Rebels name Dave Struch ninth head coach in franchise history

Red Deer, Alta. – Red Deer Rebels Owner, President and General Manager Brent Sutter announced that Dave Struch will return as the club’s Head Coach for the 2024-25 season.

Struch joined the Rebels as Interim Head Coach on March 1 and led the club through the final month of the regular season. He then guided the Rebels to a first-round playoff series win over the Medicine Hat Tigers.

He's sticking around!#RDREBELS I #WHL

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) May 1, 2024

“We are very pleased with the work Dave has done since joining the Rebels and are excited to move forward with him behind the bench next season. Dave brings experience and professionalism to our club and we’re confident he will help lead us where we want to go,” Sutter said.

Struch, a native of Flin Flon, MB, served as Director of Hockey at Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Sask. prior to joining the Rebels. He played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades before embarking on a 14-season professional playing career. Struch has five years of head coaching experience in the WHL, with Saskatoon and Regina, and 12 years as an assistant coach with Saskatoon, Regina, and Everett.

“Very excited to be a part of the Rebels organization and all those within it! I’m looking forward to contributing to the continued success moving forward, along with the development of our players both on, and more importantly, off the ice as they prepare for their future,” Struch said.

Struch becomes the ninth head coach in Rebels franchise history.