Red Deer Rebels selected forward Ethan Rowland in the first round of the WHL Bantam Draft held in Calgary this afternoon.

The 15-year-old and Calgary native scored 14 goals and added 25 tallies with the Calgary Northstar Sabres in Bantom AAA this season and said he couldn’t be happier joining the Rebels organization.

“I’m super thrilled about joining a great organization like Red Deer and really excited to get started with them.”

Rebels Head Coach and GM Brent Sutter is well-known for putting together hard working teams and Rowland believes he’ll be a good fit.

“I can play in any situation, I like finishing hits and playing aggressive. I think it’s what I’m good at, being fast and hard working.”

Being selected 22nd overall is something Rowland was extremely proud of.

“It was pretty surprising. I didn’t expect to go that high and was humbled that I got a chance to go super high in the draft.”

Because Rowland was born in 2002, he will not be eligible to play full time in the WHL until the 2018-19 season.