Red Deer Rebels to face unique living situation during WHL season

The Red Deer Rebels of the WHL will be taking an extra precautionary approach to keep their hopes of playing a full season alive.

The junior hockey league's Central Division is set to start its games on February 26, and the Rebels are planning on housing their players at Westerner Park Centrium, the team's home arena. They believe that this will be safer than having their players stay with billets.

«We agreed it would be the safest thing to do, the right thing to do, to make it work the best we could, to make sure we were following all the protocols and guidelines to be able to make it work," Rebels owner, GM and head coach Brent Sutter told the Red Deer Advocate. "A lot of time and effort by everyone involved."

Previously, the team had to undergo a four-day hotel quarantine as a part of their return-to-play plan. The players were all tested, and there were no positives among the team.

For the entirety of the campaign, the Rebels will be treating their players like kings, as they will be staying in the arena's private suites. The team has three separate locations for the players to work on schoolwork during the season, while also setting up other fun activities for the players. Social spaces with TVs, couches, and card tables have been created for the players, along with basketball hoops and ping pong tables. Even the players' meals are taken care of, as they will be catered from the kitchen in the arena.

Since fans will not be permitted for games this season, it was an easy decision to let the players stay at the arena. The team's staff, although, will be living at their homes for the most part, but they are required to keep contact to a minimum and follow other guidelines.

«The kids are very excited about being here, they all showed up and are all settled into their own suites. The billets brought beds over and we borrowed some beds from other people. It's actually really awesome,» Brent Sutter said.

«It was a lot of work but the kids are really excited and excited about getting back to playing some hockey and getting going here.»

Source: Sportsnet

MUST READ

1 hour ago  |  By Julien Trekker Analyst Calls on the Boston Bruins to Make a Big Shake-Up Trade After Firing Jim Montgomery

5 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Blasts Officials After Loss to the Montreal Canadiens Last Night

18 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Several Teams Likely No Longer Pursuing Chris Kreider After Stunning Statement From Him in New Interview

20 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Negotiations Reportedly Underway With the NFL's Washington Commanders for a Return to Controversial Logo

21 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente St. Louis NHL Hopeful Colin Brown Tragically Passes Away at 16 After Succumbing to Injuries From Violent Crime

22 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Identities of the Men Who Attacked Paul Bissonnette Exposed: More Disgusting Crimes Come to Light

Nov 27  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks Make Trade Involving Young Forward

Nov 27  |  By TJ Tucker Robin Lehner Dropped by His Bankruptcy Lawyers: Has Not Been Heard From in Several Months

MORE STORIES