By Lorne Starko /
It took the Red Deer Rebels a lot longer than usual to name their team captain this year.
The club was waiting until it got the final word on whether or not Brandon Sutter, last year’s captain, would be returning from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Most people never expected him back this season and that was the case as Sutter stayed in the NHL.
It wasn’t until November 19 that the Rebels finally made their decision on the captaincy and the responsibility fell to homegrown boy Colin Archer.
The 18 year-old defenceman follows in the footsteps of former Rebels blueliners who have worn the Rebels “C” on their jersey: Jesse Wallin, Bryce Thoma, Doug Lynch and Jim Vandermeer.
Wallin, the current Rebels head coach, says Archer is a good fit as captain.
“He’s a key guy for us and he’s a key defenceman for us,” says the Rebels boss. “He emits all the leadership qualities we want out of a captain. We’re building our team for a couple of years here and we wanted some continuity in that position. We didn’t want a turnover there. We thought it was an opportunity to have a guy that will be with us for two or three years and let him be the captain. Archer is the guy. He’s a standup guy on the ice and he battles hard every night. He’s not the most skilled guy but he battles and competes and he’s well respected in our dressing room. He’s a tremendous person. He’s a quality person off the ice. Colin is a prototypical Red Deer Rebel.”
It’s the second season for Archer in a Rebels uniform. Last year, he suited up in 48 games.
Archer played most of his minor hockey in Red Deer and he ended up with a silver medal with the Red Deer Optimist Rebels at the 2007 Telus Cup National “AAA” Midget Hockey Championship which was staged in Red Deer.
Archer says he was a little overwhelmed and excited when he was chosen as Rebels captain and says there are a lot of players on the team who would do a good job in the role.
“I felt really honoured to be the guy the coaches and the organization wanted to wear the letter,” says Archer. “It’s a legacy and there are two captains on the Rebels coaching staff in Jesse Wallin and Bryce Thoma. You can’t have an off game as the captain. It’s really something you’ve got to be consistent about because you’re representing your team and you’ve got to be there for the guys in the dressing room. If you have a bad game, they’re looking at you to see how you react to that.”
Through 27 games, Archer has one goal and five assists but it’s his steady play on the ice that the Rebels need and count on every game.
Archer is basically happy with his play so far this season and he admits he’s had a few off nights.
“I’m not going to score a lot of goals,” Archer admits. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to win and do anything for anybody in that dressing room. If it means getting into a fight or sticking up for someone, or just being vocal on the bench, I’m willing to do anything I can to help this team win.”
The Rebels will continue to have Luke Egener, Cullen Morin and Brennen Wray serve as alternate captains. |
