Latest Articles from Jason Kerr

Raiders deal captain Johnston to Swift Current

Jason Kerr
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Raiders deal captain Johnston to Swift Current

One day after swapping defencemen in a blockbuster trade with the Tri-City Americans, the Prince Albert Raiders made another big change to their defensive corps by trading 20-year-old captain Eric Johnston to the Swift Current Broncos.

In exchange, Prince Albert received a third round pick in 2028. Raiders GM Curtis Hunt said liked how Johnston played last season, but the club didn’t have space for another overage player on their roster.

“(He’s) a heart and soul player, just a good Raider, a good person, (and from) a good family,” Hunt said. “Unfortunately we get three 20-year-olds, … and he’s going to be on the outside looking in.

“We were able to facilitate a deal that keeps him in the league, which is fantastic, and gives him an opportunity, I think, on a team that’s had good success last year and is poised to have some success this year. It was tough trading him within the division. It’s not something I like to do, but I think it gives him a great opportunity a little closer to home.”

Johnston was acquired in the Kaiden Guhle trade in 2021, and spent the next two-and-a-half seasons in Prince Albert. Last year he scored five goals and added 17 assists in 67 games after being named the 48th captain in Raiders history.

Hunt said Justice Christensen’s break-out 2023-24 campaign combined with the arrival of German defenceman Norwin Panocha in the Import Draft, and the desire to give more ice time to younger defensive prospects all contributed to the decision to deal Johnston.

“We drafted a 19-year-old import defenceman with experience in the CHL, and with two 17-year-old players (Doogan) Pederson and (Tyrone) Sobrey coming back with a year under their belt, I felt we were in a good spot on the back end to welcome younger prospects like Daxon Rudolph,” Hunt said. “We can really give him some good support.”

Johnston joins a Bronco team that finished first in the Central Division with 86 points and swept the Lethbridge Hurricanes in round one before losing in five games to the eventual WHL champion Moose Jaw Warriors.

Broncos GM Chad Leslie said in a press release they were happy to acquire him.

“Eric is an intelligent, puck moving defenceman,” Leslie said. “He has high character and leadership qualities that will benefit our young defence.”

The Raiders open the regular season at home against the Regina Pats on Friday, Sept. 20. Their first preseason game is on Wednesday, Sept. 4 against the Saskatoon Blades in Prince Albert.

Raiders add scoring punch in blockbuster trade with Tri-City

Jason Kerr
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Raiders add scoring punch in blockbuster trade with Tri-City

The Prince Albert Raiders boosted their goal-scoring capabilities by acquiring 19-year-old defenceman Lukas Dragicevic from the Tri-City Americans on Wednesday.

The Raiders acquired Dragicevic, goaltender Eric Kahl, and a 2025 seventh round pick from the Americans in exchange for defenceman Terrell Goldsmith, forward Grady Martin, goaltender Nathan Preston and a 2025 third round pick.

“He’s a big kid,” Raiders GM Curtis Hunt said of Dragicevic. “He’s a second round NHL pick. He’s an all-situation player. He’s got experience with Coach (Jeff) Truitt with the under-18 team, and we’re really excited to get to know him and introduce him to the fans in Prince Albert.”

The offensive-minded Dragicevic was picked fourth overall by the Americans in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. He had 14 goals and 36 assists in 66 games last season while serving as an assistant captain.

Hunt said that extra scoring punch was a big factor in their decision.

“We were a team that finished 16th in league scoring,” Hunt said. “If I look at the four teams that played in the final, they were littered with skating, puck-moving defenceman. You almost argue (Denton) Mateychuk dragged Moose Jaw through the playoffs and into the Memorial Cup. I think when you have an opportunity to get a guy who can run your powerplay—he was a 60-point guy last year, which was an off-year for him—you have to.”

Hunt said it was difficult to move the 6’4, 215 pound Goldsmith, who didn’t score as much as Dragicevic, but made his presence felt as a physical, shut-down defenceman.

The Fort St. James, B.C. product had been with the Raiders his entire career after playing 14 games during the bubble season in Regina and earning the club’s rookie of the year award.

“I think our fans identify with that type of hard-nosed hockey and the toughness, so that’s a tough one,” Hunt said when asked about Goldsmith. “He’s been a four-year Raider … so you never want to move those kids. That being said, in order to get quality, you’ve got to give up quality.”

