Red Deer’s ‘Mr. Serious’ ready to make big impression at Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game
In a whirlwind of getting-to-know-you conversations at the start of the season, first-year Red Deer Rebels Head Coach Derrick Walser was immediately struck by the resolute demeanor of his team’s up-and-coming talent, Ollie Josephson.
“Ollie is Mr. Serious,” Walser grinned. “When it comes to the game, comes to practice, comes to all those habits he has a pro hockey player demeanor. You notice it right off the hop that he is intense and he just wants to learn.”
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft Eligible forward’s efforts are also giving NHL teams a serious reason to watch closely.
Josephson is among 18 WHL players invited to the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, which is set to take place in Moncton, N.B. later this month.
While the 6-foot-1, 181-pound forward may not be posting the flashiest of numbers (he has four goals and 21 assists in 36 games), his coach believes those stats aren’t telling the full story.
“We’re just tipping the iceberg with him,” Walser said. “Everyone knows Ollie as a 200-foot player, highly competitive player and I think there’s a lot more offense in him. Some players develop that aspect later in their life, later in their game just because of the role they’re put in early in junior and after a while, they start developing that offensive side. He does have a real good vision of the game and we’ve been snake-bitten all year for opportunities and scoring goals and he’s had quite a few looks himself. I think there’s a lot of upside to his offensive ability.”
Josephson has been heating up with a goal and five assists in his last four games, while the stingy Rebels have allowed the third-fewest goals against in the WHL.
The Victoria, B.C. product was originally selected by the Rebels with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
He’s grown to become one of the most consistent Red Deer players and represented Canada for the first time at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he put up three points in five games en route to a gold medal.
NHL Central Scouting has given Josephson a ‘B’ rating as a potential second or third-round 2024 NHL Draft pick, though that could change in the lead-up to this year’s draft in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“This is a pick that just gonna develop into something very special,” Walser added. “I use (Anthony) Cirelli in Tampa as an example all the time. He’s a winner, solidified Tampa’s third line when they went on two Stanley Cup runs and now he’s in their top six scoring goals and that’s what I really see him (Josephson) as. I see him as that guy who is just going to win.”
Basha, Andrew – Medicine Hat Tigers – Calgary, Alta. – 5’11” – 184 – LW
Catton, Berkly – Spokane Chiefs – Saskatoon, Sask. – 5’11” – 170 – C
Curran, Maxmilian – Tri-City Americans – Prague, Czechia – 6’3” – 179 – C
Howe, Tanner – Regina Pats – Prince Albert, Sask. – 5’10” – 182 – LW
Iginla, Tij – Kelowna Rockets – Lake Country, B.C. – 6’0” – 186 – C
Jecho, Adam – Edmonton Oil Kings – Zlin, Czechia – 6’5” – 201 – C
Josephson, Ollie – Red Deer Rebels – Victoria, B.C. – 6’0” – 185 C
Lindstrom, Cayden – Medicine Hat Tigers – Chetwynd, B.C. – 6’3” – 210 – C
Miettinen, Julius – Everett Silvertips – Helsinki, Finland – 6’3” – 205 – C
Parascak, Terik – Prince George Cougars – Lethbridge, Alta. – 6’0” – 176 – RW
Ritchie, Ryder – Prince Albert Raiders – Kelowna, B.C. – 6’0” – 175 – RW
Wetsch, Carson – Calgary Hitmen – Vancouver, B.C. – 6’0” – 187 – RW
Brunicke, Harrison – Kamloops Blazers – Calgary, Alta. – 6’2” – 185 – RD
Elick, Charlie – Brandon Wheat Kings – Calgary, Alta. – 6’3” – 200 – RD
Roberts, Colton – Vancouver Giants – Maple Ridge, B.C. – 6’4” – 198 – RD
Yakemchuk, Carter – Calgary Hitmen – Calgary, Alta. – 6’3” – 190 – RD
Cowan, Dawson – Spokane Chiefs – Warren, Man. – 6’2” – 185 – G
Matecha, Lukas – Tri-City Americans – Pardubice, Czechia – 6’3” – 194 – G
The 40 players will be assigned to either Team Red or Team White in the new year, while captains and alternates for both squads will also be announced in January.
The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 28th edition of this showcase and it will represent the first time that the event has taken place in the province of New Brunswick.
Of the 40 CHL players to compete at the 2023 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Langley, B.C., 37 went on to be selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, including Connor Bedard (Regina Pats), who was chosen first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Since the event was first introduced in 1996, it has featured 16 players who were later selected first overall in the NHL Draft, including Bedard (2023), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Chris Phillips (1996).
The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game airs live on TSN, TSN.ca, the TSN app, and RDS on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (4:30 p.m. MT). With a limited number of tickets available, fans are encouraged to act quickly to secure their seat for the 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton by visiting ticketmaster.ca.
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