Rebels can clinch first Central Division title in 12 years this week

From the Red Deer Rebels

REBELS THIS WEEK

PLAYOFF BOUND!
The Red Deer Rebels have officially booked their spot in the 2023 WHL Playoffs. With a regulation win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday, the Rebels can also clinch their first Central Division title since the 2010-11 season.

Visit reddeerrebels.com to see the available options for playoff packages and how to guarantee your seat!

ABOUT LAST WEEK

Sat. March 4 – The Rebels played well in their fourth road game in five nights but settled for a single point in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre. Frantisek Formanek had a goal and two assists for this third three-point game of the season. Ollie Josephson, Kai Uchacz, Ben King and Jayden Grubbe each scored once. Mats Lindgren has another big night with three assists. Red Deer outshot Regina 40-20 and was 1-for-5 on the power play while Regina was 1-for-2.

Fri. March 3 – Mats Lindgren had a career high five points (1G, 4A) as the Rebels doubled up the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-3 at Westoba Place. Ben King scored twice on the power play. Jayden Grubbe and Jace Isley scored even strength while Kai Uchacz added an empty netter. Chase Wutzke made 31 saves for his second win of the season. Red Deer outshot Brandon 39-34 and was 2-for-4 on the power play while Brandon was 2-for-6.

Wed. March 1 – The Saskatoon Blades scored three power play goals in a 5-2 win over the Rebels at SaskTel Centre. Craig Armstrong scored for Red Deer in the second period while Frantisek Formanek scored in the third. Saskatoon outshot Red Deer 35-10 and was 3-for-9 on the power play while Red Deer was 0-for-2.

Tue. Feb. 28 – The Prince Albert Raiders scored three times in the first period on their way to a 5-2 win over the Rebels at the Art Hauser Centre. Jace Isley scored in his third straight game for the Rebels early in period two while Jhett Larson added a power play tally with 2.5 seconds left in the frame. Prince Albert outshot Red Deer 23-21 and was 2-for-6 on the power play while the Rebels were 1-for-3.

UPCOMING GAMES

The Rebels return to the Peavey Mart Centrium to battle the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. It’s the first of three remaining games between Red Deer and Lethbridge. The Rebels are 2-0-0-1 versus Lethbridge this season.

This coming weekend, the Rebels take on the Calgary Hitmen in a home and home series starting Friday night (March 10) at the Peavey Mart Centrium at 7 p.m. It’s the final Beer Special of the season with domestic cans available for 2-for-$10.

The Rebels and Hitmen play again Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome to wrap up their season series. Red Deer is 5-1-0-0 versus Calgary so far this season.

KING CLIMBS THE CHARTS

Forward Ben King has 97 career goals with the Rebels placing him for 5^th on the team’s all-time list. With a goal and assist Saturday in Regina, the Vernon, BC native and Anaheim Ducks prospect also became the 10^th player in Rebels history to record 200 career points with the club.

LINDGREN TIES TEAM RECORD

With five points (1 goal, 4 assists) Friday night in Brandon, Mats Lindgren tied the Rebels team record for points in a game by a defenceman (Darren Van Impe did it three times from 1992-94). Lindgren, a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, added three more assists Saturday night at Regina.

300 CLUB

Congratulations to Rebels head coach Steve Konowalchuk on recently recording his 300^th coaching victory in the WHL.

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SPARC Kindness Tree: A Growing Tradition in Capstone

Published on November 19, 2025

SPARC Red Deer

Since 2021, thousands of wooden ornaments painted with messages of kindness and hope by local youth have adorned multiple trees in Capstone during the holiday season.

One of SPARC Red Deer’s Paint the Town Positive initiative, these kindness ornaments are created by youth from various schools, clubs and community groups.

Beginning on November 27^th, area residents are encouraged to visit Canada 150 Square in Capstone to select an ornament to take home – and gift another to someone in their community. This year, SPARC is continuing its partnership with the City, and is thrilled to expand its presence in Red Deer by sharing Kindness Ornaments in recreation facilities across the community.

Sharing kindness plays a meaningful role in supporting our mental well-being. It gives us hope, warms the heart, and fosters a sense of purpose. Acts of kindness can also inspire others to pay it forward – creating a ripple effect of positivity.

