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Rebels’ Carter Smith ‘putting it all together’
09/03/08
BY TREENA MIELKE
Red Deer Express
Despite the Rebels’ losing record last season, right winger Carter Smith is happy to be on the team and is looking forward to the year ahead.
He said Red Deer is a great place to live.
“I love it here,” he said. “I think it’s the best place to play in the league. Everyone is friendly and even though we kept losing last year everybody supported us.”
Smith was picked up by the Rebels from the Yorkton Terriers in November of last year about 15 games into the season. The six-foot, 185-pound forward scored seven goals and had eight assists for the Rebels during season play.
This year he hopes to do even better. He is confident about the season ahead and is anxious for exhibition play to begin.
“I feel like I’m in top shape and I’m excited to get going,” he said.
He believes his teammates are all ready to face the competition.
“Everybody’s on the right track. We all have our noses to the grindstone, we’re all working hard.”
Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin sees a lot of promise in the young player. He noted Smith has had an up and down career and played Tier 2 last year, but said he is showing promise for the upcoming season and is probably in the best shape he has ever been in.
“He’s got the skill level and he seems to be putting it all together. He’s in excellent condition and it’s showing on the ice. We’rehoping he will provide us some good leadership.”
Smith is from Eyebrow, Saskatchewan, a small town outside of Moose Jaw. He played minor hockey in Central Butte and Craik, before going to Moose Jaw where he played Triple A Pee Wee and Midget. He was drafted to the Moose Jaw Warriors and played three years with them before being traded to Everett Silvertips.
He began last season with the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before joining the Rebels.
Wallin said Carter’s positive attitude and willingness to work hard are traits that are evident in all the players this year.
He added a few days off before regular practices began to take part in some team building activities at Camp Goldeye helped the players focus and prepare for the upcoming season.
“It went well,” said Wallin. “It was good for us to get away from the rink for awhile.”
After the brief break at the camp near Nordegg, the Rebels were back on the ice last Thursday.
“They came back with a businesss like attitude and a mind set that is focused on working hard,” he said.
tmielke@reddeer.greatwest.ca 309-5452
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