As he was in the middle of gearing up for the 2018-19 season, Prince Albert Raiders assistant captain Parker Kelly received a text from the team’s business manager Michael Scissons.
“He asked for a picture of my face and I wasn’t totally sure what that was all about,” Kelly said.
It turned out that photo would play a key role in the development of a bobblehead of the Ottawa Senators prospect, which will be given to 1,800 fans that give a $2 donation to the Raider Education Fund Saturday when the Red Deer Rebels pay a visit to the Art Hauser Center at 7 p.m.
“It’s pretty cool to have something like that and it’s an opportunity that might not come around again,” Kelly said.
“I think the only bobblehead I have personally is an old Mats Sundin one from when McDonald’s used to sell them, so to have one of my own to put next to that one is pretty neat.”
Among those looking to get a bobblehead are Kelly’s family and friends, who will be making the trip from Camrose, Alta.
“I believe they will be getting some from the team, but I’m not sure they know that yet,” Kelly said.
“I think there’s supposed to be 30 to 40 people coming from back home. Heck, they might even camp outside the rink to get a bobblehead.”
The 19-year-old forward has played a key role in the Raiders 8-1 start to the season, as he sits in a tie for third in team scoring with nine points in eight games.
“Our team has a ton of depth and we have younger guys and older guys contributing at the moment,” Kelly said.
“We’re firing on all cylinders right now and there’s a lot more from where this is coming from.”
Although the team is now ranked second nationally by the Canadian Hockey League, Kelly and the rest of the Raiders are more focused on what lies ahead of them this weekend, which will include a visit to the Saskatoon Blades Sunday at 2 p.m.
“We’re keeping a pretty even keel at the moment as we know things can turn around quickly in this league,” Kelly said.
“We have a winning mentality right now. Losing sucks and we don’t want to taste that.”
WHL Transactions
The struggling Kelowna Rockets added to their roster this week as they brought in 18-year-old forward Michael Farren from the Saskatoon Blades and 20-year-old defender Dalton Gally from the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Farren, who was an undrafted free agent signee by the Blades two years ago, has 57 points in 133 career games and was acquired for a third round pick in 2020.
Gally, who was picked up in exchange for a conditional 10th round pick in 2020, had 21 points in 140 games for the Tigers.
Friday’s lone deal saw the Brandon Wheat Kings move the rights to defenceman Garrett Sambrook to the Swift Current Broncos for a ninth round pick in 2020.
The 18-year-old is currently a member of the MJHL’s Virden Oil Capitals and has three assists in seven games.
Friday’s Scores
- Brandon 5 Moose Jaw 4 (Connor Gutenberg Overtime Winner – Schael Higson – Two Goals and Three Assists)
- Saskatoon 3 Red Deer 2 (Max Gerlach Overtime Winner and Three Goals – Third Career Hat Trick)
- Spokane 4 Swift Current 1 (Isaac Poulter – 44 Saves)
- Regina 3 Kootenay 2 (Max Paddock – 29 Saves)
- Calgary 6 Lethbridge 5 (Mark Kastelic – Two Goals and One Assist)
- Medicine Hat 4 Prince George 1 (Linus Nassen – One Goal and Two Assists)
- Kelowna 3 Tri-City 2 (Conner Bruggen-Cate – Two Assists)
- Vancouver 4 Kamloops 3 (Kaleb Bulych Shootout Winner – Brayden Watts – Two Assists)
- Everett 5 Edmonton 3 (Conner Dewar – Two Goals and Two Assists)
Saturday’s Schedule
- Swift Current vs. Brandon – 6:30 p.m.
- Spokane vs. Moose Jaw – 7 p.m.
- Red Deer vs. Prince Albert – 7 p.m.
- Prince George vs. Lethbridge – 7 p.m.
- Edmonton vs. Seattle – 7 p.m.
- Kootenay vs. Medicine Hat – 7:30 p.m.
- Tri-City vs. Kelowna – 8 p.m.
- Vancouver vs. Victoria – 8 p.m.
- Kamloops vs. Everett – 8 p.m.