The Raiders and Americans also swapped goaltenders in the deal. The 18-year-old Kahl comes to Prince Albert after spending most of last season in the SJHL where he played 13 games for the Estevan Bruins, Weyburn Red Wings, and La Ronge Ice Wolves. He played two games last season with Tri-City, finishing with a 6.19 GAA and .844 save percentage.

Preston signed with Prince Albert in December 2023 after posting a 2.47 GAA and .920 save percentage in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. He played four games as a Raiders, with a 4.10 GAA and a .853 save percentage.

“The question for us was where did Nathan Preston fit, and with a 20-year-old goaltender returning (and) coming off a fantastic year, it would have been hard for him to be satisfied in that position,” Hunt said. “I think it gives him a great opportunity. I know we’re really appreciative that he came in last year … and I think Eric’s a young goalie. At 18 he’s maybe struggled a little bit to find his way, so this maybe gives him a new focus and direction.”

The Raiders also have goaltenders Cooper Anderson and 16-year-old Steele Bass on their roster. Hunt said they’re anticipating a strong competition for the back-up role in training camp this fall.

Tri-City Americans GM Bob Tory said in a press release they didn’t want to move Dragicevic, but did so after he requested a trade. He said the Americans were happy to get Goldsmith, Martin, and Preston in return.

“Goldsmith is an elite shutdown defenceman who immediately improves our defensive-zone play,” Tory said in a press release. “He makes us a much harder team to play against. Grady is a big power forward who is entering his third WHL season. Nathan is a big goalie who had an excellent season with Princeton in the KIJHL as well as making his WHL debut with the Raiders. He improves our depth at the goaltender position moving into the 2024-25 season.”

Martin had two goals and eight assists in 63 games for the Raiders last season.

The Raiders open the 2024-25 campaign on Friday, Sept. 20 against the Regina Pats. Their first pre-season game is Wednesday, Sept. 4 against the Saskatoon Blades.

Prince Albert family asks thief to return stolen pow wow regalia

Jason Kerr
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Prince Albert family asks thief to return stolen pow wow regalia

Please, just give it back.

That’s the request from a Prince Albert mother whose son lost his pow wow regalia when it was stolen from his truck over the weekend.

Leander Dreavers’ regalia was in a red suitcase with a Canadian maple leaf and a Gathering of Nations 2024 sticker on it when it was stolen while his truck was parked on 10th Street East. Some parts of the regalia belonged to his father, who was also a pow wow dancer, while others, like the beadwork, were created by his mother, Jessica Rabbitskin.

Since the theft, Rabbitskin has taken to social media hoping to find some way to get the regalia back.

“We don’t have any bad energy or vibes to whoever took it,” she said during a phone interview on Tuesday. “We just hope that they have a change of heart and give it back. I hope they understand how much it really means.”

Dreavers’ regalia includes beadwork Rabbitskin created herself. Some of it, she began working on before her son was even born.

She said the theft not only prevents her son from dancing, it prevents people who attend pow wows from enjoying his performances. Rabbitskin said he is extremely upset.

“It really is frustrating and it’s hurtful,” she added. “It’s sad. It’s a like a big part is gone. It’s what he does. His pow wow regalia is what he does. His dance, it’s his culture, it’s his spirit healing, it’s his educational journey, it’s all of it put together. It’s everything to him.”

Dreaver and Rabbitskin are members of Big River First Nation. The community hosted their annual pow wow on Tuesday, and Dreaver originally planned to dance in it.

Rabbitskin said her son is very active on the pow wow circuit, having performed in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. He also participates in sweats, round dances, and other cultural events.

“He has a lot of pow wow family,” she said. “He is respected and looked up to, even though he is only 17 years old.”

Despite the frustration, Rabbitskin is optimistic there will be a happy ending.

“I am hopeful,” she said. “I’m leaving that good vibe out there that somebody will return it in some way, that it won’t be split apart, that it will come back to him all together.”

The Prince Albert Crime Stopper has asked the public to keep an eye out for the regalia. According to the press release, the regalia was in a in a red suitcase when it was stolen from the East Flat part of Prince Albert.

