Longtime teammates Brigley, Larson join 250 Club
Playing your 250th game in the Western Hockey League is a special milestone, even more so when two longtime teammates do it on the same night.
Both Jhett Larson and Talon Brigley took to the ice for their 250th regular season contest last Friday when the Rebels hosted the Saskatoon Blades, becoming the 30th and 31st players in team history to do so.
“It’s crazy to think about how many games we’ve played and how fast they’ve just gone by, and just all the guys and the players and coaches I’ve had here,” Larson said prior to the game.
“It’s just been a great time, and it’s definitely cool to be doing it with Brigs. You know, I’ve been here as long as he’s been here, and it’s been a great experience.”
For Brigley, the feeling toward longtime teammate Larson is certainly mutual.
“I mean, I love Jhett. Obviously, we’ve spent a lot of time together the last four years. It’s gone by so fast, and to be able to do it with the Rebels organization, play all 250, it’s pretty special that way as well.”
Larson was selected by the Rebels in round eight, 163rd overall in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft. His rookie season with the club could not have been more unique as it came during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season that saw the Rebels living right in the Centrium.
“I think I’ve done a lot of growing up since then,” said the 21-year-old from Delisle, SK.
“The bubble was a cool experience, and I didn’t really know what the rest of years we’re going to be like after that, but it’s been great here. The city’s been great. Fans have been great. Everything’s been great. It’s just a fun place to play hockey.”
Brigley, who was raised in Sylvan Lake and played his AAA hockey in Red Deer, was a second-round pick by the Rebels, 24th overall at the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. He and defenceman Luke Vlooswyk are the only Rebels to play in each of the club’s 56 games this season.
“Just growing up in central Alberta and having the Rebels here and going to games all the time, and I mean, it’s still hard to take in sometimes. It’s always been special.”
Meantime, Rebels defenceman Jace Weir continues to climb the Rebels all-time games played chart as well.
The 20-year-old from Coldstream, BC returned from a 10-game absence Friday for his 267th regular season game, tied with former Rebels captain Adam Kambeitz fore 11th in team history. With 12 games left in the regular season, Weir can climb as high as 7th on the list and second all-time amongst Rebels defenceman (Kayle Doetzel leads with 292 regular season games played).
Rebels defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk, who came to the club in a January 9 trade, played his 250th career game Jan. 17 at Saskatoon.
