Habscheid confident Rebels are on right track
By DANNY RODE – Red Deer Rebels head coach Marc Habscheid takes a lot of pride in what he saw from his young team this season and into the playoffs.
“The guys gave us everything they had and that’s all you can ask against a good team,” he said during a year-end media scrum.
The Rebels, who are the youngest team in the league with three 20-year-olds and no 19-year-olds, lost the best-of-seven series to the top-seeded Prince Albert Raiders, losing the fifth game in overtime.
“Outside of two periods (in the entire series) we were right there with them. The guys worked their tails off to prepare both mentally and physically. It was a real together group and did what we asked of them.
“We’re young and experience is the always the greatest teacher. We learned a lot in this playoff series and we hung in there. If we get a bounce (in that final overtime) and we’re back here (for Game 6).”
Habscheid and the Rebels held their exit meetings Saturday.
“This is a tight group. We held our exit meetings, and they all said how tight there were and that’s what you need to be a successful team.”
Habscheid saw a lot over his initial season with the Rebels, taking over a rebuilding team last September that went through a myriad of midseason changes with veterans traded away and talented youngsters brought in.
“There was a big change at the deadline with 12 different guys coming in, but it was fun. At the time it was like a meet and greet in the dressing room. But the guys did a good job, especially the leadership group of getting the guys together, getting them on the same page.
“Then just after we were out to B.C. There was a lot going on in a short period of time and it evolved into a close-knit group. We worked to get them better and to grow as a group. We made it into the playoffs and made some noise, although we would have liked to make some more.”
Habscheid liked what he saw from a team that had 11 17-year-olds, seven 18-year-olds and a 16-year-old on the roster.
“They’re young but their attitude is the biggest thing for me and these guys, individually and collectively, have that. They all pulled in the same direction. They care about one another. There were a lot of tears in that room today because they are leaving and that’s what’s important. You’d be worrying if there wasn’t, but there was as they care about one another. It’s a good group, a talented group.”
Habscheid has worked with a number of young teams over his coaching career and can tell when he has a team that will continue to evolve.
“They kept stepping forward and we’re on the cusp of something good here.”
And Habscheid wants to be part of it.
“Absolutely. It’s a great place to be and I like working with the youth. They’re impressionable and a lot of fun. Personally, I see the three overages leave and it’s tough as you get close to them as a coach.
“They are special but that’s a way of life in junior. Three move on and the young guys move up and take on different roles and responsibilities and that’s the fun part of coaching this age group.”