Anyone with information about the theft can call the Prince Albert Police Service at 306-953-2222 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Bigger and better: Prince Albert bison farm welcomes Prince Albert to annual Open Farm Day

Jason Kerr
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Bigger and better: Prince Albert bison farm welcomes Prince Albert to annual Open Farm Day

Becky Johnson originally wasn’t sure how popular an Open Farm Day would be in Prince Albert, but after three successful years there’s no doubt.

Johnson and her husband, Denver, own Bison Ridge Farms northwest of Prince Albert. They welcomed more than 500 guests to their third annual Open Farm Day on July 5. That’s their biggest turnout since their first event in 2018.

Submitted photo.
A group of bison graze at Bison Ridge Farms northwest of Prince Albert.

“We’re ‘jump in and figure it out as we go’ type people,” Johnson said with a laugh. “The first event was successful, so it was like ‘alright, we’ve got to do this again’ and then the next time (we thought) ‘okay, we’ve got to keep it rolling and make it bigger, make it better, get more community involvement from all the things that Prince Albert and our community have to offer.’”

Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
A group of children play on top of some hay bales during the Bison Ridge Farms Open Farm Day. More than 500 people attended the July 5 event northwest of Prince Albert.

The Johnson’s aim to keep Open Farm Day light and fun, but there is a more serious side to it. Attendees can enjoy food and live music, but the tours are the big attraction. Johnson said they give attendees a chance to learn more about how farm animals are raised, while also countering some of the “feedlot” misconceptions about ranching.

“We like our customers to know that they can come here, they can see where we work and live every day, and have confidence that the food that they’re eating is nutritious, ethically sustainably processed and made so that it nourishes their body and the environment around us,” Johnson said.

Two of the big misconceptions, Johnson said, are about hormones and anti-biotics. Part of their tour involves educating attendees about what those words mean, and how it affects the meat.

“The feedlot misconception that every ranch is the same, of course, we know that is a false statement,” she said. “Every ranch is different. Every farm does things slightly different. Some better, some maybe not so good, and so we want people to just know exactly what we do. From the Instagram life to the reality life, that there’s no change.”

The July 5 event featured music from The Project, and Wade and Chord Fehr, plus pro truck viewing, food trucks, a cookout, and hot box saunas, among other activities. Many of those activities were created and organized by local community groups or businesses.

Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
Prince Albert band The Project performs during the Bison Ridge Farms Open Farm Day.

Johnson said they wanted to boost those local groups and businesses, and inviting them to Open Farm Day is an effective way to do it.


“There’s so much here. It’s just allowing people to come and showcase what they do best and introduce that to the community,” Johnson said.

@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca

Band in the Park set for Prince Albert return

Jason Kerr
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Band in the Park set for Prince Albert return

After a successful first run in 2021, the Saskatchewan Band Association is bringing Band in the Park back to Prince Albert in 2024.

The community music project started as a way to get musicians playing together again after performances and practice sessions where cancelled due to COVID-19. Sask. Band Association CEO Suzanne Gorman said the event was extremely popular, so they decided to keep running it every year.

“Everybody kept coming out and now we have an entire group of die-hard Band in the Park fans (and) musicians who come out every summer,” Gorman said. “I think if I said we weren’t going to do it they would be very upset.

“They’ve really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the camaraderie, and the opportunity to play with different musicians, not just the ones that are in your normal band.”

Although other Saskatchewan cities have hosted Band in the Park on a regular basis, this will be only the second time in Prince Albert.

Gorman said they rely on a local band leader agreeing to be Band in the Park director. This year, Lauren Lohneis said she would direct the group, something Gorman said they are thankful for.


The evening is a casual and laid-back atmosphere where musicians are allowed to come and go as they have time. Gorman said the performance usually resembles a drop-in session, which gives residents an opportunity to see how bands prepare for a live performance.

“The first time they play a song it may not sound that great because that group of people have not played together. Then they’ll play it again or they’ll play a portion of it and practice it a bit … and it sounds so much better. It allows the public to actually hear what it’s like for a band to work on a song together and how quickly they learn to listen to each other and develop into what you would hear in a concert.”

