Struch grateful for time with Rebels, hopes to return next season
By DANNY RODE
Dave Struch hopes he passed the audition.
After taking over as Interim Head Coach for the Red Deer Rebels at the start of March, the Flin Flon, Manitoba native helped straighten the ship and guide the club into the second round of the WHL Playoffs.
Whether he gets to stick around for the long haul is something to be discussed in the near future with Rebels Owner, President and General Manager Brent Sutter.
“I’ve enjoyed it here, it’s some place I’d like to be,” Struch said Friday. “It’s out of my hands but I hope to have the opportunity to discuss the future with management. I hope works out.”
Struch worked during his time with the club to build a program where the players are prepared for what is ahead of them on the ice and off.
“I see a lot of potential for the individuals, which means a lot of potential for the team, which is an exciting thing,” he said.
The season didn’t end how anyone wanted it as they were swept by the Saskatoon Blades in the Eastern Conference Semifinal after beating Medicine Hat 4-1 in round one.
“It was disappointing doing this (season-ending interviews) this early, but every team goes through it at the end of the year.
“It’s good for us to voice our thoughts on their preparation, things they need to do during the summer with preparation for next year.
Struch added, “I think it’s also important to hear a bit from them, how they feel about their game, their season, the team’s season and outlook going forward.”
In games three and four versus Saskatoon, the Rebels used Regina native Taylor Tabashniuk in net in place of both Rhett Stoesser, who was injured in practice prior to the start of the series, and Chase Wutzke, who was injured in game two and couldn’t go for games three or four.
It was tough for Tabashniuk, who was outstanding with the Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA squad this year, but Struch was proud of how he competed.
“It was tough as he never played a game at this level and then goes up against a top-five team in the country who have six or seven top forwards, five or six top defencemen and good goaltending. I thought he held his own and the guys played hard in front of him.”
Struch felt the entire team also battled hard in front of their young netminder.
“The biggest part was the commitment to playing the right way right through,” he said. “Some of it was uncontrollable. Nothing we can do about the fact it was a bad hit and knocked our goalie out. That was done with. It was how we act and react to that situation. The resilience, work ethic and playing the right way was positives from it.
“Little victories along the way. The success we gain from those failures and mistakes that’s something, especially for the young guys, moving forward that become the most important thing.
“Without doubt this team’s identity is huge … we lived up to it as we continue to grow and hopefully win together in the future.”
What advice did Struch pass down to his players as they departed?
“Preparation. From my first day here I talked about it, not just hockey and sports but everyday living,” he shared.
“Preparation is and we know as adults is and always will be and has been the most important thing in life if you want to excel and want to rise your standard of excellence.”
It’s hard to win in the WHL, just ask Struch.
“I was fortunate to be on two teams that hosted Memorial Cups and we lost out early in both. I was on a team that had a chance to win the league finals and we lost out. It was good experience going through those hardships. It’s very difficult. Just look at this league, in fact all 64 teams in the CHL, it’s hard to win at this high level.”
So what does he say is the next step to develop into a championship team?
“Develop the young guys, not just on the ice but off, on how they carry themselves, their maturity daily so they can develop as individuals and gain success.”
He wants to make sure all the players understand what the Red Deer Rebels are all about.
“Everybody knows what the Rebels identity is, they know what the Sutter family is and what they want in life and the character and discipline to do things the right way every day. We saw that development over the past six or seven weeks I’ve been here.
“The young guys going through what we did was important for their future. Even the guys who have been here … their leadership, work ethic and standard of excellence … you see it day-to-day.”
Struch indicated if he doesn’t return to Red Deer next season, he’ll look for other opportunities.
He will also continue to consult with Notre Dame in Saskatchewan, where he was working when hired by the Rebels.
“No matter what my fate I’ll still work to assist them, guide them and help them in a consulting role in taking the next steps there.”
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