Schmidt working to make most of call-up opportunity
By DANNY RODE
Nolan Schmidt isn’t one to worry about what could have been.
Despite being a 10th round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, the 16-year-old Edmonton native simply put his head down and worked his way into an opportunity to grab a spot on the Red Deer Rebels roster.
“That whole year was a tough one for me,” offered Schmidt when asked about his draft season. “I had a lot of injuries, broke my collarbone, and missed about half the year.”
Schmidt played just 15 games in 2022-23. But the Rebels saw something in the six-foot, 185-pound forward.
“I was just happy to go in the draft. It wasn’t like I was thinking it was the 10th round and it sucks. They were good with me. They said it didn’t matter where I went just show up in camp, show up in practice and show who you are and get your opportunity that’s what’s important.”
It was.
This season all he did was show up and impress.
The Rebels signed him during training camp and had him on the roster for the season opener against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
“I did a lot of work during the summer,” he said. “When they signed me it was a reassurance that they wanted me to be a player on the team.”
Nolan played just the one game with the Rebels heading home to join the OHA Edmonton U18 Prep team once several Red Deer regulars returned from pro camps.
But Schmidt knew he could play at this level.
“I felt this year coming into camp that this is where I belong. This is something I can do. I played a lot in the preseason and the first regular season game and felt comfortable and when I returned home, I was still comfortable and felt I would come back.”
He did just that last week when the Rebels ran into a string of injuries as they hit the road for a four-game road trip through the Eastern Division.
Nolan played in three of the four games.
“It was good to join the team on the road, just to get to know the guys more. It was a tough roadie, but getting back with the guys and skating with them was a good experience.”
As the trip went on Schmidt got more and more ice time.
“The last game I got an opportunity to play more, get more ice time and it helped my confidence even more. Now to keep that in practice and keep it going.”
As the Rebels injured return, Schmidt isn’t sure how long he’ll stick around.
“Definitely I’m hoping to stay but some guys are coming back, and I could be sent back. But I’m fine with that, I’ll get a lot of ice time.”
But it appears as if Schmidt’s style and determination has impressed the Rebels coaching staff and front office enough to keep him around for now.
He’s an excellent skater who doesn’t mind using his body.
“I’m kind of a power forward, play a hard, heavy game and use my size and speed. That’s the role I’ve been put into here.”
But that’s been his style ‘for the most of my career, using my speed to drive the net and get into dirty areas.”
Schmidt has played centre most of his career, although he feels he can play the wing, which he may do if he sticks with the big club.
That will be seen.
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The Rebels return to action Friday in Lethbridge for their fourth game of the season versus the Hurricanes (7 p.m. on 106.7 REWIND Radio and CHL TV). Red Deer is 1-1-1-0 versus Lethbridge this season.
Then on Saturday, the Rebels host their annual Toque and Teddy Bear Toss night against the Kamloops Blazers. Game time is 7 p.m. (TICKETS)
On Tuesday, at the club’s final game before the holiday break versus Swift Current, Central Alberta Co-op is collecting food bank donations. Cosmos is also doing a charity bottle drive at the game.
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Centre Cole Peardon, acquired this week from the Prince Albert Raiders, will wear #28 when he makes his Rebels debut this weekend.
