Story written by Danny Rode/Red Deer Rebels
The Red Deer Rebels have had success signing players out of the Junior A ranks.
Their latest addition is Owen DeWitt, who joined the WHL squad late last week from the Camrose Kodiaks, signing on Dec. 2.
DeWitt joined the Kodiaks last season after part of a season with the Langley Rivermen of the BCHL, with the idea of playing in the WHL.
“I decided to leave the BCHL for the AJHL because it’s an easier transition to the WHL,” explained the 18-year-old native of Sicamous. “That was my end goal since the (NCAA) rule change, to get to the WHL and get some schooling out of it.”
DeWitt had the idea of playing in the NCAA since he was young. Still it wasn’t until the Rebels offered him a tryout that he got that chance to climb closer to his goal.
“It’s definitely been a little overwhelming. It happened overnight. I got the call, and they asked if I could come down to Red Deer and I’m like ‘of course I’d love to’. It all happened at the last moment,” he said about the last week.
The six-foot-three, 200-pound forward has played five games with the Rebels, picking up one assist. He originally signed a three-game tryout but impressed to a degree that he was quickly signed to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
“The league is way faster, more skilled (than the AJHL) but nothing I can’t handle,” he said. “But it’s definitely better playing with some better players, making more plays.”
DeWitt sees himself a physical winger who “likes to get the pucks deep and go frick some guys up in the corners. Get in front of the net and the goalies’ eyes, just be a good team guy and let the guys know I’m accountable for my actions and a good guy on and off the ice.”
DeWitt found himself debuting on a highly regarded line with Talon Brigley and Beckett Hamilton.
“That definitely helped my confidence, getting the ball rolling and playing with such good players. It definitely helps showcase your abilities … it’s awesome playing with those two.”
Brigley was impressed with DeWitt as well.
“He’s got some skill. He’s quick and has a big body. He showed that in Calgary on the first shift he had four hits and ran some guys over. He plays hard and will be a big pickup for us. We’re happy to have him. He’s a good guy to play with and even a better guy off the ice.”
He also impressed head coach Marc Habscheid.
“So far so good. He’s a big body and is a really nice kid. He fits in well and is a good person which is important to us.
“But with that he’s a good hockey player. He plays heavy and we want him to use his size, plus he skates well for a big guy.
“It’s a big adjustment from Junior A to this level in terms of speed, but he’s done a good job.”
DeWitt picked up his first WHL assist on an early goal by Matthew Gard during a 4-3 win over the Hitmen in Calgary.
MATTHEW GARD!!! His sixth of the season makes it 1-0 for the @Rebelshockey @NHLFlyers | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/RvNX96Kg5u
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) November 30, 2025
“I heard Gardo says over here and I just passed it over and he got a nice goal and I got an assist out of it. It was a great experience and it definitely got my feet under me in that game.”
His first game came against the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings.
“It was nothing I couldn’t handle but it was good knowing what to expect by playing against top teams and getting into those games was a must.”
DeWitt came up through the Sicamous minor hockey program before joining the Eagles of the Kootenay International Junior A Hockey League. He played a full season with the Eagles scoring 19 goals and 32 assists in 44 games and was named the league’s rookie of the year.
“It was awesome playing for my hometown team,” he said. “I played there since I was in minor hockey, so it was definitely a dream to play for them. We also billeted some of the players when I was younger, so it was awesome to play and be the rookie of the year. It got my confidence way up and I was able to showcase my scoring ability. It was a great year to develop.”