SPARC Red Deer is a local non-profit coalition dedicated to strengthening positive assets and resilience in communities. Paint the Town Positive – the youth-driven chapter – collaborated with Capstone to launch the Kindness Tree with the goal of giving back and spreading kindness throughout the community.

To learn more about SPARC, visit sparcreddeer.ca.

Alberta

Edmonton and Red Deer to Host 2027 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship

Published on November 18, 2025

Todayville

News release from the Red Deer Rebels and Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has announced that the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship will be played in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, from Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2027.

The successful bid represents a partnership between OEG Sports & Entertainment, the Red Deer Rebels, Hockey Alberta, the Cities of Edmonton and Red Deer, and the Province of Alberta, which made an $11 million commitment in February 2024 to host events in communities throughout the province.

“We are excited to bring the IIHF World Junior Championship back to Edmonton and Red Deer, and to give hockey fans in Alberta and across the country the opportunity to watch the top under-20 players compete for a gold medal right here in Canada,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact with Hockey Canada. “Both cities have been successful hosts of IIHF and other high-profile international events, and we know our partners in Edmonton and Red Deer will host a world-class event for players, teams, fans and volunteers alike.”

The 18,500-seat Rogers Place, home of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers and Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings, will serve as the primary competition venue and host 17 games, including both semifinals and the medal games. The additional 14 games are set for the 7,050-seat Marchant Crane Centrium, home of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels.

“Alberta is ready to welcome visitors from around the world for the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship,” said Andrew Boitchenko, minister of tourism and sport for Alberta. “This event celebrates the spirit of international competition and our province’s passion for hockey, while showcasing Alberta as a world-class destination for sporting events.”

“Edmonton is thrilled to co-host the IIHF World Junior Championship. This tournament is a fantastic opportunity to watch the world’s best junior hockey players right here in our community, showcasing emerging talent and inspiring a new generation of athletes,” said Andrew Knack, mayor of Edmonton. “Hosting world-calibre events like this also injects vital tourism dollars into our local economy, boosts our city’s vibrancy, and solidifies Edmonton’s reputation as a premiere sports tourism destination.”

Edmonton last hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship in August 2022, which was rescheduled from its traditional winter slot due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gold medal game at the 2022 event was an instant classic, with Mason McTavish making a game-saving play in overtime and Kent Johnson netting the game-winner just over a minute later to give Canada its 19th World Juniors gold medal. The city also hosted in 2021 without fans, and was a co-host with Calgary for the 2012 edition of the event. Red Deer was a co-host for the cancelled 2022 World Juniors, and first hosted the annual under-20 tournament in 1995.

“We are proud to welcome the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship back to our region,” said Jesse Smith, chief executive officer of Tourism Red Deer. “Red Deer’s love for the game and our hospitality will ensure an unforgettable experience for every athlete and fan.”

“The World Juniors give Edmonton an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our city on the world stage,” said Arlindo Gomes, vice-president of business development and venues management with Explore Edmonton. “This event strengthens our global reputation as a premier international sport destination while delivering more than $90 million in total economic impact to our community and inspiring the next generation of hockey players and fans. Edmonton loves hockey and we cannot wait to welcome global athletes and fans.”

Pre-tournament games for the 2027 World Juniors are expected to take place throughout Alberta, allowing fans across the province to watch the best junior hockey players from 10 countries before the puck officially drops in Edmonton and Red Deer on Boxing Day.

With demand for tickets expected to exceed availability, more information about a priority ticket draw and tournament ticket packages will be announced in the coming months. Fans looking to receive updates about the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship as soon as they become available can sign up to become a Hockey Canada Insider today.

“On behalf of all of us at OEG Sports & Entertainment, we are proud to once again be hosting the IIHF World Junior Championship and the best young stars on the planet,” said Stu Ballantyne, president and chief operating officer of Rogers Place and ICE District. “The World Juniors is one of the most celebrated tournaments in hockey, and bringing it back to Edmonton is an honour for our city, our fans and our entire organization. ICE District and Rogers Place were built to facilitate and showcase the very best in sport and entertainment, and we look forward to working closely with Hockey Canada and other partners to deliver an unforgettable experience for the athletes, fans and the global hockey community.”

“We are beyond excited for our fans, partners and community to once again welcome the hockey world to Red Deer,” said Merrick Sutter, senior vice-president of the Red Deer Rebels. “This is a community that loves events, and we know their passion will be on full display once again next December.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.