The Red Deer Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin didn’t want to rush into selecting a captain for the 2008-09 Western Hockey League season.

There were a couple of reasons why.

He wanted to make sure Brandon Sutter wasn’t returning from the Caroline Hurricanes and wanted to see who best fit the profile the coaching staff expects from a team leader.

When it became obvious Sutter was remaining in National Hockey League, Wallin was quick to name 18-year-old defenceman Colin Archer his new captain.

“Coming into the season we didn’t know who that guy would be,” said Wallin. “But with Brandon’s situation and having to wait on what was going to take place with him, it gave us some time to sort it all out. We were able to take a lot of things into account over the course of six or seven weeks. We were able to look at the personnel in the room and look at other players who were possibilities.

“We wanted someone who is a leader in the room now but also here for the long term and have some longevity in that position.

“I think Arch is the perfect candidate. He’s only 18 and in his second year but is a tremendous competitor. He’s one of those guys who is authentic. You get what you see, there’s no fluff. He’s very passionate, wears his heart on his sleeve and brings it to the rink every night. He’s everything we’re looking for in a captain.”

Archer knew earlier in the week he would receive the C.

“I talked with Wally the other day and he said they planned on selecting me the captain and it’s quite an honour and something I’m very excited about,” he said. “I was hoping I’d get it, but there’s a lot of guys in that room who could be captain.”

Now that Archer has a new letter on his chest, he isn’t about to change the way he acts in or out of the dressing room.

“I hope to continue to do what I’ve been doing in leading by example and also being vocal,” he said. “It’s important not to change just because of the letter. In fact I can’t change who I am. I’ll keep leading by example and working hard. Those are qualifies I believe I bring to the team. That’s the way I was brought up.”

Archer was born in Ontario, moving to Red Deer when he was nine. He grew up playing in the Red Deer minor hockey system and was always a team leader.

“I think there were a couple of years when I didn’t wear a letter,” he said. “It’s certainly a different experience at the WHL level. I understand this isn’t the same, but I have some idea of what to expect.”

Archer also believes he’ll get along just fine with the older players.

“I feel a lot of guys respect me and there’s a lot of the older guys I look up to. Age is not a huge factor. I feel values and work ethic is big.”

He learned a lot of that from Sutter.

“Brandon was always vocal and always positive,” he said. “I haven’t been here that long, but I learned a lot from him.”

Archer is one of the few Red Deer minor hockey grads to wear the C for the Rebels.

“The Rebels were my favourite team growing up, so it’s a real honour just being part of the team, plus being the captain.”

Archer’s maturity and understanding of what it takes to be a solid citizen, made him a natural, says Wallin.

“That’s a huge part of it,” said Wallin. “The way he is off the ice carries onto the ice. He’s an exemplary human being in every aspect from his personality to his preparation for the game and the way he takes care of himself. He has a very professional approach to how he goes about his business at the rink and away from the rink.

“One of the very special qualities about him, and one of the greatest things you can say about a hockey player, is that he makes people around him better. It doesn’t matter who he teams up with on defence that individual seems to have a good game.”

Contact Danny Rode at drode@reddeeradvocate.com