Calhoon relishing opportunity with Rebels
By DANNY RODE
A month ago, Brett Calhoon found himself sitting at home wondering where his hockey career would take him.
He had been released by the Kelowna Rockets and had no sure idea if he’d be back in the Western Hockey League.
“It was pretty crazy,” he said. “I was sitting at home for a couple of days not knowing where I’d be going. I had a few phone calls with my agent wondering what the next step would be. I heard Red Deer was interested and I was happy with that.”
He was even happier when the Rebels signed him.
“It was definitely a whirlwind but I’m happy to be here.”
Calhoon knew a thing or two about the Rebels having played with the Medicine Hat Tigers for parts of two seasons. He also knew Rebels assistant coach Mike Egener.
“He coached me when I was younger at the OHA (Okanagan Hockey Academy),” said the 20-year-old native of Kamloops. “I knew he was here, and I always wanted to play with him again.
“That’s the first thing I knew. I also knew Red Deer was a tough place to play. I knew their identity was being physical and hard on the puck and that’s something that suits my game, so I was excited about being part of that culture.”
Having played 37 games over two seasons with the Tigers, Calhoon had seen that culture firsthand.
“With the Tigers we had a skilled team, I would say, and we always had trouble with the Rebels, just because of their identity and how physical they were. That was always something I wanted to be part of.”
Calhoon sees himself as a two-way player, who looks to be strong in the defensive zone first. But he made an instant impression with the team on the offensive side, scoring three times and adding three assists in his first nine games.
“It’s been good. I like doing everything for the team that I can, and success has come a little bit so far. I hope I can do more and hope to start getting some wins.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a goal scorer. I take pride in my play in the defensive zone, but I try to contribute offensively as well.”
Calhoon, who turned 20 on Jan. 10, looks at himself as a leader when needed.
“I try to be. I’m an older player in the league now so when the younger guys need anything I try to lead to the best of my abilities. The guys can come to me and ask that’s just what I’m trying to do now.”
Rebels head coach Dave Struch sees that side of his game.
“You see the voice in the room, the communication, he’s always talking, and you see his work ethic in practice and in games. He’s an energetic guy and while he still has things he can improve on. He’s trying to get better.”
Calhoon knew he had to fit in and a lot of that came during a road trip through Saskatchewan immediately after he arrived.
“The road trip allowed me to get close to the guys. I’m not a fan of the cold, that’s for sure, but it’s easier to get to know everyone when you’re together like that.”
Being with a group of new players who were added at the trade deadline also made it easier.”
“When you come into a new team you’re shy at first and it takes a little while to get going. But we were all in the same boat, so it made it easier for sure being with a group of guys going through the same things. Now we’re all good … all close.”
Calhoon looks to be another solid asset for the team and Struch believes he can continue to get better.
“We talk about managing the puck, finishing checks,” he said. “Those are things. Also look at a guy like Jhett Larson. If he plays consistently like Jhett does, he’ll become even a bigger asset for us.
“You can see there’s that type of player … that type of character with an identity for sure. You can see what type of player what type of person he is, and he’ll fit nicely into our room.”
Calhoon could well fill one of the three overage spots with the team next season, then he has to make another decision about his future.
“To be honest I haven’t really thought about it,” he said. “I just take it one year at a time. I do want to play the highest level possible and see where my career takes me.”
That may be the NCAA.
“It would be appealing. I would be cool to play in the States.”
ICE CHIPS – The Rebels play Friday at 7 p.m. at the Peavey Mart Centrium against the Moose Jaw Warriors to kick off a run of 11 of 12 games at home … The Rebels are coming off a pair of 3-0 road wins at Regina and Moose Jaw … The Rebels on the latest WHL Weekly Report have listed defenceman Jake Missura (upper, day-to-day), Jace Weir (upper, week-to-week), and forward Jaxon Fuder (upper, week-to-week) … Newcomer Ty Coupland leads the team with 11 goals and 27 points while Luke Vlooswyk leads in plus-minus with a plus seven … the Rebels host the Lethbridge Hurricanes Saturday at 7 p.m. for Country and Western Night, presented by Vallen Canada.
