https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/tag/whl-u-s-priority-draft/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:48:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/paxson-madill-signs-with-rebels Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:24:45 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/paxson-madill-signs-with-rebels RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels are excited to announce that forward Paxson Madill has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the team. Madill was selected by the Rebels with the 42^nd pick in round two of the 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. The native of Hermantown, Minnesota had an outstanding season with his hometown Hermantown Hawks in the United States High School-Minnesota (USHS-MN) league with 34 points in 27 games (11 goals, 23 assists). Prior to being drafted by the Rebels, Madill racked up 26 points in 17 games (12 goals, 14 assists) with the Minnesota Voyageurs 14U AAA. "We are very excited to get Paxson signed. His high hockey IQ and compete level are what we look for in a player,” said Chase Fuchs, Rebels Director of U.S. Scouting. “He is a great kid from a great family who has earned this opportunity and everything he has achieved, and we are very excited for his future with us." Paxson Madill Forward Shoots: Right Height: 5’7 Weight: 135 Birthdate: 2010-05-31 Hometown: Hermantown, MN, USA Last Club: Hermantown High (USHS-MN)]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/trade-rebels-and-pats-swap-draft-picks Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:49:26 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/trade-rebels-and-pats-swap-draft-picks RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels have completed a trade today with the Regina Pats. The Rebels and Pats have swapped first-round picks at the 2026 CHL Import Draft. The Rebels also received a third-round pick in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft (via Everett) from the Pats. The 2026 CHL Import Draft takes place on June 30 starting at 9 a.m. MT. The selection order for the draft has not yet been finalized.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/nathan-salisbury-signs-with-rebels Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:51:03 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/nathan-salisbury-signs-with-rebels RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels are excited to announce that goaltender Nathan Salisbury has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the team. The Edmonton, AB native is coming off an outstanding season with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the AJHL. In 34 appearances, Salisbury ('08) posted a 3.21 goals against average, .902 save percentage and a 17-14-1 record. Salisbury was named to the AJHL North Division All-Rookie Team. In 2024-25 with his hometown Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue U18 AAA (AEHL), Salisbury was 14-4-5 with a 2.45 goals against average and .922 save percentage. Nathan Salisbury Goaltender Catches: Left Height: 6'3 Weight: 175 Birthdate: 2008-06-18 Hometown: Edmonton, AB Last Club: Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/marc-habscheid-resigns-as-rebels-head-coach Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:22:07 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/marc-habscheid-resigns-as-rebels-head-coach RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels today announced that Marc Habscheid has resigned as the club’s head coach. Habscheid leaves after one season with the Rebels in which the club went 26-36-4-2 and returned to the WHL Playoffs. He earned his 600^th career WHL coaching win February 3 in Prince George. “After living back in Canada this last year, I realize that my heart lays in Europe where I’ve lived in my home for the past four years,” explained Habscheid. “I am thankful for the opportunity to coach the Rebels and wish nothing but success to Brent and the entire organization.” “We would like to thank Marc for all of his hard work this past season and wish him the best with his future endeavours,” says Rebels Owner, President and General Manager Brent Sutter. The search for the next head coach of the Red Deer Rebels begins immediately. “We are excited to build on the success we saw in the second half of the season,” Sutter noted. “Our next coach will have a talented roster to work with as we continue toward our goal of bringing a championship back to Red Deer.”]