Let’s Remember Some Trades: Western Conference Edition

In Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Herald, I went over the most recent trade the Prince Albert Raiders have made with every Eastern Conference team. Today is part two of Let’s Remember Some Trades as we go over the most recent deal the Raiders have made with everyone in the Western Conference.

U.S. Division

Portland Winterhawks

Raider GM Curtis Hunt and Portland GM Mike Johnston struck a deal on deadline day last season. Prince Albert sent the rights to Ozzy Wiesblatt to the Rose City in exchange for a conditional first round pick in 2025 and a pair of conditional second round picks in 2026.

Wiesblatt never appeared in a game for Portland, remaining with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda, so this trade was a moot point.

Everett Silvertips

The Raiders picked up goaltender Keegan Karki from the Everett Silvertips on Jan. 3, 2020 in exchange for a 2020 fourth round pick. Karki only played three games as a Raider posting a .852 save percentage and a 4.30 Goals Against Average.

Everett selected defenceman Hoyt Stanley with the pick who currently plays for Cornell University, an NCAA Division I program. He never appeared in a WHL game.

Tri-City Americans

The Raiders picked up forward Tanner Gould from Tri-City on Oct. 11, 2022 in exchange for a 2026 seventh round pick. Gould skated in 11 games as a Raider posting zero points and six penalty minutes. He currently plays for the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in the VIJHL

Spokane Chiefs

Prince Albert acquired the services of netminder Donovan Buskey from the Spokane Chiefs on Aug. 31, 2018 in exchange for a 2020 sixth round pick. Buskey played 11 games as a Raider, posting a 9-1-0-0 record, a 3.15 Goals Against Average and a .870 save percentage.

With the draft pick, Spokane selected defenceman Kyle Federico who has not played a game in the WHL.

Seattle Thunderbirds

The Raiders and Thunderbirds last came to a trade agreement earlier this season. On Sept. 28, 2023, Owen Boucher, along with a sixth-round pick in 2025 were sent to the Pacific Northwest in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2027.

B.C. Division

Prince George Cougars

On Sept. 12, 2019, the Prince Albert Raiders traded forward Davin Griffin to the Prince George Cougars in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick. Griffin appeared in 45 games with the Cougars and registered two points. It appears the conditions on the pick were not met.

Victoria Royals

The Prince Albert Raiders acquired the services of defencemen Remy Aquilon back on Sept. 11, 2019 in exchange for a seventh round pick in 2020.

In 142 career games as a Raider, Aquilon tallied 49 points. He is currently suiting up for the Mount Royal University Cougars in USPORTS.

Through a series of trades, the pick ended up in the possession of the Spokane Chiefs who selected forward Nolan Kelly, who currently plays for the KIJHL’s North Okanagan Knights. He has not played a WHL game.

Kelowna Rockets

It was a relatively minor move the last time the Raiders and Rockets came to terms on a deal. On Sept. 14, 2023, the Raiders traded a 2024 sixth round pick to Kelowna in exchange for a 2025 sixth round pick.

Vancouver Giants

The Raiders acquired the services of Brayden Watts from the Vancouver Giants on Sept. 24, 2019 in exchange for a fifth round pick in 2021.

Watts posted 61 points in 61 games as a Raider before the 2019-20 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pick the Raiders traded was used by the Giants on defenceman Linden Burrett, who has not appeared in a WHL game and plays for the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers.

Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops and Prince Albert agreed to a deal on Dec. 12, 2019 seeing the Raiders acquire goaltender Devan Harrison in exchange for a conditional 10th round pick in 2021.

Harrison never appeared in a game for the Raiders and the conditions on the draft pick were not met.

Wenatchee completes blockbusters with Swift Current, Moose Jaw Thursday.

With the 2023-24 WHL trade deadline less than a week away, the Wenatchee Wild swung a pair of blockbuster trades with Eastern Conference teams.

The Moose Jaw Warriors swooped in to acquire the services of Buffalo Sabres prospect Matthew Savoie. In return, the Wild receive a first, third and sixth round pick in 2024, an eighth round pick in 2025, a second round pick in 2026, along with a first and seventh round pick in 2027.

