Jason Kerr
Daily Herald
The awards keep piling up for Brayden Rieger.
In addition to numerous provincial, regional, and collegiate accolades, Rieger can add Prince Albert Male Athlete of the Year to the list. He’ll be formally recognized at the Kinsmen Club of Prince Albert’s Sportsman Dinner on Oct. 25 along with Female Athlete of the Year Stryker Zablocki, and Sportsman of the Year Ian Litzenberger.
“I was pretty proud,” Rieger said when asked about the award during a phone interview on Friday. “I’ve seen the list (of past winners) and I know some of the guys who have been selected. I was pretty proud of myself for that.”
Rieger was the cornerstone of a dominating Prince Albert Predators squad that went undefeated in Prairie Gold Lacrosse League play. The Predators went 11-0-1 in the regular season, and swept the Moose Jaw Mustangs in the PGLL final.
He led the league in points with 75, despite playing in only 10 of the Predators’ 12 regular season games, and was named PGLL Playoff MVP.
Rieger said the 2025 Predators were a close group, and that contributed to their success.
“I think it comes down to everyone wanting to be there,” he said. “Everyone has the same love for the sport and it’s a great group of guys. There’s no divide in the locker room or anything. Everyone likes each other, and also the coaching has been great the last few years. They encourage us. They help us be the best that we can be.”
After winning the PGLL title, the Predators jetted out to the west coast to defend their MacDonald Cup title. Following a perfect showing in pool play, the Predators advanced to the Gold Medal game where they defeated North Shore 10-8 in overtime. Rieger’s goal was the game winner.
Rieger also led the tournament in goals and points, and was named Top Offensive Player.
“We knew going into B.C. the competition was going to be a lot harder and more competitive, but we had our minds set the whole time,” Rieger said. “I wouldn’t say we knew we were going to win, but we were pretty confident that we were the group that could do it.”
Rieger is back in the U.S. college ranks this fall for his second season with the University of Mount Olive Trojans, a Division II lacrosse program in North Carolina. Rieger had 22 goals and 18 assists as a freshman, and hopes to build on that start in his second year.
“It’s been good,” Rieger said when asked about the college lacrosse experience. “The weather here is a lot warmer than back home. The people here are good. Everyone’s nice here. As for the classes, it’s smaller than say the U of S, so you get that one-on-one with the teacher if you want. Our coaches are good guys. They are there for us if we need.”
The college lacrosse season is just getting underway in North Carolina, so Rieger won’t be able to accept his award in person. The school’s first fall scrimmage is the day after the awards, so flying into Prince Albert isn’t an option, but he’s still grateful for the recognition.
“(After) our championship, It would be right there,” he said. “To be selected for this it’s a really big honour.”
The 16th annual Prince Albert Kinsmen-Raiders Sporstman Dinner will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Ches Leach Lounge in the Art Hauser Centre. The guests speaker is NHL great Wendel Clark. Tickets can be purchased by emailing pakinsmenclub@gmail.com.
Doors open at 5 p.m., with supper at 6 p.m. The program starts at 7:15 p.m.
@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca