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-acquire-draft-picks-from-royals Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:51:27 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-acquire-draft-picks-from-royals RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels have completed a trade today with the Victoria Royals. The Rebels have acquired three draft picks – a fourth-round pick in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft, a second-round pick in the 2028 WHL Prospects Draft (via Saskatoon), and a fourth-round pick in the 2030 WHL Prospects Draft – in exchange for defenceman Nate Yellowaga. Yellowaga (’08) recorded 27 points in 67 games with the Rebels in 2025-26 and added four points in five playoff games. From Calgary, AB, Yellowaga was selected by the Rebels in round nine, 194^th overall at the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-stock-up-at-new-look-whl-prospects-draft Fri, 08 May 2026 16:37:29 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-stock-up-at-new-look-whl-prospects-draft By DANNY RODE - There was a major change in the WHL Prospects Draft this week, one that the Red Deer Rebels took advantage of. With the U.S. Priority Draft now merged with the WHL Prospects Draft, the Rebels selected four Americans out of their 10 total selections. “This is a first for me in my 30 years in the league,” said Rebels Director of Player Personnel Jamie Novakoski. “I think we had a good draft with the Americans coming in. I think we got some guys later because of it. With the NCAA rule changes there are more guys wanting to come into the league.” “It made it more interesting,” added Rebels Director of U.S. Scouting Chase Fuchs. “It’s a little more adventurist ... a little more fun to see where certain guys are going to go. There is still the National team (USNTD) risk so we’re trying to figure out where guys are going to go and trying to figure out if you’re willing to take a little risk in recruiting them.” Six-foot, 160-pounds forward Charlie Pohl from Woodbury, MN, who played for the Woodbury Bantam AA program, was the first American selected by the Rebels in the fifth round, 98^th overall. Pohl looks to have a high offensive side. He scored 65 goals and added 72 assists for 132 points in 65 games last season. “He’s a bigger body but you don’t get 130 points in bantam by accident,” said Fuchs. “He’s very talented but can bring a physical aspect to his game as well.” The other trio of Americans were selected with the Rebels final three picks all in the seventh round. While they more than pleased with the U.S. side of the draft they were equally as happy with their first overall selection – Danny Ramazanov, a five-foot-nine, 150-pound forward from the NAX U15 Prep team. Ramazanov is a native of Kazakhstan, whose family moved to Saskatoon when he was nine. “We moved to Canada to play hockey,” he said in an interview with Rebels Director of Broadcast and Communications Troy Gillard. He indicated his parents made the move to benefit the growth of himself and his older brother. Both of his parents played hockey and were involved in coaching. His dad, Ilyas Ramazanov, played for Kazakhstan’s national junior team in 2009-10. Ramazanov moved to Devon, AB to join the NAX program last year and finished the 29 game schedule with 26 goals and 32 assists in the CSSHL U15 Prep circuit. “He is a very skilled, solid player,” said Novakoski. “He’s an exciting player with the ability to score highlight reel goals and also make plays at very, very high speed. He makes everyone around him better and is very competitive for an average size guy. “He likes to go into the dirty areas and do whatever it takes to score a huge goal.” Part of that comes from the fact he trains as a boxer. Like in a lot of cases Novakoski indicated “We had him ranked higher than where we took him. “He brings a level of excitement only a certain number of kids do in the draft. We anticipate him to be a top six forward and score some big goals for us down the road.” Ramazanov is just part of what the team was looking for in the draft. “The first thing we wanted to do was add some skill and add guys who could play with pace which you need nowadays. Size isn’t such a huge thing as the game has changed a little bit, but you still do need to balance that out with size. You can’t go too small or too big and we did just that this year. We have good speed and some length guys near the end.” Those guys near the end are the Americans Carter Crowley, Blake Schmitt and Brando Duncan, who were selected 144^th, 146^th and 147^th respectively. Both Crowley and Schmitt played for the highly regarded Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA program. Crowley (five-foot-six, 125 pounds from Faribault, MN) had 17 goals and 50 assists in 59 games last season while Schmitt (six-foot-three, 165-pounds from Edina, MN) had 27 goals and 35 helpers in 59 games. Duncan (five-foot-11,160-pounds from Irving, TX) played with the Dallas Stars Elite U14 AAA squad where he had 19 goals and 31 assists in 51 games and 89 minutes in penalties. “Blake is six-three or four and gives us some length,” said Fuchs. “Carter and Brando are both kids who need a little physical development but are very good players who we look forward to being here.” Fuchs likes what he sees from not only the Americans but the Canadians as well. “The guys all compliment each other in a certain way. We were able to fill a lot of the organizational needs and with the best players available too. Overall, it was a very good draft.” One thing Fuchs liked was the fact the American kids come from good programs. “Shattuck St. Mary’s has had a long line of success and to get a couple of kids out of there and come in they know how to win and have been playing fora championship every year. It’s a winning culture which is important as they know how to do things the right way. As well Woodbury was a top five team in the State and played for the State championship and the Dallas program is one of the preeminent clubs in the U.S.” The other selections for the Rebels were: R3, 48th: Keyn Lindberg, D, 5’10” 160lbs, Calgary, Edge School (29GP,5G, 18A, 23Pts, 40PIM) “He’s one of the harder hitters in the league. Good puck skills and we see some growth as well” – Novakoski. R4, 71st: Connor Baines, F, 6’0”, 160lbs, Maple Ridge, B.C., Yale Academy U15 Prep (59GP, 17G, 50A, 67 Pts, 34 MIP) “From a really good team, He’s the straw that stirs the drink. He can fly. We’re excited he ended up where he did.” - Fuchs. R4, 72nd: Parker Bleich, D, 6’0”, 165lbs, Nipawin, SK, North East Wolfpack U15 AA (27GP, 12G, 18A, 30Pts, 48PIM) He also played eight games with the Tisdale U18 AAA team where he had a goal and three assists “A good farm boy. A stay-at-home defenceman. There’s nothing tansy but not easy to play against, Very responsible defensively, Can see him adding an inch or two and will be a solid player for a long time” - Novakoski. R6 121: Kash Andersen, G, 6’1”, 155 lbs, Wainwright, NAX U15 Prep (15 GP, 2.83 GAA, .908 save percentage, 11-1-2 record) “His game really took off from the start of the season to now, He didn’t face a lot of rubber early but toward the end of the season started to see more rubber and played real well. He always gave them a chance to win.” - Novakoski. R6, 127: Madden Atkinson, D, 6’1”, 165 lbs, Swan River, MB, Parkland Rangers U15 AAA (24GP, 8G, 18A, 26Pts, 18 PIM) “Another late bloomer. He’s a tall lanky kid just growing into his body, Again, a stay-at-home guy who takes care of his own end. Limited offensively but we have that in Lindberg.” - Novakoski.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-make-10-picks-at-2026-whl-prospects-draft Thu, 07 May 2026 21:03:56 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-make-10-picks-at-2026-whl-prospects-draft RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels have made 10 picks at the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft. The group of 2011-born players features six forwards, three defencemen, and one goaltender. 

Rd	Pick	Name	Position	Ht	Wt	Hometown	Last Team
1	17	Danny Ramazanov	Forward	5’9	150	Saskatoon, SK	NAX U15 Prep
3	48	Keyn Lindberg	Defence	5’10	160	Calgary, AB	Edge School U15 Prep
4	71	Connor Baines	Forward	6’0	160	Maple Ridge, BC	Yale Academy U15 Prep
4	72	Parker Bleich	Defence	6’0	165	Nipawin, SK	North East Wolfpack U15 AA
5	98	Charlie Pohl	Forward	6’0	170	Woodbury, MN	Woodbury Bantam AA
6	121	Kash Andersen	Goalie	6’1	155	Wainwright, AB	NAX U15 Prep (CSSHL)
6	127	Madden Atkinson	Defence,	6’1	165	Swan River, MB	Parkland Rangers U15 AAA
7	144	Carter Crowley	Forward	5’6	125	Faribault, MN	Shattuck St. Mary's 14U AAA
7	146	Blake Schmitt	Forward	6’3	165	Edina, MN	Shattuck St. Mary's 14U AAA
7	147	Brando Duncan	Forward	5’11	160	Irving, TX	Dallas Stars Elite U14 AAA

  Eligible players for the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft are 2011-born players who reside in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Players not selected in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be listed by WHL Clubs at any time thereafter. Complete draft results are available at whl.ca.