Savoie has posted 24 points in 11 games in the WHL this season. In 160 career games with the Winnipeg ICE/Wenatchee Wild organization, Savoie posted 84 goals and 132 assists. He was selected ninth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and first overall in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft.

The Swift Current Broncos also swung a deal with Wenatchee acquiring Arizona Coyotes prospect Conor Geekie. In return, Wenatchee receives 17-year-old defenceman Josh Fluker, 17-year-old forward Maddix McCagherty, 18-year-old defenceman Sam Ward, a first and second round pick in 2025, a first round pick in 2026 and a seventh round pick in 2027.

Geekie has posted 49 points in 26 games for the Wild this season. He was drafted 11th overall by Arizona in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. In 186 games for the Winnipeg ICE/Wenatchee Wild, Geekie has posted 219 points.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Showing off skills: 2024 Raider Skills Competition

Nathan Reiter/Daily Herald
Team Green captain Rob Lindsay interviews Justice Christensen during the hardest shot competition.
Nathan Reiter/Daily Herald
Raider captain Eric Johnston participates in the accuracy shooting competition
Nathan Reiter/Daily Herald
Doogan Pederson fires a shot on goal during the accuracy shooting competition
Nathan Reiter/Daily Herald
Goaltender Nathan Preston pulled out the kayak celebration after scoring in the shootout.
Nathan Reiter/Daily Herald
Max Hildebrand exchanged the blocker and glove for a stick and participated in the shootout
Nathan Reiter/Daily Herald
Raider play-by-play broadcaster Nolan Kowal participated in the shootout.

Parkland Ambulance honoured with APCO Canada Teamwork Award

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For the second time this year, the Parkland Ambulance medical communications team is being honored with an award.

In May, alongside the communications team at the RCMP and Provincial Communications, they received the Sask911 Teamwork award. In November, they were recognized with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Canada Teamwork Award for their response to the mass stabbing on James Smith Cree Nation in September 2022.

Lyle Karasiuk, the director of logistics and public affairs for Parkland Ambulance says the communications team on the phone often doesn’t get recognized by the public.

“They’re voices on the phone, but they do an incredible job. Not only do they first take that medical call and start to help the caller, help someone, but they’re also coordinating a whole lot of resources. People won’t realize the work that really goes into an emergency call, for example. It’s not as simple as just you dialing 911 and the folks transferring you to our Medical Communication Center, if that’s where it ends up. They have to triage that call, and they’re not just answering often one call at a time.”

Parkland Ambulance communicators Brooklyn Deichert, Chantel Jantz, Jessica Masserey, and Natasha Cameron made the trip to Calgary to accept the award on behalf of the Parkland communications team.

Karasiuk said the team deserves the accolades for their work year round.

“This event highlights the tragedy that happened out on the James Smith Reserve, but it illustrates the vastness of our Medical Communication Center. Our team could be dealing with a medical issue here in the city of Prince Albert, and not just one at a time, and then having to deal with something that’s happening in Melfort, to something that’s happening in Spiritwood.”
Karasiuk adds the work the communications team does is invaluable.

“For them to be recognized for their hard work is really something quite incredible because they’re really our unsung heroes behind the scenes. We often see our paramedics at the side of a road of a motor vehicle collision, or our paramedics are helping someone in distress medically, or they’re out delivering a baby. Our telecommunication staff, really to the public, are the invisible people.”

The Team Award was one of four honours handed out at the APCO Canada Conference and Trade Show in Calgary. The awards also recognized the Telecommunicator of the Year, the Trainer of the Year, and the Technologist of the Year.

Raider alum Kosior, Sorensen taking advantage of WHL Scholarship program with U of S Huskies

When the Prince Albert Raiders took on the Moose Jaw Warriors at the Art Hauser Centre last Friday, there were a couple of familiar faces in the stands watching.

Landon Kosior and Keaton Sorensen were 20-year-olds with the Raiders last season, but now they are both in Saskatoon on a full-time basis continuing their education at the University of Saskatchewan while taking to the ice with the Huskies men’s hockey program.

Keaton Sorensen enjoyed a career year as a 20-year-old in the WHL with the Raiders last season, posting 53 points in 64 games. He was originally acquired by the Raiders on Aug. 17, 2021, in exchange for a conditional ninth round selection in 2022 (Red Deer selected Cole Connolly with the selection). In 205 career WHL games, Sorenson posted 44 goals and 53 assists.

