It’s make or break time for a handful of Red Deer Rebels hopefuls.

While most of the positions are secure, at least two or three jobs are up for grabs as the Rebels head into their final Western Hockey League preseason action this weekend.

“Obviously it’s a big weekend for a few guys, both vets and rookies,” Rebels GM/head coach Brent Sutter said Thursday, looking ahead to the Scottsville/Red Deer Minor Hockey WHL Classic today to Sunday at the Arena.

“Some decisions are fairly firm because of the way some guys have played, but some of them still have to be determined. We’ll see what happens.”
 
The Rebels head into today’s 4:30 p.m. game with the Saskatoon Blades without four regulars. Defenceman Ross Lupaschuk, forwards Justin Mapletoft and Kyle Wanvig and goalie Shane Bendera are still at their respective NHL camps.

“We don’t know when we’re getting them back so there’s still some uncertainty,” said Sutter.

“If we find out right away that they’re returning before next weekend’s regular-season opener (Sept. 22 versus Calgary at the Centrium) then we’ll probably cut three or four players by Monday.

“If we don’t find out when they’re coming back then we’ll probably release just one or two.”

While at least three forward positions are up for grabs, the back end is pretty much set, meaning rookies Shane Grypiuk and Cody Holzapfel are on the bubble.

“I think we’ll just have to see how the weekend goes, but I’d say they’re still in the mix,” said Sutter.

“We don’t know what Lupaschuk’s situation is. Until we get him back it’s kind of tough to determine who we’re going to keep. We have to let one guy go for sure and two when Lupaschuk comes back.”

Another player who has to impress the coaching staff this weekend is forward Jeff Smith, who was suspended four games for incurring a match penalty for hitting from behind in the club’s first preseason game Sept. 1 against Calgary.

Smith will return to action Saturday against Prince George (7:30 p.m.) and will also play in Sunday’s 4:30 p.m. game against Regina.

“He hasn’t played an (entire) exhibition game so he still has to come in and prove that he wants to be here,” said Sutter.

Netminder Cam Ward and Michael Garnett will also be under the microscope. Ward, 16, has outplayed his 18-year-old teammate in the preseason.

“The question with these guys is who’s going to be one of our two goalies,” said Sutter. “Bendera will start on opening night (Sept. 22) but I’m not necessarily saying he’s the No. 1 goaltender. That will be determined as the season goes along.”

Sutter has summoned twin brothers Dan and Adam Rosenke of Edmonton for the weekend tournament. The 16-year-olds were released following Red Deer’s intrasquad game last month.
 
Czech forward Martin Vymazal won’t be available tonight, as he’ll serve a one-game suspension for fighting in last weekend’s 4-1 win at Lethbridge.

But countryman Ladislav Kouba will be in uniform, making his first preseason appearance. The Rebels have yet to acquire Kouba’s permanent release from the Czech Hockey Federation, but can use the 16-year-old forward for a period of 15 days, starting from the first game he plays.

Kouba will line up with Joel Stepp and Doug Lynch on one forward unit tonight, while Justin Wallin, Andrew Bergen and Colby Armstrong will play on another line.

Meanwhile, Devin Francon will play between Jason Ertl and Donovan Rattray, and Joel Rupprecht will line up with the Rosenke brothers.

The defensive corps will consist of Jim Vandermeer, Derek Meech, Jeff Woywitka, Bryce Thoma, Dion Phaneuf and Grypiuk.

Ward is slated to play the entire game in goal.

Regina will take on Prince George at 7:30 p.m. today. The Pats will face Saskatoon at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Saskatoon and Prince George will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday.

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l Former Rebels sniper Dean Tiltgen, who scored 50 goals in the club’s inaugural 1992-93 season, has signed with Augusta of the East Coast League.

l The Atlanta Thrashers have returned forward Zdenek Blatny to the defending WHL champion Kootenay Ice.