For the Sask. Band Association, it’s a great way to introduce, or sometimes re-introduce, residents to band music. Gorman said there are always musicians who play in a high school band, but pack their instruments away after graduating. She’s hoping Band in the Park will help these musicians realize lots of Saskatchewan communities have concert bands looking for new members.

“We have lots of people that will see Band in the Park that didn’t even know these community bands existed,” she explained. “They’ll hear it and are then excited to find out there are these great opportunities for family friendly music throughout the year.”

Education is another benefit, Gorman said. Because Band in the Park is open to anyone, there’s always an opportunity for senior musicians to mentor younger students.

“When you go to Band in the Park you’ll see all ages and levels and they group by instrument and they help each other out and they support each other, and so it’s been really nice to see that sort of all ages of band playing together.”

Band in the Park begins at 7 p.m. at the Kinsmen Park Amphitheatre on Tuesday, July 23. The evening is open to band musicians of all ages and abilities. Participants are required to bring their own chairs and sheet music.

The event is free. The register and download the music, visit saskband.org.

@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca

Saskatchewan ceramics artists draws on musical background for newest Mann Art Gallery exhibit

Jason Kerr
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Saskatchewan ceramics artists draws on musical background for newest Mann Art Gallery exhibit

Wherever he travels, Rob Froese is always happy to be back at the Mann Art Gallery.

The internationally celebrated ceramics artist officially opened ‘Tone Poems’, his third show at the Prince Albert gallery, on Thursday. Froese said Prince Albert is fortunate to have such a great space for artists to come together.

“It’s quite a remarkable place and it’s shown some really good work,” Froese said. “It’s a really important venue here and I just hope people support it…. We need art in life. We don’t exist without it. Our lives are full of design, and design usually comes from innovations in art, so it’s important to have a good gallery.”

‘Tone Poems’ features a dozen of Froese’s pieces from 2018 to the present. They draw on Froese’s musical side, with cups, plates, vase forms, and wall works assembled to create musical notes and jazz compositions.

Froese began thinking about the project roughly eight years ago during graduate studies in Calgary. He wanted to create something that combined his piano studies with his work in ceramics.

“I just needed something new, and this was a good chance to just wipe the slate clean and start with new ideas,” Froese explained.

“(It’s) very quick, direct movements, making resolutions, like you do in music.”

The exhibits are spread out over four movable walls in the main exhibit hall. There is also a prelude series featuring pieces from the Mann Gallery Collection that echo the musical themes present in ‘Tone Poems’.

Froese selected the pieces in conversation with Mann Art Gallery artistic director Rebecca La Marre. They focused on artists who made important contributions to Saskatchewan arts, but had fewer opportunities to exhibit their work in a gallery.

Froese described the creation process as “exhausting, but very enjoyable.”

“It’s a lot of work that I enjoy, but it pushes me,” he said. “It’s good to get to … your physical limits. Physically, it’s a lot to make the work in the first place, but then to bring it all in, it’s kind of like having a bunch of notes to play with, but then each gallery’s setting is different.”

Froese began training in pottery at the University of Regina in the 1980s, where he learned from national and international award winning ceramics artist Jack Sures. Froese then apprenticed in Japan for 15 years before returning to Canada.

He said clay is a medium with endless possibilities, and that’s what’s kept him working with it for years.

“It’s so elemental,” he said. “It’s been with us forever. We all hear about ancient civilizations who are known through what’s left of their ceramic work. Nothing’s really changed in 10,000 years in terms of spinning clay on a wheel, making pots, and yet there’s endless possibilities from the material.”

‘Tone Poems’ runs from July 11 to Oct. 18 at the Mann Art Gallery in Prince Albert.

Group B preview: New Zealand aims high, Singapore, and Hong Kong China eager to test themselves against the best

Jason Kerr
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Group B preview: New Zealand aims high, Singapore, and Hong Kong China eager to test themselves against the best

New Zealand aims to end medal drought

The most decorated nation in Men’s Softball history is eager to get back on the diamond after a disappointing outing in 2022.

New Zealand had high hopes when they hosted the 2022 World Cup, but finished in eighth place with a 4-4 record. For some countries, that’s a strong outing, but in New Zealand, where the men’s team has won a record seven World Cups, expectations are a bit higher.