Sorensen says he enjoyed returning to the Art Hauser Centre as a fan to see some familiar faces.

“It’s awesome to get to see all the old boys. It brings back a lot of memories of my time here and how I enjoyed it. It’s a lot different sitting up in the stands, but it was awesome to see all the guys again.”

Sorensen is pursuing an undergraduate degree in business at USask while also suiting up for the Huskies. In 13 games this season, Sorensen has posted one goal and two assists along with eight penalty minutes.

“It’s almost just like restarting the western league.” Sorensen said about playing in Canada West. “There’s a lot of players that we played against when they were players who were 20 or 19 when I was just entering the WHL. It’s almost like just restarting that, just flipping it around again after finishing the WHL, after aging out, and then all them are back in that league.”

For Landon Kosior, it wasn’t a linear road to USPORTS. He played 19 games this season with the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL to start the season posting two goals and 11 assists in that timeframe.

Kosior was not selected in the WHL Prospects Draft and was listed by Prince Albert prior to the 2019-20 season. In 213 career games, all as a Prince Albert Raider, Kosior posted 44 goals and 91 assists.

Although he was seeing success in the pro ranks, Kosior says he chose to return to school because he can always pursue pro hockey after he receives his education.

“I just thought be a great time to come back and use my scholarship and hopefully I can return to pro after. It’s a great option that the WHL gives us to use that scholarship, so might as well take advantage of it.”

During his time in the ECHL, Kosior says the competition was a significant jump from what he faced playing in the WHL.

“I’d say it was a big step up. You’re making your own pregame meals and you are kind of on your own. No one’s really telling you what to do, so you kind of have to be a pro. It was a big difference. I had a lot of fun there. No bad stories from there. I think I just wanted to use the advantage of my free school while I could.”

According to the WHL website, players are awarded with one year of post-secondary scholarship for every season they play in the WHL. The scholarship covers the costs of tuition, compulsory fees and required textbooks.

Players are able to utilize the scholarship within 18 months of their WHL eligibility expiring, assuming they do not sign an NHL contract.

The Raiders return to action on Friday night when they take on the Moose Jaw Warriors at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Let’s Remember Some Trades: Eastern Conference Edition

With the trade deadline right around the corner in the WHL, I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at the most recent trade the Prince Albert Raiders have made with every Eastern Conference club. I will also name some notable trades Raider fans may remember that are still paying dividends for either of the club’s involved.

Central Division:

Edmonton Oil Kings:

The most recent deal the Raiders and Oil Kings have agreed to was earlier this season when the Raiders acquired the services of 20-year-old defenceman Jacob Hoffrogge on Oct. 7, 2023 in exchange for a conditional sixth round pick in 2025. Hoffrogge has posted six points in 29 games as a Raider since the trade.

The elephant in the room that needs to be brought up when discussing deals between the Raiders and Oil Kings is the Kaiden Guhle trade back on Dec. 1, 2021.

Prince Albert sent Guhle to the eventual WHL champions in exchange for forward Carson Latimer, current Raider captain Eric Johnston, a 2021 first round pick (which was used on Cole Peardon), a 2023 first round pick (used on Daxon Rudolph), a 2022 sixth round pick (which was originally sent to Edmonton in 2019 for Boston Bilous, Ethan Bibeau was the selection with the pick) and a conditional third round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.

Lethbridge Hurricanes:

The Raiders have most recently made a trade with the team in the Windy City on New Year’s Eve in 2021. Prince Albert acquired then 19-year-old rearguard Trevor Thurston and a 2023 sixth round pick in exchange for forward Tyson Laventure and defenceman Ross Stanley.

Thurston would suit up in 28 games as a Raider, including playoffs, posting five points.

Red Deer Rebels:

The offseason addition of Chase Coward was the most recent deal between Prince Albert and Red Deer. The trade occurred on Aug. 23 2023 and saw the Raiders receive Coward in exchange in return for a 2024 fifth round pick.

Coward appeared in 16 games as a Raider, posting a 3.52 Goals Against Average and a .882 save percentage. He was recently reassigned by the club.

