Red Deer Rebels

Last season: 30-29-9-4, third in Central Division, eliminated in first round of playoffs.

GM/head coach: Brent Sutter (12th season)

Key losses: Michael Spacek, led the Rebels in scoring (30g, 55a), Winnipeg Jets draft pick. Adam Musil, 20-year-old centre, Rebels captain last year (20g, 31a), St. Louis Blues draft pick who will play pro. Evan Polei, 20, (33g, 29a). Defenceman Colton Bobyk (5g, 45a) aged out.

The 20-year-olds: Grayson Pawlenchuk, Mason McCarty, G Lasse Petersen.

The imports: 19-year-old Kristian Reichel, expected to play on the top line. Alex Alexeyev, who was injured for half the year but expected to be top d-man.

Key returnees: G Riley Lamb; F Brandon Hagel (31g, 40a), F Lane Zablocki (28g, 26a), F Austin Pratt (16g, 18a), D Alex Alexeyev (4g, 17a).

New faces: Jared Dmytriw, picked up from Victoria for D Jared Freadrich; Mason McCarty, acquired at the bantam draft for a second-round pick; D 16-year-olds Hunter Donohoe, Sam Pouliot. G Ethan Anders.

Watch for: The Rebels to have a lot more balanced attack and to put a huge emphasis on speed. Last year the Rebels leaned heavily on the trio of Polei, Spacek and Musil for offence, but this time around it will be scoring by committee.

Prognosis: Red Deer will be more balanced scoring wise but also has a number of unproven forwards who need to drive the bus this season. On defence, returning six players will help stabilize, and in goal Riley Lamb needs to assert himself as a No. 1 netminder for the Rebels to contend. — Byron Hackett, Red Deer Advocate