The first Western Hockey League semester has come and gone and the Red Deer Rebels’ report cards are due.

Just past the quarter-pole in this most successful of seasons, the Rebels have passed every test with their stringent work habits and their attention to detail.

And they’ve passed with honours. The first-semester marks are sky-high, which is hardly surprising for a 15-3-1 team ranked fourth in all of the nation.

The evaluation that follows is not based on individual performance, but rather the effort and delivery of each of the three specific positions, as a whole, as well as the coaching staff.

Without further ado, the grades:

Goal — Is there a better one-two punch in the league than Michael Garnett and Shane Bendera? Not so far. The 18-year-olds are first and third, respectively, among WHL stoppers with GAAs of 2.15 and 2.51. Garnett’s save percentage is a sparkling .905; Bendera’s just slightly less stellar at .897. What puts this duo over the top is the recent play of Bendera, who’s shaken off some mediocre October outings to regain the form he displayed while holding the fort in a staggering 69 games last season. Rebels boss Brent Sutter has rotated his ‘tenders on a regular basis, a nifty notion and not one that many coaches can actually carry out with confidence. Sutter has faith in Garnett and Bendera, and they’ve rewarded him by maintaining their focus despite facing a low number of shots while playing every other game.
Grade: A

Defence — Led by veterans Jim Vandermeer and Ross Lupaschuk, the row of rearguards features a superb mix of size, toughness, talent and mobility. Ah, mobility, the most valuable of assets in today’s game of large, speedy forwards and high-pressure forechecks. The Red Deer blueliners are agile and they move the puck with authority. In addition, this is not a group that can be intimidated. Vandermeer is a legitimate heavyweight, and Lupaschuk and converted centre Doug Lynch can handle themselves when push comes to shove and beyond. Rookie Derek Meech and Jeff Woywitka are future WHL stars, as is Lynch, while Bryce Thoma is more than reliable. Freshman Shane Grypiuk is often the odd man out, but the 17-year-old defender is capable of playing in the league and at six-foot-three, 195 pounds, brings a physical element to the table. The Rebels have allowed fewer goals than any other WHL team, by a comfortable margin, and the blueline brigade, in particular Lupaschuk, Vandermeer and Lynch, have also made major offensive contributions.
Grade: A

Forwards — Justin Mapletoft has been an offensive force, as his 12 goals and 37 points would suggest, but it’s highly unlikely any other Red Deer winger or centre will flirt with the century mark this season. The goals haven’t come easy, but the entire group of up-front skaters has bought into Sutter’s defensive scheme, which, if executed properly, creates scoring chances by forcing turnovers. The group, as a whole, is big and fast and eager to please. While Mapletoft, Kyle Wanvig and Colby Armstrong form the line most likely to light it up, the unit of Jeff Smith, Justin Wallin and Andrew Bergen routinely keeps the puck in the opposition zone. Boyd Gordon and Joel Stepp are fearless forecheckers who will score more as they stride further into their sophomore season, while Diarmuid Kelly is a nifty package of size and mobility and overage winger Devin Francon is an effective grinder who keeps opponents honest. Czech imports Ladislav Kouba and Martin Vymazal still have much to learn about the Canadian game, but neither is lacking in skills. Donovan Rattray is a gritty winger who made the unlikely jump from junior B to major junior. He’ll slip back into a support role once he returns from an extended layoff due to a concussion. Another player on the verge of returning from injury is Shay Stephenson, who will be eased into the lineup as early as this weekend. More goals would be welcome, but how can you knock this group’s commitment?
Grade: B

Coaches — Sutter and assistant Dallas Gaume must be commended for guiding this still-young group into the WHL’s upper echelon. No team works harder and seldom is a team better-prepared for battle. The players believe in each other and that’s a credit to the coaching staff, which also include goalie tutor Andy Nowicki.
Grade: A