Carter Anderson was another recent addition from the Red Deer Rebels. Anderson was acquired on Oct. 11, 2022 in exchange for defenceman Tayem Gislason and a conditional 2024 fifth round pick.

Anderson recorded 20 points in 59 career games as a Raider. He was reassigned to the SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers earlier this season and has posted 37 points in 22 games in the SJHL.

Medicine Hat Tigers:

It was a relatively minor deal the last time Curtis Hunt and Willie Desjardins organized the trade. Prince Albert received goaltender James Venne in exchange for a 2023 eighth round draft pick.

Venne has not appeared in a game for the Raiders and has posted a 18-6-2 record and a .910 save percentage for the SJHL’s Melfort Mustangs this season.

Calgary Hitmen:

The last trade between the Calgary Hitmen and Prince Albert Raiders came on deadline day in 2019.

Prince Albert sent the rights to forward Quinn Olson, along with a sixth round pick to Calgary in exchange for forward Bryce Bader and a sixth round pick.

Neither player involved in the deal made an appearance for their new club.

East Division

Brandon Wheat Kings.

You don’t have to go back through the archives to find the most recent trade between the Raiders and Wheat Kings

17-year-old defenceman Seth Tansem was traded to Brandon on Oct. 11, 2023 in return for a 2025 fourth round pick.

Tansem has posted two points in 21 games in Brandon since the trade.

Regina Pats

The last deal between these two division rivals came on Jan. 10, 2022. The Raiders sent forward Logan Linklater to Regina in exchange for a 2023 eighth round pick.

Linklater posted three points in 40 games as a Regina Pat and is currently playing as a 20-year-old with the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers. The Raiders used the pick they acquired on Darius Hordal, who is only 15 and yet to appear in the WHL.

Another major trade to highlight between these two teams occurred on Oct. 12, 2021. Prince Albert acquired the services of Sloan Stanick in exchange for defenceman Adam McNutt.

In 177 games as a Raider since the trade, Stanick has posted 153 points.

McNutt appeared in 51 games as a Pat before being traded to Swift Current last season. He currently plays for the SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers.

Moose Jaw Warriors

It’s been nearly four years to the date since the Warriors and Raiders have made a trade.

Prince Albert sent goaltender Boston Bilous to Moose Jaw in exchange for a 2020 fifth round pick and a 2021 seventh round pick.

The 2020 fifth round pick was used on forward Zachary Wilson, who played 60 games with the Raiders, posting seven points. The 2021 seventh round selection was used on defenceman Owen Wallace, who has not appeared in a WHL game.

Winnipeg ICE

The Winnipeg ICE were searching for more firepower for their championship run on New Year’s Eve 2022 and were able to make a deal with the Raiders. Prince Albert sent Carson Latimer to Winnipeg in return for forward Aidan Oiring, a 2024 third round pick and a 2025 third round pick.

After the trade, Latimer posted 12 points in 22 regular season games. He posted six points in 14 playoffs games for the ICE. He was dealt again to the Red Deer Rebels this past offseason.

Since the deal, Oiring has posted 48 points in 67 games as a Raider.

Winnipeg has since relocated to become the Wenatchee Wild.

Saskatoon Blades

You have to go back nearly a decade to find the last trade between the Highway 11 archrivals. On January 8, 2014, The Blades sent their captain Graeme Craig, a 2014 seventh round pick and a 2016 fifth round pick to Hockeytown North, In return, the Raiders sent MacKenzie Johnson, Tyler Dea as well as a 2015 third and fifth round pick to Saskatoon.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Raiders falter on home ice in loss to Warriors

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The Prince Albert Raiders took to the ice for the first time following the Christmas break, but couldn’t pull out a victory falling 2-1 to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday night.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt said he didn’t see enough drive out of Prince Albert in the loss.

“I think we had too many passengers here tonight. I thought we had guys that cheated in some areas. First period I don’t have a problem with. But when it’s 1-0 and you need to build on, you need to score. We needed to score and generate some more real good quality opportunities but when there’s battles and when there’s a little bit of adversity, you can’t cheat on things. And I thought some of our guys cheated in some areas here tonight which opened up things for them. 2-1, we tried to battle back. We didn’t get it done because we just didn’t score. But we needed a lot more push from a lot more guys. “

Easton Kovacs would open the scoring for the Raiders at the 19:13 mark of the first period. 

