The Red Deer Rebels have announced that goaltender Chase Coward will not be attending the club’s training camp this week and will not be on the team’s roster to start the 2022-23 season.

Rebels Owner/President/General Manager Brent Sutter says Coward made the decision not to attend camp due to medical issues.

“Chase underwent testing this summer and discovered a congenital defect to his lower body,” Sutter explained.

“At this time Chase has decided he will not attend training camp or be a part of the Rebels roster to start the season, and we support him as he navigates through the process.”

Coward, who is 19, joined the Rebels as a listed player in November 2019. In 41 career regular season games with the team, the Swift Current, SK native has posted a 2.62 goals-against average, .904 save-percentage, a 24-11-1-2 record and two shutouts. He went 4-4 in eight playoff games in 2022, posting a 2.24 goals-against average, .925 save-percentage, and one shutout.