Rebels solidifying fall line-up under new leadership
By Castlegar Source
New Castlegar Rebels head coach and general manager Bill Rotheisler has had a busy couple of weeks since taking control of the Castlegar Rebels.
The team is pleased to announce they’ve acquired the playing rights to 20-year-old Logan Styler from the Creston Valley Thunder Cats. In exchange, the Thunder Cats receive the playing rights to a pair of Forwards: 20-year-old, Tyler Barrett and 19-year-old, Tayden Woods.
In 83 career games with the ‘Cats, Styler, a Forward from Prince George, scored 44 goals and added 63 assists, for a total of 107 points.
“Having an opportunity to add a proven playmaker and goal scorer like Logan doesn’t come along every day, he was our best case target, and we’re thrilled to have him in Castlegar colours,” Rotheisler said. “Unfortunately, it comes with a price, in order to get something, you have to give something. I think in this deal, both teams added assets that will help fill their needs.”
Styler said he’s delighted as well.
“It’s time to do something and I’m really excited to make the most of out of this year and my opportunity here,” Styler said. “I’m familiar with (head coach) Bill, and really looking forward to what we can contribute to what is an already great group of core guys.”
In other Rebel news, 17-year-old forward Justin Podgorenko, from Nelson, was acquired from the Thunder Cats in a separate deal, for future considerations.
When asked about the recent player moves, Rotheisler said, “These deals are poetic examples of showing the returning players and fans that we’re serious about setting our goals and committing to them. On the ice, we simplified our searches to two things; firstly, becoming a tougher team to play against and secondly, recouping our lost scoring from graduated players.”
As for Podgorenko, Rotheisler was quick with praise, “Justin fits our vision of a prototypical tough-to-play-against player. He’s not just tough, he’s polished and skilled enough to eat up possession time in tough minutes.”
The Rebels have also signed goaltender Jason Mailhiot. The 18-year-old from Trail, spent two years in the BCMML before playing with the Creston Valley Thunder Cats last season. Mailhiot started the season on Creston’s practice roster, but when starting goaltender Brock Lefebvre went down with an injury, he stepped in and compiled a record or 6 wins and 0 losses with a goals against average of 1.57 and a save percentage of .948.
Also, goaltender Logan Sawka has signed with the Espanola Express of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, and forward Morgan Scriber has signed with the English River Miners of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. Congratulations to these players and to Chris Brees, who is also moving on from the Rebels. Brees has signed to play with the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Castlegar native Ed Lindsey has committed to returning to the Rebels for the 2016-17 season. He joins Vince Bitonti, Chance Szott, Jesse Reeds, Dallas Goodwin, Ian Wentworth, Luke Madge and newly minted captain Daniel Petten as confirmed returners for next season.