The 19-year-old defenceman would rifle a shot from just inside the blue line past Warrior netminder Jackson Unger for his fourth goal of the season. Niall Crocker provided the helper on the play.

Shots favored the Raiders 10-6 after the opening frame.

Pavel McKenzie would knot up the score at one with his eighth goal of the season at the 5:09 mark of the second period.

The 18-year-old forward would pick a corner on a wrist shot. Atley Calvert had the lone assist on the play.

Brayden Schuurman would give the Warriors the lead with his 10th goal of the season at the 13:10 mark of the middle frame. Ethan Semeniuk had the lone helper.

Shots favored the Warriors 22-18 after forty minutes of play.

The Raiders would attempt to push back and find the equalizer, but they couldn’t solve Warrior netminder Jackson Unger who made 25 saves in the victory. Max Hildebrand made 23 stops for the Raiders.

Moose Jaw was missing three of their top players in Denton Mateychuk, Brayden Yager and Jagger Firkus who are away with Team Canada at World Juniors in Sweden.

Truitt says the fact Moose Jaw is missing three key contributors does not affect the way the Raiders play.

“We’ve got guys out of the lineup as well that certainly help us. They’ve got three of their big guns out. It doesn’t matter if they’re in or they’re out. You got to find a way to win.”

The Raiders will travel to Moose Jaw for their first game in 2024 on Friday night. Puck drops at 7 p.m. 

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Mintos fall in opening game of Circle K Classic

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Nathan Reiter, Daily Herald

The Prince Albert Mintos gave it their all but couldn’t start their Circle K Classic journey with a victory, falling 6-4 to the Calgary NW Flames on Wednesday.

Minto head coach Tim Leonard says he was proud of the way his team played, despite facing a multi goal deficit early in the game.

“We played a pretty good game. Their structure was pretty good. Our energy was good. We got down a little bit. Probably a couple Holty (Brady Holtvogt) wishes he could have had back. But that happens. We didn’t quit. We pushed it to the end and made it tight. Pulled the goalie and rung off the goal post and then they come down and scored an empty netter.”

Carson Cull would open the scoring for Calgary at the 7:30 mark of the first period with his first of the tournament. Caleb Therres and Tiernan Laverty provided helpers.

Kelowna Rocket prospect Owen Folstrom doubled the Calgary lead at the 11:37 mark with his first of the tournament. Chase Pilling and James Kilfoil assisted on the play.

After a double minor against Calgary’s Ryder Dembo at the end of the first period, the Minto power play would go to word at the start of the second period.

Kamloops Blazer prospect Teigan Semchyshen would rifle home his first of the tournament on the power play just 1:13 into the Middle frame to cut the Minto deficit to 2-1. Carter Bergen and Owen Nelson assisted on the play.

James Kilfoil would record his second point of the hockey game with a goal at the 16:41 mark to restore the two-goal advantage for Calgary. Jack McHarg and Clayton Nesbitt assisted on the play.

The Mintos and Flames would combine for six goals in the third period.

An unassisted goal from Ryder Dembo would give Calgary a three-goal lead at the 5:06 mark.

Owen Nelson would pull the Mintos back within two at the 7:52 mark. Simon Garchinski and Teigan Semchyshen assisted on the goal.

A power play goal from Luke Wong at the 13:49 mark would send the Calgary lead back to three. Matthew Balderston and Aleksander Debroja assisted.

The Mintos would then strike for a pair of power play goals within twenty seconds of each other to bring the deficit to only one.

Owen Dyck would strike at the 15:50 mark. Carter Cole and Abinet Klassen had the assists.

Taite Donkin would cut the deficit to just a single goal at the 16:10 mark with his first of the tournament. Kale Margolis and Owen Nelson assisted on the play.

“We just made good decisions.” Leonard said about the Minto power play. “We made really good decisions with pucks. We moved it quickly, found the open guy and we hit our spots. We had a good net front presence. And like I said, we zipped it around pretty good. It’s good to see. It faltered a bit back home for a bit, but it was pretty good.”

