Return of Musil gets Rebels closer to full lineup

The Red Deer Rebels are two players removed from a full roster.
With Monday’s return of forwards Brandon Hagel (Buffalo) and Jeff de Wit (Detroit) from NHL training camps and Wednesday’s anticipated arrival of centre Adam Musil from the St. Louis Blues, the Rebels are minus the services of forward Michael Spacek and defenceman Josh Mahura.
Both played in NHL preseason games Tuesday, Mahura suiting up for the home-ice Anaheim Ducks in a meeting with the Arizona Coyotes and Spacek dressing for the Winnipeg Jets against the visiting Calgary Flames.
Musil, a fourth-round pick of St. Louis in the 2015 NHL entry draft, got into one preseason game with the Blues, playing with a split squad in a 5-0 win Sunday over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
He was held pointless in the contest, but managed three shots on goal in 11:45 of playing time. He was 40 per cent in the face-off circle and was assessed one minor penalty.
Once Spacek and Mahura are back in Red Deer, the Rebels’ roster will feature 26 players, including three goaltenders.
Ideally, the club would like to carry 24 players — 14 forwards, eight defencemen and two goalies — through the 2016-17 season.
“Whether that’s feasible remains to be seen,” general manager/head coach Brent Sutter said Tuesday. “I know I don’t want to have a 16-year-old as the 14th forward.”
Therefore, forward Austin Schellenberg may be one player set for reassignment at some point.
“When we get everyone back we’ll make a decision with Austin,” said Sutter.
The Rebels depart Thursday and open a three-game road trip Friday versus the Moose Jaw Warriors. Red Deer will take on the Wheat Kings Saturday at Brandon and will conclude the East Division jaunt against the Regina Pats Sunday.
Red Deer’s next home game is Oct. 5 versus the Kamloops Blazers.