It’s wasn’t the ideal first half of the season for Ben Harvey.
The fourth overall pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft put up nine points in 17 games to start the season, and suited up for Team Canada White at the 2025 U17 World Hockey Challenge in November.
However, his season hit a snag when he picked up a lower body injury, forcing him to miss more than a month of action. He didn’t return to the Raider lineup until Prince Albert’s 6-1 win over the Swift Current Broncos on Jan. 9.
“Obviously, it’s unfortunate,” Harvey said. “It’s not something you want to happen, but able to get back and get back healthy again is nice. The team’s having a great season, which is always fun to be a part of.”
The Edmonton product has dressed for six games since that win over the Broncos, and picked up his first point since returning to the lineup with an assist against Moose Jaw on Tuesday.
Harvey took advantage of a Warrior turnover and bulled his way to the Moose Jaw crease where he flipped the puck on goal. Line mate Connor Howe was there to scoop up the rebound, and give the Raiders a lead they never relinquished.
“He’s great,” Howe said when asked about playing with Harvey. “It’s nice to have another young guy on the team that I can connect a little more with. He’s just a really good hockey player, really good person. It’s fun playing with him.”
While Harvey’s season hasn’t been as injury-free as he’d hoped, the rest has been almost perfect.
The Raiders sit four points clear of the Medicine Hat Tigers for first in the Eastern Conference, and a whopping 21 points clear of the Brandon Wheat Kings for top spot in the East Division.
Harvey said recent acquisitions like forward Braeden Cootes have not only helped the team win games, it’s helped with his development as a player.
“You always want to be a part of a winning team, surrounded by great players and great people,” Harvey said. “We got Cootes at the deadline, and being able to watch him every day, it’s something to look up to.”
Raiders and Blades set for first meeting in Prince Albert since opening night
A lot has changed in four months.
On Sept. 19, the Saskatoon Blades invaded the Art Hauser Centre for the first of eight meetings with the Prince Albert Raiders this season. The Raiders sent their fans home happy with a 4-2 victory, but a lot of the faces that made that win possible have moved on.
Ty Meunier? He scored the game winner that night, but was traded to the Calgary Hitmen in December.
Oli Chenier? He iced the victory with an empty netter, but was dealt to Lethbridge in January.
Jackson Kostiuk had an assist on Chenier’s late third period goal. He’s currently lighting up the MJHL, where he has 12 points in eight games with the Steinbach Pistons.
Tyrone Sobry had an assist on Aiden Oiring’s second period goal that tied the game at one. On Saturday, he’ll suit up for the Prince George Cougars when they take on the Kamloops Blazers.
But while the faces have changed one thing hasn’t: winning. The Raiders have done a lot of it since that first win in September. Saturday’s game marks the first time the Blades will return to the Art Hauser Centre this season, but the expectations haven’t changed: just win.
“I think we’ve just got to play our game,” said Raiders forward Connor Howe, who had an assist the last time the two teams met in Saskatoon on Dec. 14. “Just play fast and not let them get pressure…. It’ll be a fun game against our rivals.”
The Raiders took the first meeting on Sept. 19, but the Blades bounced back for a 3-2 overtime win the next night in Saskatoon. Brayden Dube had both goals for Prince Albert that night. He’s missed the last four games with an undisclosed injury and is listed as day-to-day heading into Saturday’s contest.
It was nearly three months later before the two teams met again in Saskatoon. On that night, Evan Smith broke open a 4-4 third period tie to give Prince Albert the win. Although Dec. 14 was only a month and a half ago, a lot has changed.
Dimitri Fortin earned the win that night by stopping 22 shots in the Raider crease. He’s now a Swift Current Bronco.
Brandon Gorzynski was still a Calgary Hitmen on Dec. 14. The Raiders acquired him the next day. Braeden Cootes wasn’t a Raider yet either. He didn’t arrive until early January.
Forward Ben Harvey missed the entire month of December with an injury, so he wasn’t in the line-up that December night either. He’s back healthy for this weekend’s two game set.
While the personnel have changed, Harvey said the mindset hasn’t. As always, just play Raider hockey.
“Just stick with it,” Harvey said before practice on Thursday. “Obviously, they’re going to give us their best and we need to show up with ours. If we just continue to stick with our game, I think it should be a good one.”
The Blades and Raiders face off at the Art Hauser Centre at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The re-match is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday in Saskatoon.