“There’s always expectations from New Zealand,” said shortstop and team captain Cole Evans. “It’s got a rich history in softball. We try not to let that affect us too much. We just go out and play our natural game.

“The players themselves have high expectations, so we’re looking to have one of those top two spots sewn up by the end of the week.”

The 2022 tournament marked the second straight World Cup where New Zealand failed to finish in the top three. To end the medal drought, the Black Sox brought in three-time New Zealand player of the year Thomas Makea as manager.

As a player, Makea won World Cup’s in 1996, 2000, and 2004. Evans said it’s great to have someone in the dugout with that experience and knowledge.

“Obviously, his reputation speaks for itself,” Evans said. “The respect he brings, not only from our team but the country back home, is huge. He just holds a great presence on the diamond, and has an amazing softball mind.”

At the coach’s press conference on Tuesday, Makea said the New Zealand squad is rebuilding, but the future is bright. He said the team has good fundamentals, but mental preparation will be the key to success in Prince Albert.

“(It’s) understanding the little parts of the game that really need to get right,” Makea said. “We’ve got some fantastic ball players. We’re just trying to teach them the little things.”

New Zealand enters the tournament with more than a few players who competed at the 2018 Junior Softball World Cup in Prince Albert. Evans wasn’t on that squad, but heard plenty of positives about Prince Albert from those who were.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “(It’s) personally, my first-time here and I’ve been super impressed with the facilities. I know a few of the guys where here in 2018 at the Junior World Cup and they spoke highly about it. What they spoke about is ‘it’s proven, it’s a really nice facility.’ We’re really excited to get started.”

Singapore ready to face the heat in Prince Albert

After just missing out on World Cup group qualification four years ago, Singapore Team Captain and 1B Say Kian Foo relishes being here in 2024.

Singapore finished second in the 2024 Asian qualifiers to earn a spot in Group B. Foo said it’s an exciting opportunity for a country making just its fourth appearance in World Cup group play.

“We’re actually very fortunate and very excited to be here,” Foo said. “Hopefully we manage to have a better showing in one of the rare chances we get to play in a World Cup. This doesn’t happen to us regularly, so we will cherish every chance we have to play out here.”

Singapore lost just twice in the Asia qualifiers—both times to Japan. Their best finish came in 1972 when they finished ninth out of a 10 team tournament.

During the coaches press conference on Tuesday, head coach Ruo Jie Koh said they have a roster filled with players who represented Singapore at the 2014 U19 World Cup and again in Whitehorse at the 2017 World Softball Championships. He said those players are eager to test themselves on the world stage.

“Now, they are here in Canada again hoping to show what they have gained over the years,” Koh said. “Being in group B with three pervious world champions is a tough group. We hope to make it (to) a playoff and from there we will take it game by game and hopefully get tickets to the World Cup.”

If Singapore has one advantage in Prince Albert, it might be the weather. Environment Canada has a heat warning in effect for Prince Albert, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 32 C on Wednesday and Thursday. For Foo and team Singapore, however, it’s nothing new.

“I understand that you guys have a heatwave here yesterday and past few days, but it’s nothing compared to the weather we have back home,” he said. “I think we are all just enjoying the moment.”

Hong Kong China looking to gain experience on world stage

At 24th in the world, Hong Kong China is the lowest ranked team headed into Group B play, but CF and Team Captain Corey Ng isn’t worried.

The squad was awarded the wildcard spot in Group B after losing to the Phillipines in the Bronze Medal game at the Asian Qualifiers. This will be the country’s fifth appearance at the World Cup group stage, and Ng is enjoying every minute of it.

“It’s an honour and we’re excited to be here,” Ng said. “We’re looking for a good tournament and for some good games.”

Ng said strong defence and timely hitting will be key to the team’s success.

Hong Kong China’s best finish came in 1972 when they placed 10th. Their other four World Cop Group Stage appearances resulted in 15th (1988, 2004) and 16th (1992, 2017) place finishes.

Head coach Jacob Pang said his team is excited to be back in the group stage facing the best softball players in the world.

“We put out the effort, (and) training, and then we put every player in their best condition to come here,” he said during the coach’s press conference on Tuesday. “We hope to see our best Hong Kong China team.”