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-select-forward-danny-ramazanov-with-first-pick-at-2026-whl-prospects-draft Thu, 07 May 2026 02:13:52 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-select-forward-danny-ramazanov-with-first-pick-at-2026-whl-prospects-draft RED DEER – The Red Deer Rebels have selected forward Danel (Danny) Ramazonov with the 17^th overall pick in round one of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft. Ramazanov led the Northern Alberta Xtreme (NAX) U15 Prep in scoring this season with 26 goals and 58 points in 29 games. He racked up eight points in six games at the prestigious John Reid Memorial tournament. Danny Ramazanov Forward Shoots: Left Height: 5’9 Weight: 155 Birthdate: Jul 22, 2011 Hometown: Saskatoon, SK Last Team: Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep Nationality: Kazakhstani ]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-days-away-from-adding-talent-in-2026-whl-prospects-draft Fri, 01 May 2026 19:35:19 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/rebels-days-away-from-adding-talent-in-2026-whl-prospects-draft ROUND/PICK 1-17^th overall (from Kelowna via Moose Jaw) 3-48 4-71 (from Swift Current via Moose Jaw) 4-72 (from Vancouver via Kamloops) 5-98 6-121 6-127 (from Spokane via Kelowna) 7-144 7-146 (from Regina) 7-147 (from Victoria) 8-167 9-190 10-213 As the Rebels get set to welcome a new crop of draft picks into the organization, here’s a look back at last year's picks and how they fared in 2025-26… Nolan Wolitski – Defence – Round 1, Pick 7 (signed) The big six-foot-three, 180-pound St. Albert, AB resident posted 15 points in 27 games for Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep (CSSHL). He added one point in seven playoff games and played for Team Alberta at the 2025 WHL Cup at the Marchant Crane Centrium. A dual Canada/USA citizen who grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wolitski joined the Rebels as an Affiliate Player for the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Chace Turchak – Forward – Round 2, Pick 30 (signed) The 5’11, 180-pound forward had a great season for his hometown Calgary Buffaloes U18 AAA (AEHL) in posting 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 36 games. He followed that up with six points in four playoff tilts. Turchak also played for Alberta at the WHL Cup (1 goal, 1 assist in 5 games). He appeared in four regular season games with the Rebels and was on the club’s playoff roster as an AP. Owen Archer – Defence – Round 2, Pick 32 (signed) Unfortunately, Archer has his 2025-26 season cut short due to injury. He played just seven games for the St. Albert Raiders U18 AAA (AEHL), picking up four points, then played for Alberta at the WHL Cup before missing the rest of the year. The six-foot-one, 200-pound blue liner brings an imposing presence after racking up 68 penalty minutes in just 19 games in his U15 AAA season in 2024-25. Chase Nielson – Goaltender – Round 3, Pick 56 It was an outstanding season for the six-foot-one netminder from Fort McLeod, AB. Nielson posted a 12-5-1 record, 3.13 GAA and .913 save percentage for Southern Alberta Hockey Academy (SAHA) U17 Prep (CSSHL). He also appeared in two games for SAHA U18 Prep going 1-0-0 with a 1.31 GAA and .944 save percentage. In three games for Alberta at the WHL Cup he went 2-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .918 save percentage. Neilson was named the CSSHL U17 Prep Top Goaltender and to the First All-Star Team. https://twitter.com/SAHockeyAcademy/status/2047443758023848160   Dylan Russell – Forward – Round 4, Pick 76 The Winnipeg native was captain for gold medal winning Team Manitoba at the 2025 WHL Cup, collecting four points in five games along the way. The gritty six-foot-one, 185-pound forward had 14 points and 71 penalty minutes this season for RINK HA Winnipeg U18 Prep. Russell played four games for the Portage Terriers of the MJHL, scoring two goals. Denys Lupandin – Defence – Round 5, Pick 99 From Saskatoon via Ukraine (his dad Ondrei Lupandin played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the mid-1990s), Denys played for Ukraine at the recent IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division I, Group A tournament in Poland, helping his team to a bronze medal while earning one assist in five games. The five-foot-ten, 180-pound defenceman nine points and 47 penalty minutes in 43 games for the Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA in 2025-26. Sawyer Holmes – Forward – Round 5, Pick 106 Playing for his hometown Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue U18 AAA, Holmes had 23 points in 37 games, highlighted by a hat trick October 29 versus St. Albert. He added five points in 11 playoff tilts to help the club to a provincial title win. The five-foot-ten, 141-pound forward had three points in four games at the Circle K Classic tournament in Calgary. Soren Saumweber – Forward – Round 6, Pick 122 The Minnesota native played for three different teams in 2025-26. In 26 games for Cretin-Derham Hall of the state’s high school league, he collected 22 points and 47 penalty