The Red Deer Rebels fell 6-2 last night in game 7 of their series with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Up 3-1 in the series at one point, the Rebels were unable to finish off the Canes, and their season is over.

Head Coach Brent Sutter says he's proud of what the team accomplished in a rebuilding year.

"It was a year about development. A year about progression. And a year about putting these young players through some experiences that could really help them down the road. A playoff series, a game 7 on the road. Those will both help our team in the long run."

Sutter says the hardest part about the season ending, is saying goodbye to the veterans

"It's a difficult day because these guys that have been with you, have gone from being 16 or 17 year old players to being 20 and moving on to bigger and better things. It hard because they're like your own kids."

Sutter says they'll have another young team next year, but with most of their defense returning, they're poised to make a return to the playoffs and continue growing.