Intense training camp ends with feisty Black and White Game
By DANNY RODE
Red Deer Rebels head coach Dave Struch had a definite plan heading into his first training camp with the team.
He wanted to push the players, put them through the paces no matter if they were young guys looking to make a first impression, or veterans preparing to head to NHL camps.
“It was very tough, Struch put us through the paces,” said veteran centre Ollie Josephson. “I thought everyone did well from the fitness testing to the scrimmages and finishing with the Black and White game.”
The annual Black and White Game proved to be an entertaining, hard-hitting affair Tuesday at the Peavey Mart Centrium with Team Black pulling out a 2-1 victory.
“I thought everyone did good, from the young guys to the older guys. It was a good week,” added Josephson.
Struch agreed.
“It was a hard camp for sure, but I feel good about the way the players responded to it.
“The way we practiced it was for sure some of the hardest stuff these guys have done, especially this early in the year.
“I hope the way we did it pays off for us.”
Struch analyzed the Black and White Game from the press box, getting a good view of all the players.
“The game tonight was a good showing,” he said. “The young guys played really good hockey. They weren’t shying away, competed hard and stayed engaged.
“As for the older guys I hope they got rid of some of their turnovers before heading to NHL camps,” he said with a smile.
While the veterans such as Josephson stood out, it was several of the younger players who stole much of the limelight.
Defenceman Reece Gault, a 17-year-old from Oakbank, Manitoba, scored both goals for the Black squad. The first tied the game at 13:19 of the first period when he picked the top corner from in close on Chase Wutzke. The second, beat Wutzke at 9:43 of the second period on a screened shot from the point.
Seventeen-year-old Cohen Poulin of Mission, B.C., opened the scoring for Team White at 5:22 of the first period when he grabbed a rebound and calmly pulled the puck around Rhett Stoesser.
“The young guys (impressed) for sure, even more than just with their hands,” said Struch. “Their ability to skate, but the biggest part was their compete at a young age.”
Josephson felt a number of the younger players improved considerably since last year’s camp.
“They put in the work this summer, definitely trying to make the team. They have something to work for and the hard work paid off.
“No one looked out of place, everyone was doing their job. I was impressed with all the young guys.”
Josephson admitted the game was a big chippy, but something to his liking.
“Guys were going at it, especially being teammates, but that’s good. You need that competitive spirit on your team. It will only help us this season.”
It’s the competitiveness that Struch believes is an asset many people overlook.
“It’s a skill not many people see. I think compete is a high-level skill.”
An area that impressed all watching Tuesday’ was netminding. Both veterans Wutzke and Stoesser looked in mid-season form while neither Peyton Shore for Team White, nor Taylor Tabashniuk allowed a goal. Wutzke made 22 saves and Stoesser 17 while Shore, a 16-year-old from Winnipeg, made 15 and Tabashniuk, a 17-year-old from Regina, turned aside 10.
There was also a five-man shootout for fun after the game, won once again by Team Black on goals by Finnish import Kasper Pikkarainen and Gault. Graeme Pickering, a 15-year-old from St-Andolphe, Manitoba and the team’s first-round pick at this year’s WHL Prospects Draft, scored for White.
The Rebels will lose six players to NHL camps leaving between Sept. 8-11.
Josephson leaves Sept. 10 to his first camp with the Seattle Kraken, who took him in round four of this year’s NHL Draft.
The 18-year-old spent the summer getting himself in the best shape he could be.
“I worked on getting bigger, worked on my cardio,” he said. “Coming here also helped the cardio, having to work so hard.”
All he’s looking to do is impress the Kraken coaching staff.
“It’s my first camp. I want to get my feet wet and see what it’s all about. I’ll work hard to impress them and hope to get in some games and see how it goes.”
He’s also looking forward to returning to Red Deer for a season under Struch.
“Dave is awesome … I’m a really big fan of his. He means well … he pushes us to get the best out of us every day, which I love. He makes us better every day. He’s a great coach and I’m looking forward to the season.”
The Rebels open their four-game exhibition season Friday in Calgary against the Hitmen. They host the Lethbridge Hurricanes Saturday at 7 p.m.
None of the veterans attending NHL camps will see preseason action.
Struch indicated he’ll keep around 14-15 forwards, 7-8 defencemen and likely three goalies for the preseason with Wutzke heading to Minnesota Wild camp.
Other exhibition games are Sept. 13 at home against Medicine Hat and the 14th in Edmonton.
The Rebels play their Red Deer Advocate Home Opener on Saturday, Sept. 21 versus Lethbridge starting at 7 p.m. Tickets for that game and all Rebels home games this season, along with season tickets, are on sale now.