Other team previews: Canada, Argentina, Israel

–with files from Nathan Reiter/Daily Herald

‘There’s still a lot of emotion’: PAGC Women’s Commission honours the late Shirley Henderson

Jason Kerr
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‘There’s still a lot of emotion’: PAGC Women’s Commission honours the late Shirley Henderson

Prince Albert residents gathered at the river bank on Wednesday for the annual PAGC walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), but for the first time in its history, Shirley Henderson wasn’t a part of it.

Henderson, the longtime PAGC Women’s Commission chair, passed away on Dec. 29, 2023. On Wednesday, the remaining women’s commission members held a short ceremony in Henderson’s honour before attendees began the walk to Kinsmen Park.

New PAGC women’s commission chair Anita Parenteau said the sorrow over Henderson’s death is still fresh.

“There’s still a lot emotions,” Parenteau explained. “Everyone felt like they were looking for her. She was always there.”

The Prince Albert’s annual Walk for MMIWG was just one area where Henderson helped. She also played a major role in getting the Sisters in Spirit Monument installed on the river bank, and helped domestic violence victims by spearheading efforts for a new women’s shelter in Montreal Lake.

Parenteau described Henderson as someone who was always ready to get involved.

“For the past 20 years, she was the one who was running things, doing the walk, preparing, and everything,” Parenteau explained.

“She did a lot of things.”

Wednesday’s ceremony included comments from a variety of dignitaries such as PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte and FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. Families and friends of local women and girls who have gone missing were also in attendance.

Parenteau said it’s good to see so much attention placed on local missing persons cases, especially since it’s not an easy issue for families to talk about.

“We were trying to get some of the families to come up and speak, but it’s not easy to speak about your situation,” she explained. “We did have one family come up and speak about it. They still haven’t found out who murdered their daughter. Those kind of situations, it’s the justice system that needs to step up.”

Parenteau said the issue is getting more attention, and that’s led to some improvements, like the creation of a PAGC search and rescue team. However, she added, there is frustration among families who would like more transparency.

“There’s slowly little things happening, but there could be more,” Parenteau said.

“We just want to let the families know that there is a support system out there for them to come to us if they need to,” she added. “We can try and help them as best as we can.”

Statistics Canada reports 490 Indigenous women and girls were murdered between 2009 and 2021. The rate of homicide against Indigenous women and girls varied from year to year, but was always higher than the rate of homicide against non-Indigenous women and girls.

Stats Canada also reported that Indigenous women were more likely to experience physical and sexual abuse before they turned 15.

The National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains reports that as of 2023, Saskatchewan has the highest number of missing children/youth cases per capita, and the second highest per capita number of missing adult cases.

The Centre reports that 12 per cent of all adults missing in Canada and 23 per cent of all children and youth are Indigenous, however, the Centre also notes that ethnicity is under-reported. For example, 24 per cent of adult missing persons cases were described as “non-white” while 13 per cent contained no mention of biological affinity.

Roughly 33 per cent of adult missing person cases were solved within 24 hours, while 72 per cent were solved within a week. For children and youths, the number was 56 per cent and 90 per cent respectively.

Raiders pick German defenceman Panocha in CHL Import Draft

Jason Kerr
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Raiders pick German defenceman Panocha in CHL Import Draft

The Prince Albert Raiders added some size to their defence corps, drafting 6’2 192-pound defenceman Norwin Panocha with the 26th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft on Wednesday.

The German rearguard was a seventh round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2023. He spent last season with the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Sagueneens and also represented Germany at the World Juniors, where he scored one goal in five games.

Prince Albert Raiders GM Curtis Hunt said Panocha is the type of player who can step in and help a young team.

“We think we’ve got good depth on our d-corps right now,” Hunt said in an interview after the draft. “We believe we’ve got some young players who can come in and push for spots that need some support and we think Norwin can help that process as well as hopefully advance his career as he chases his NHL opportunity.”

Panocha had 15 assists in 52 games last season with Chicoutimi, plus one assist in eight playoff games. The Sagueneens released him on Tuesday, Le Quotidien sports journalist Jonathan Hudon reported, and drafted Kazakhstan’s Kornei Korneyev to replace him on Wednesday.

Hunt said they’ve had success drafting older players like Krzysztof Macias, who had 22 goals for Prince Albert last year, and that convinced them to take another veteran in Panocha.

