2024 WHL Graduates – Red Deer Rebels

Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2023-24 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series.

We continue with the graduating players from the Red Deer Rebels.

Elias Carmichael (D)
Hometown: Langley, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 252 GP – 14G-56A – 70 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Second Round, 40th Overall (Kelowna Rockets)

Elias Carmichael has come a long way since his early years in the WHL. Selected in the second round, 40th overall by the Kelowna Rockets at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, the defenceman was one of two 16-year-old players to make Kelowna’s roster as a full-timer during the 2019-20 season. He made his Western League debut on September 21, 2019, and recorded his first point (an assist) on October 29, 2019. His first career goal came in the latter half of the season, tickling the twine on February 22, 2020, against the Victoria Royals. Carmichael recorded 10 points (two goals–eight assists) in his inaugural season. His first-year performance was enough to earn him the Rockets’ Most Improved Player award. Carmichael played a total of four seasons with the Rockets before being acquired by the Red Deer Rebels in May 2023. With the Rockets, the blueliner recorded 60 points (13 goals–47 assists) in 192 regular season games. Carmichael then made his Rebels debut on September 22, 2023. The stay-at-home defender played a total of 60 games in Red Deer, amassing one goal and nine assists for 10 points.

Elias Carmichael lets an innocent shot go that finds its way to the back of the net. pic.twitter.com/qHX5rY7fPo

— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) March 12, 2023

Carson Latimer (F)
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 178 GP – 48G-74A – 122 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – Third Round, 49th Overall (Edmonton Oil Kings)

After making a name for himself in four different WHL markets, well-rounded forward Carson Latimer graduates the WHL following his fifth season part of the junior hockey landscape. Nabbed in the third round (49th overall) by the Edmonton Oil Kings at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, Latimer made his first appearance in the Western League on December 3, 2019. It was on the same night that the 6-foot-1 winger tallied his first career goal – banging a rebound past Moose Jaw Warriors netminder, Adam Evanoff. Latimer played 46 games over a three-season span with the Oil Kings, collecting 25 points (12 goals–13 assists). In December 2021, Latimer – along with future Prince Albert Raiders captain Eric Johnston and four draft picks – was dealt to Prince Albert in exchange for Montreal Canadiens prospect, Kaiden Guhle. With the Raiders, the Surrey, B.C. product exploded onto the scoresheet, racking up 60 points (22 goals–38 assists) in 75 total games. Following one of his best season-wide performances to date, Latimer was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round (123rd overall) at the 2021 NHL Draft. In December 2022, the newly minted NHL prospect was once again on the move. This time, taking his talents to the Winnipeg ICE as the Club was looking to make a deep push in the 2023 WHL Playoffs. With the ICE, Latimer reached the 2023 WHL Championship Series, recording six points (four goals–two assists) in 14 post-season appearances. Prior to the 2023-24 WHL Season, Latimer was traded for the final time. Now, as one of three over-agers on the Red Deer Rebels, the forward suited up in 35 regular season games for the Alberta-based club, tallying up 25 points (10 goals–15 assists). Having gone unsigned by the Senators, Latimer is currently committed to play for the University of British Columbia’s men’s program for the 2024-25 season.

Carson Latimer is the sharpest of shooters!🎯@Rebelshockey | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/5JO0NbIjfB

— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 6, 2024

Kai Uchacz (F)
Hometown: De Winton, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 245 GP – 109G-100A – 209 points
WHL Draft: 2018 – First Round, 10th Overall (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Kai Uchacz graduates the WHL following a five-season career with both the Seattle Thunderbirds and Red Deer Rebels. Uchacz was originally selected 10th overall by Seattle at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, making his debut on February 1, 2019. The forward’s first season with the T-Birds was a quick five-game stint, where he recorded two points (one goal–one assist). Uchacz played a total of 57 games in Kent, Wash., amassing three goals, seven assists, and 10 points. He then returned home to Alberta, as he was traded to the Red Deer Rebels in July 2021. The product of De Winton, Alta. spent three seasons in Red Deer, registering 199 points (106 goals–93 assists) in 188 appearances. In 2022-23, Uchacz was one of two WHLers to hit the 50-goal plateau during the regular season, only falling behind Regina’s Connor Bedard and his 71 goals. As Red Deer’s one of three 20-year-old players, the forward was named the Club’s captain for the 2023-24 WHL Season.

Captain Kai Uchacz has the 2023 Teddy Bear Toss goal for the @Rebelshockey! pic.twitter.com/en9ctTZFZL

— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 3, 2023