Peers brings steady defensive game to Rebels camp
By DANNY RODE
Kohen Peers knows exactly the type of game he needs to play to have success.
“I like to kill penalties, block a lot of shots … defensive minded first and then offence when I can,” he said following a rookie scrimmage at the Red Deer Rebels Training Camp.
“I always felt that was my style.”
It’s a style the Lacombe native hopes will one day give him an opportunity to play for the Rebels.
“That’s what I’m hoping. I watched a lot of their games and they have a great organization.”
Peers, who’s played defence since peewee, wasn’t drafted, but invited to camp after a strong season with the Red Deer Rebels U15AAA team.
“It’s a real honor to be selected to this great camp, great program,” he added.
Kohen played his first season of U15 with the Central Alberta Selects AA squad.
“I didn’t try out for AAA that year, but after (Rebels) coach Justin (Jarmolicz) listed me, I thought I’d give it a try.”
It worked out perfectly as he put together a strong season and received the team’s Unsung Hero Award.
“It was for my dedication on the ice and off the ice,” he explained. “I blocked a lot of shots, which I love to do. When we’re down a goal you make a block and it gets the players going, the bench going.”
Peers looks back at last season and gives the U15 Rebels coaching staff a lot of credit for his development.
“Coach Justin is a great coach, I improved so much. All the coaches helped me so much.”
At almost six-foot-two and 185-pounds, Peers has the size to take his game to the next level. He will look to make the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs U18 AAA squad this coming season.
“I still need to add strength,” he said. “Work on my speed and strength.”
Peers, who is one of 13 15-year-old defencemen at the Rebels rookie camp, feels he fits in.
“I think I fit in. I try to play defence and move the puck up to the wingers to make plays.”
Rebels head coach Dave Struch has liked what he saw.
“He’s been very reliable and steady through the three (rookie) games.”
Peers got his first skates when he was two while living in Acadia Valley near Medicine Hat.
“We had the key to the arena so we could go anytime.”
He moved to Lacombe when he was “eight or nine” and joined the local minor hockey association.
It was second-year U13 when the coach moved him to defence.
“I always played forward, but I got a little bigger so he decided to switch me back and I’ve been there ever since.”
His older brother also played but a knee injury ended his career in bantam.
Kohen played baseball before dedicating his time to hockey.
‘I do play badminton in school and my partner and I went to the CWASAA.”
Now in the summer, besides working out he golfs and fishes.
“Other than that I focus on sprinting and lifting weights,” he concluded.
Rebels camp runs through Monday with a main scrimmage set for 4 p.m.
The annual Black and White Game goes Tuesday at 7 p.m. with entry a donation to the Red Deer Food Bank.