“We had an opportunity to talk to the Buffalo Sabres developmental group about him, the type of player he is, the type of person he is, and we think he’ll be a good fit,” Hunt said. “We know he can play up and down throughout our lineup. We know he’s a very good skating player. He’s got a big long reach and a good stick.”

Panocha is one of 29 players currently attending Buffalo’s development camp. The camp ends on Thursday.

The Raiders dressed Macias and Czech winger Matej Kubiesa as their imports last season. Kubiesa scored six goals and eight assists in 55 games during the regular season. He had no points in two playoff games.

Macias had 22 goals and 25 points in 65 regular season games, plus one goal in five playoff games. Hunt said they’re hoping to have Macias back in training camp as a 20-year-old.

“We have to make some decisions with our overage players,” Hunt said. “He (Macias) is a guy who came in, scored 22 goals for us, (and) I think we’d like to see him come back and possibly build on that year and make some really tough decisions for us in terms of 20-year-old players.”

The Raiders open the 2024-25 regular season at home against the Regina Pats on Sept. 20.

Draft notes

• Panocha was one of six players selected by WHL teams after being drafted by an NHL club. The others were Kasper Pikkarainen (Red Deer—New Jersey), Veeti Vaisanen (Medicine Hat—Utah), Miroslav Holinka (Edmonton Oil Kings—Toronto), Markus Loponen (Victoria—Winnipeg), and Niilopekka Muhonen (Medicine Hat—Dallas).

• The Val-d’Or Foreurs selected Russian forward Matvei Gridin with the top pick in the import draft. Gridin spent the past season with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, and has committed to the University of Michigan. He was drafted by the Calgary Flames 28th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.

• The Windsor Spitfires drafted 17-year-old Ilya Protas third overall. Ilya spent last season with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL. He is the younger brother of former Prince Albert Raider Alexi Protas.

• The Kamloops Blazers had the highest pick out of any WHL team. They selected Czech winger Vit Zahejsky second overall.

• Panocha is the first German player the Raiders have drafted since 2017 when they selected Dominik Bokk.

Prince Albert turns Kinsmen Park red and white for Canada Day

Jason Kerr
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Prince Albert turns Kinsmen Park red and white for Canada Day

Kinsmen Park was sea of red and white on Monday as Prince Albert residents filled the area to celebrate Canada Day.

The event officially opened at noon with the colour party marching in, followed by remarks from guests and dignitaries.

Prince Albert Northcote MLA Alana Ross was among the guest speakers. She said Canada Day was a great occasion to not only celebrate, but reflect on the freedoms that Canadians have.

“(Those) freedoms were fought for and preserved by people who have worn our nation’s uniform,” Ross told those in attendance. “We are all proud to be Canadian.”

Prince Albert residents enjoy the entertainment during Canada Day celebrations at Kinsmen Park on Monday. — Prince Albert Royal Canadian Legion Facebook photo.

Ross thanked the Prince Albert Royals Canadian Legion for organizing the Kinsmen Park celebration, and quoted former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to celebrate Canada’s strength and diversity.

“He said, ‘I am a Canadian, a free Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship God in my own way, free to stand up for what I think is right, free to oppose what I think is wrong, free to choose those who govern my country,” Ross said.

“In Canada, we are equal in both value and opportunity…. We as Canadians are diverse, and we appreciate our freedoms, our quality of life, and an opportunity to live the life of our choosing.”

Monday’s celebration included food vendors, games and activities for children, face painting, and entertainment from a variety of local artists like Miranda Ironstand-Baxter, Angela Joy Dela Cruz, Kim Villeneuve, Layton Ferster, Blake Kawula, Dave Arsenault, Mick Gratias, Dean Kushneryk, Dennis Adams, and Boyd M.

Music organizer Dennis Adams said it was important to celebrate Canada.

“This Day is to remind us of who we are,” he said in an interview before Canada Day. “Canada is a very diverse country, so we will celebrate our diversity, different ethnic groups, and most importantly remind us that we are one.”

The celebrations continued onto the river bank Monday evening after the party wrapped up in Kinsmen Park. Please see Wednesday’s Daily Herald for more on that story.

–with files from Uko Akpanuko/Daily Herald

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