REBELS: Skill and Size improved with additions of DeBrusk and Rattie

There's no secret about what Taden Rattie is expected to bring to the Red Deer Rebels.

The team acquired Rattie's WHL rights from Portland Monday in exchange for a 4th round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. Rattie reported to the Rebels Tuesday morning. 

He's here to make his imposing presence felt and make the Rebels a tougher team to play against, and Rattie has the credentials.

"My size factor, they [Brent and Shaun Sutter] talked about it," Rattie said prior to his first practice with the Rebels. "I'm 6'4" so I've got to use my body out there, finish checks and just forecheck hard and do what I can."

The Airdrie native has racked up 297 penalty minutes in 87 career games in the AJHL, including 142 in 34 games with the Calgary Mustangs this season (3rd in the league).

REBELS: Dumba Dealt To Portland

Trade breakdown (as per whl.ca)

The Red Deer Rebels have officially parted ways with Mathew Dumba.

Today, the Rebels traded Dumba’s WHL playing rights, along with a conditional 2014 WHL Bantam Draft pick, to the Portland Winterhawks. In return, the Rebels get 18-year-old forward Presten Kopeck and conditional bantam draft picks.

While it has become quite clear that the Minnesota Wild have no interest in sending Dumba back to play for an on-the-fringe playoff contender (if they ever had any to begin with), the chance to send him out west to play for a league championship and Memorial Cup contender may be a much more enticing possibility. It is clearly a possibility that both Rebels GM / Head Coach Brent Sutter and Winterhawks GM / Head Coach Mike Johnston are banking on.