Rebels Make a Change

The Rebels have made a player change.  In an interview today Steve Junker was able to report that the team traded veteran goalie Alex Ross to Summerland.  The trade was a three way deal with the Osoyoos Coyotes moving goalie Jordan Gluck to the Rebels.  I will update the Summerland to Osoyoos portion of the deal in a day or so.

Alex Ross, had a solid two and a half seasons with the Rebels punctuated by a very memorable playoff run last year.  Steve noted the trade "gives Alex a new opportunity that the change in scenery often brings".  He noted Alex was a good kid and wished him well.

Fans may remember that they have seen Jordan Gluck, our new goalie.  Jordan started for Osoyoos when the Coyotes where in town in October, leading his team to a win making 38 saves.  Jordan, a 19 year old, is from Scarsdale New York.  A rookie in the KIJHL his 2.86 goals against and .90 save percent are very solid numbers.  Junker feels goaltending is a real strong point with the Rebels. He noted, "Connor Beauchamp has played strong, consistent goaltending".  With the addition of Jordan Gluck the Rebels "will possess a good 1-2 punch and a healthy competition for starts".

With the league requirement that team roster cards be down to 25 by December 1, I asked Steve if fans can expect more changes to the team.  He indicated that the team "continues to look for a player or two that can help the club".  Steve identified a veteran defenseman and a top six forward are pieces to the puzzle he is looking for.  He noted, "I expect to make some changes to the team in the coming days".

Steve noted some positive signs as the team approaches the mid-point to the season.  "The team has a number of young players and yet we sit a respectable fifth overall in the league and in the hunt for the Division lead with Beaver Valley and Nelson" and "with the time for being awestruck over, improved and gritty play by the younger players will make a big difference". He observed, Stuart Walton and Anthony Delong have provided good leadership and some consistent scoring.  Tyler Robinson has provided some physical presence. On the rookie front, Steve noted, "Heinrich has been good and recently Cody Disher has stepped up his game.  Junker did mention that veteran Scotty Morisseau "continues the road to game fitness, is working hard and scoring will come".

In other news, several Rebels have recently made successful appearances with the Trail Smoke Eaters as Affiliate Players (AP).  Stuart Walton, Arthur Andrews, and Brenden Heinrich tallied assists in their first games.  Joren Johnson and Aaron Brewer also had good Junior A first games.