Rebels star Hagel closing in on Asham’s franchise record for assists

Brandon Hagel is on the verge of making Red Deer Rebels history.

The next assist drawn by the Rebels’ fourth-year forward will tie the all-time regular-season franchise mark of 161 assists currently held by Arron Asham, who also played four seasons with the WHL club starting in 1994.

Barring an unforeseen circumstance, Hagel will almost certainly draw even with and break Asham’s record in short order. When he does accomplish the task, it’s an honour he won’t take lightly.

“I’ve been here for four years so it’s something really, really special to me. Being able to end my (major junior) career off with something like this will be really special,” said Hagel. “I’m still a couple away, but if I get there, it will be pretty special to do it with this jersey on.”

Hagel has been a productive player with the Rebels since day one of his arrival and is currently enjoying a career season with 75 points (30G-45A) in 48 games, good for fifth place in Western Hockey League points race.

He insisted his off-season regimen didn’t change, but that he simply entered his final year with the Rebels with a chip in his shoulder after the Buffalo Sabres, who selected the Morinville, Alta. product in the sixth round of the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft, didn’t offer him a contract at last June’s deadline.

“I didn’t get what I wanted last year, so I knew I needed to do something this year to get that,” he said. “I just pushed myself to the limit and got myself to where I am today and I just have to keep moving forward.”

What Hagel is today is a signed prospect of the Chicago Blackhawks, who inked the 20-year-old to a free-agent deal in late October after he started the season on a tear.

His ability to secure a deal with the Blackhawks was yet another reminder that an episode of despair can make one stronger.

“I had a lot of family and friends to support me through it,” he said of his disappointing turn of events with the Sabres. “It’s a dream to sign a contract so when that doesn’t happen there’s a little downfall to it all. But, I kept my head high and kept moving forward. That’s what you have to do and it worked out for me.”

The Rebels have struggled as of late and have fallen from first place in the tightly-contested Central Division into a wild-card playoff spot.

With the team facing a rigid five-game trip through the U.S. Division next week, a pair of home-ice wins over the Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors Friday and Saturday would provide a boost of momentum.

In fact, if the Rebels want to stay in the race for top spot in the division back-to-back wins might be necessities.

“This weekend is huge, we all know where we are in the standings,” said Hagel. “We have to make a push. We have a good hockey team here and we just have to keep moving forward. We have to get back to our game,  back to how we know we can play.

“We’ve had a week off and we’ve worked really hard. We’ve talked a lot as a group and I think that’s going to help us a lot going into the weekend and beyond.”