
Andersen also likes the way the team has been coming together of late.
“Obviously we’re not in post-season form by any means and still have a lot of work to do. We’ve taken big steps but there’s still a lot of room for things to be done. Still it’s a good start.”
He feels that with the number of players back from last year, including himself, it has allowed the team to come together quickly this year.
“Absolutely,” he stressed. “We returned almost everyone, and added a couple of key players, and that helped us hit the ground running with the chemistry we built up last year.”
He also likes the way Kisio has fit in.
“I like the way he wants us to play, it’s fast and with offence. It’s music to my ears.”
Andersen is committed to the University of Maine next season, but he indicated nothing is “set in stone.”
“That’s the plan so far.”
However, if the season continues the way it’s started he will be on the radar for more than one NHL team.
“That’s what you want,” he said, adding he was disappointed he wasn’t selected in either of the past two NHL Drafts.
“It motivates you when you see your name skipped over for two years, it definitely puts a fire under your ass.”
The Rebels are set for an extended home stand, playing the next three at the Marchant Crane Centrium and seven of the next eight. They host the Calgary Hitmen Friday at 7 p.m. and the Edmonton Oil Kings on the holiday Monday at 2 p.m.
They are presently first in the Eastern Conference with nine points on a 4-2-0-1 record and having won four of their last five games.
A lot of that has come from the fact they’re scoring more.
“Early on we had the opportunities but weren’t converting, not bearing down,” said Kisio. “The last couple of games we’ve adjust and you can see that. We’re also obviously bearing down on our chances.”
