Busy Day - Wallin - University Commitments

Just a day after I was putting some serious thought into the Rebels GM situation comes a release from the Rebels hockey club today:

Jesse Wallin Named Vice-President Of Hockey Operations

RED DEER, AB – Brent Sutter, President/Owner of the Red Deer Rebels Hockey Club, announced today he has named Jesse Wallin Vice-President of Hockey Operations. Wallin will also remain as the team’s Head Coach; he is entering his second season in that position. He was the Rebels Associate Coach in 2007-08 and was the team’s Assistant Coach from 2005 to 2007.

Wallin is a former Rebels player, playing in 215 regular season games with the team as well as another 30 playoff games. He went on to a six-year professional career after being selected in the first round of the 1996 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings and was part of their 2002 Stanley Cup Championship. Wallin also was part of Team Canada’s 1997 World Junior Championship gold medal team.

Randy Peterson, the former Vice-President of Hockey Operations, is now the Rebels’ Director of Scouting and Player Development. He will remain as the team’s Alternate Governor.

Brent Sutter, President/Owner Red Deer Rebels Hockey Club - “This move was made because Jesse is hands on with the team on a day-by-day basis. He is in the best position to make decisions that affect the hockey operations. The move allows Randy to concentrate strictly on scouting and player development.”

Jesse Wallin, Vice-President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach – “I’m honored for this opportunity. I look forward to working with Randy Peterson, our scouts, and coaching staff. We are committed to a very competitive team for this season and into the future.”

--So there you go. A pretty interesting development. More trust in Wallin, and a bit more separation from Brent Sutter when it comes to running the hockey club.

--Three former Western Leaguers have committed to the U of Calgary next season. Luke Egener, who played his final season with the Red Deer Rebels in 08-09, Eric Frere, who played parts of three seasons in Red Deer before moving on to MJ, CGY, and KTN. And Graham Potuer, a Red Deer native who became one of the most underrated blueliners in the entire WHL the past two seasons. Sounds like a pretty good coup for the U of C. A lot of experience.

--Coming up tomorrow morning: Comments from potential first-rounder Landon Ferraro, as well as my mock draft.