Four Rebels prospects invited to Canada’s national under-17 development camp
Four Red Deer Rebels prospects have been invited to Canada’s national under-17 development camp.
Defenceman Nolan Wolitski and Owen Archer, forward Chace Turchak and goaltender Chase Nielson are among 80 players from across the country who will take part in the camp, July 17-21 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario. Following camp, players will continue to be evaluated through the beginning of the 2026-27 season before the Canada Red and Canada White rosters are named ahead of the 2026 U17 World Challenge, scheduled for Nov. 1-7 in Oakville.
Nolan Wolitski – Defence – Round 1, Pick 7 (signed)
The big six-foot-three, 180-pound St. Albert, AB resident posted 15 points in 27 games for Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep (CSSHL). He added one point in seven playoff games and played for Team Alberta at the 2025 WHL Cup at the Marchant Crane Centrium. A dual Canada/USA citizen who grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wolitski joined the Rebels as an Affiliate Player for the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
Chace Turchak – Forward – Round 2, Pick 30 (signed)
The 5’11, 180-pound forward had a great season for his hometown Calgary Buffaloes U18 AAA (AEHL) in posting 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 36 games. He followed that up with six points in four playoff tilts. Turchak also played for Alberta at the WHL Cup (1 goal, 1 assist in 5 games). He appeared in four regular season games with the Rebels and was on the club’s playoff roster as an AP.
Owen Archer – Defence – Round 2, Pick 32 (signed)
Unfortunately, Archer has his 2025-26 season cut short due to injury. He played just seven games for the St. Albert Raiders U18 AAA (AEHL), picking up four points, then played for Alberta at the WHL Cup before missing the rest of the year. The six-foot-one, 200-pound blue liner brings an imposing presence after racking up 68 penalty minutes in just 19 games in his U15 AAA season in 2024-25.
Chase Nielson – Goaltender – Round 3, Pick 56
It was an outstanding season for the six-foot-one netminder from Fort McLeod, AB. Nielson posted a 12-5-1 record, 3.13 GAA and .913 save percentage for Southern Alberta Hockey Academy (SAHA) U17 Prep (CSSHL). He also appeared in two games for SAHA U18 Prep going 1-0-0 with a 1.31 GAA and .944 save percentage. In three games for Alberta at the WHL Cup he went 2-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .918 save percentage. Neilson was named the CSSHL U17 Prep Top Goaltender and to the First All-Star Team.
