Derek Thurston has signed a Western Hockey League (WHL) Standard Player Agreement with the Red Deer Rebels after they selected him in the sixth round, 112th overall at the 2021 WHL Draft.
Thurston is currently in his fourth season in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) with his hometown Delta Hockey Academy. The defenceman joined the program in 2019/20, tallying 9 points in 30 U15 games. He would add one point in three games the following season with the Delta Black U15 Prep team. Last year Thurston’s 36 points led his team in scoring, and were tied for the most among all U16 Prep defenceman as he captured the divisions Top Defenceman Award.
In eight U18 Prep games this season, Thurston has one goal and four assists.