(Photo of Steve Konowalchuk from Getty Images, Matt Martin)

By Troy Gillard/RdnewsNOW Staff

Steve Konowalchuk named Red Deer Rebels head coach

Jun 8, 2021 | 12:20 PM

The Red Deer Rebels have named Steve Konowalchuk as their new head coach.

This will be the second head coaching stint in the Western Hockey League for Konowalchuk. He was bench boss for the Seattle Thunderbirds from 2011-2017 and guided them to a WHL Championship in 2016-17. In six seasons behind the bench he compiled a regular season record of 219-176-22-15.

Currently an amateur scout with the New York Rangers focusing on WHL prospects, the Utah native has served as an NHL assistant coach with both Colorado and Anaheim.

He also played minor hockey in Prince Albert in 1989-1990.

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Konowalchuk played two seasons in the WHL with Portland from 1990-92. He went on to play 790 NHL regular season games and 52 playoff games with Washington and Colorado.

Rebels owner, president and general manager Brent Sutter resigned from his head coaching duties on April 9.

Konowalchuk will officially join the Rebels in August, after his duties with the Rangers are complete. The team will look to add an assistant coach this summer.

“Steve is the right coach at the right time for our hockey club, said Sutter. “He is a person of high character, whose intensity and work ethic match that of our organization and community. With Steve’s winning pedigree, we have the right leadership to become a championship-calibre team. We welcome Steve and his family to Central Alberta.”

“I would like to thank Brent Sutter and the Red Deer Rebels for the opportunity to coach in the WHL again,” Konowalchuk said. “The organization has established itself as a top franchise in the league, and I look forward to working with the staff and players on reaching the organization’s high expectations.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to the New York Rangers for the opportunity given to me over the past three seasons.”

More to come.