Rebels alumni Johnson, King win Calder Cup with Toronto Marlies
Two more Red Deer Rebels alumni are now Calder Cup champions.
Reese Johnson and Ben King are members of the Toronto Marlies who claimed the American Hockey League after downing the Chicago Wolves in the league’s championship final.
Johnson, who hails from Saskatoon, SK appeared in 15 playoff games for the Marlies after playing in 47 regular season contests, recording 15 points.
The 27-year-old forward played for the Rebels from 2014-19 and recorded 100 points (55 goals, 45 assists) in 187 career games. He added eight points in 15 playoff tilts. Johnson was the club’s captain during his final season in 2018-19, scoring 27 goals and 53 points.
Johnson signed an entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in March 2019 and shortly after made his professional debut with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Johnson made his NHL debut in the 2020-21 season when he played five games with the Blackhawks. He remained with the Blackhawks organization through 2024, suiting up for 141 NHL games and recording 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists). In 2024-25 Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Wild and spent most of the season playing for their AHL affiliate in Iowa before being traded to the Marlies.
King, who is 24, had four points in 20 games this season with the Marlies after joining the club midseason. He played for the Rebels from 2019-2023 and racked up 206 points (97 goals, 109 assists) in 165 games. He added 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 20 playoff games. King ranks sixth in goals and ninth in points in team history and is one of just six Rebels players to score 50 or more goals in a season. The Vernon, BC native was as finalist for WHL Player of the Year in 2021-22 after leading the league with 52 goals.
King has played 145 career AHL games with San Diego, Manitoba, and Toronto, compiling 60 points. He was selected by Anaheim at the 2022 NHL Draft.
As well, former Rebels athletic therapist Jordan Aube works for the Marlies.
Former Rebels scoring leader Arshdeep Bains won the Calder Cup last year with the Abbotsford Canucks.