minutes. He picked up 22 points for the MN Canes 15U AAA (MNBEL 15U) and 14 points for Blue Army in the Prep Elite League (PEL). Saumweber is currently listed at five-foot-ten and 155 pounds. Bronx Becker – Forward – Round 8, Pick 168 The Saskatoon, SK native represented his province at the 2025 WHL Cup in Red Deer and had nine points in 44 games with the Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA. The six-foot, 170-pound forward also had 42 penalty minutes. Ryan Overskei – Defence – Round 9, Pick 191 A big body who checks in at six-foot-five and 205 pounds, the Maple Grove, Minnesota native had nine points in 26 games for Totino-Grace High. He also played for Team Minnesota U16 at the Minnesota Hockey Festival. Andrew Nordstrom – Forward – Round 10, Pick 214 The Beaumont, Alberta native recorded 10 points in 33 games for the Leduc Oil Kings U18 AAA. === The Rebels also selected two players at least year’s WHL U.S. Priority Draft, which is not being held this year as American-born players are now eligible for the WHL Prospects Draft. Eli Bimmerle – Forward – Round 1, Pick 6 A highly regarded forward despite his small stature (five-foot-nine, 146 pounds), the Bartonville, Texas native piled up 59 points in 49 games for Dallas Stars Elite 16U AAA. At US 16U Nationals he had five points in four games. Bimmerle also took part in the USA Hockey Boys Select 15 Player Development Camp and recently earned an invitation to the USA NTDP Hockey Evaluation Camp. Paxson Madill – Forward – Round 2, Pick 42 Hailing from Hermantown, Minnesota, the small (five-foot-five, 120 pounds) yet speedy forward racked up 34 points in 27 games in the Minnesota high school league. Madill also had 25 points for the Prep Elite League (PEL) North Stars. ]]> https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/hamilton-scores-twice-canada-blanks-finland-at-2026-iihf-u18-world-championship Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:50:31 +0000 Troy Gillard https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/hamilton-scores-twice-canada-blanks-finland-at-2026-iihf-u18-world-championship Trencin, Slovakia- After suffering a 2-1 upset at the hands of host Slovakia in their opening match, Canada has stormed back with three straight shutout wins at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship. The Western Hockey League contingent combined for nine points to blank Finland 7-0 on Monday morning. Beckett Hamilton and Mathis Preston each scored twice, while Ryan Lin led the way with a goal and two assists. Lin (Richmond, B.C. / Vancouver Giants) and former Victoria Royals star Keaton Verhoeff teed up Adam Valentini for the game's opening goal just over two minutes into the match. The dynamic defenders are ranked 16th and fourth, respectively, among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its final release ahead of the 2026 Draft. Hamilton (Saskatoon, Sask. / Red Deer Rebels) doubled the lead just past the halfway mark of the first period by collecting his own rebound off a shot in the slot, carrying the puck behind the net and banking it in off the Finnish goaltender. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2048741694972027002 Lin's Giants teammate, Mathis Preston (Penticton, B.C. / NHL CSS: 32), made it a 3-0 game by wheeling up the left wing and wiring a shot through traffic to the top shelf. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2048744633346277632 Hamilton, who is ranked 33rd among all NA skaters, closed out the period with his second goal of the night and third of the tournament, courtesy of a pretty setup from Lin. Lin picked off an attempted Finnish breakout pass in their own zone and barreled in on the net before feeding Hamilton for a low shot at the last moment. Hamilton now has three goals for Canada in his first turn representing his country on the IIHF stage. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2048745751610552724 With Canada holding a 4-0 lead entering the third period, Preston amped it up with a one-timer from inside the faceoff dot off a Verhoeff setup for his second strike of the night. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2048765377400754190 Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit / OHL) bagged his tournament-leading fifth goal as the game marched on, and Lin capped off a standout night with a wraparound to make it a 7-0 game. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2048767511760429397 Canada's 3-0-0-1 and 22:2 goals for/against split has the reigning gold medalists sitting first in Group A for the time being, and will await the conclusion of Slovakia's final preliminary round game before meeting their first playoff opponent. (Cami Kepke)]]>