The Red Deer Rebels will open up their preseason this Saturday in St. Albert (vs MJ Warriors).
Between now and the season opener on September 18th, Red Deer will play six preseason games in order to whittle down the roster.
Wednesday, September 2 vs Calgary @ Centennial Arena (Cgy) 7:00PM
Friday, September 4 vs Edmonton @ Stettler 7:30PM
Saturday, September 5 vs Edmonton @ Leduc 7:00PM
Friday, September 11 vs Kootenay @ Innisfail 7:30PM
Saturday, September 12 vs Calgary @ Lacombe 7:30PM
So, who is left standing after training camp, and what spots are available?
In terms of goaltenders, there are three left in camp, Darcy Kuemper (19), Kraymer Barnstable (19), and Cam Gorchynski (17). Kuemper will be the number one on this team, leaving the other two to battle for the backup role.
On the blueline, there are 10 defenseman left. Make it 9, as 15 year-old Matt Dumba can't stick, but will get a chance to showcase his skills in the preseason. With a top four of Cullen Morin (20), Alex Petrovic (17), Justin Weller (18) and Colin Archer (19), that leaves five players (Nick Bell, Kevin Woodyatt, the injured Matt Pufhal, import Jindra Barak, and Brad Deagle) to fight for three spots. Bell left the B&W game with what's being called a "mild ankle sprain", but I still think he has an inside track on one of the jobs.
Up front, there are pretty much 11 spots spoken for at this point, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Landon Ferraro, Nathan Green, Willie Coetzee, Cass Mappin, Brett Ferguson, Connor Redmond, John Persson, Josh Cowen, Adam Kambeitz, and one of two 20 year-olds, Jordie Deagle and Cody Esposito, all likely to stick.
Assuming the team dresses 12 forwards and keeps two spares, there are three jobs available. Not counting Mason Burr, the only 15 year old left, there are eight players battling for three open spots on the team. They are:
Brett Miller (18)
Jesse Mireau (18)
Jordan Neduzak (17)
Turner Elson (17)
Chad Robinson (16)
Tyson Ness (16)
Colten Mayor (16)
Daulton Siwak (16)
-Siwak has mono, and will be out until September sometime. Heading into camp, he was widely expected to be on the team, so we'll see what the club decides to do. Jesse Mireau and Turner Elson both helped themselves with strong performances in the Black and White game, while Colten Mayor, in my books, has done nothing but impress from day one. Another quiet three points last night.
Who makes it? Who gets re-assigned? The coaching staff has two weeks of preseason to figure it out. What do you think?
AW - sports@big105.fm
Thursday, August 27, 2009
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5 comments:
Good stuff out Red Deer Andrew.
Thanks Jonny.
I'm doing what I can!
SC RD one-two in the East?
Word is Woodyatt will not be with Rebels this year
That is unfortunate, as he seemed the most ready of any of the younger prospects still in camp. Guess they are going to go with an forward, possibly one of the overage forwards on the blueline in the event of an injury this year.
Andrew Can you fill us in on the Dusyk prospect? How he played....
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