Calgary would seal the win with an empty net goal from Owen Folstrom at the 19:34 mark of the final frame.

Brady Holtvogt made 18 saves for Prince Albert. Brett O’Halloran made 28 stops for Calgary.

The Mintos were back in action at 6:15 p.m. Mountain Time Thursday against OHA Penticton. Results from the game were not available as of press time. The Mintos will finish out pool play on Friday afternoon when they take on Shattuck-St. Mary’s at 12:45 p.m. Mountain Time.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Raiders reassign Coward, ink Nathan Preston

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The Prince Albert Raiders made a couple of roster moves on Thursday afternoon.

20-year-old netminder Chase Coward was reassigned by the Raiders to a team that has yet to be determined. In 16 games as a Raider, Coward posted a 6-8-0-0 record, a 3.52 Goals Against Average and a .882 save percentage. Coward was acquired by Prince Albert in the offseason in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

The Raiders also announced Thursday that they have signed 18-year-old goaltender Nathan Preston. The Penticton, B.C. product had posted a 12-3-0 record, a 2.47 Goals Against Average and a .920 save percentage with the Princeton Posse of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). Preston has been added to the active roster for the Raiders.

Around The WHL

In other WHL news, three major trades were announced on Wednesday.

The Prince George Cougars have acquired the services of former Prince Albert Minto defenceman Chase Pauls from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

Pauls has registered nine points in 30 games for Lethbridge this season. In 190 career games in the Windy City, Pauls registered 55 points including 18 goals. Pauls was listed by Lethbridge and signed with the Hurricanes in 2019.

The Moose Jaw Warriors bolstered their roster with a deal with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Heading to the Warriors is 18-year-old import defenseman Vojtech Port, 19-year-old forward Rilen Kovacevic and a sixth-round pick in 2024. In return, Edmonton receives 17-year-old import forward Andrej Tomasec, a first round pick in 2025, a conditional 2025 second round pick and a third-round pick in 2026.

Port was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks.

The Oil Kings swung a second major trade Wednesday, acquiring Florida Panthers prospect Gracyn Sawchyn along with the rights to Lukas Sawchyn and Tracen Ashley from the Seattle Thunderbirds.

In return, Seattle receives 19-year-old forward Nathan Pilling, a second and seventh round pick in 2024, a third and fifth rounder pick in 2025, a first round pick in 2026 (which originally belonged to the Thunderbirds and was traded to Edmonton in the Dylan Guenther trade last season) and a pair of conditional selections in 2027.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Late power play goal sinks Raiders in Saskatoon

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The Prince Albert Raiders gave the top team in the Eastern Conference all they could handle, but couldn’t skate away with a victory falling 6-3 to the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday night.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says Prince Albert played better then the scoreboard suggested.

“I thought it was a real good effort by our team. We got behind, but I thought we did a lot of good things. I thought that we moved the puck well. I thought that we created some chances even though the shots on goal in the first period favored them.

Overage forward Easton Armstrong would send the fur flying for the Blade teddy toss at the 17:12 mark of the first period with his 18th goal of the campaign.

Armstrong received a pass from behind the Raider net from Rowan Calvert and beat Max Hildebrand high blocker side. Tyler Parr received credit for the secondary assist on the play.

Egor Sidorov, who entered Wednesday second in the WHL in goals, would double the Blade lead with his 33rd goal of the campaign at the 18:27 mark of the second period. Trevor Wong and Brandon Lisowsky assisted on the play.

Shots favored Saskatoon 18-8 in the opening frame.

Prince Albert would strike back just 1:01 into the second period. Sloan Stanick would pick up a loose rebound and would perform a wraparound for his 14th goal of the season. Harrison Lodewyk and Niall Crocker assisted on the play.

Stanick would pick up his second goal of the contest at the 8:48 mark of the third period. Harrison Lodewyk and Oli Chenier assisted on the play.

The Raiders would take the lead thanks to Hayden Pakkala’s sixth goal of the season at the 10:42 mark. Pakkala would redirect a point shot from Eric Johnston past Evan Gardner to give Prince Albert their first lead of the night. 

Saskatoon would respond less then three minutes later as Tyler Parr would pick up his fourth goal of the season. Easton Armstrong and Ben Saunderson assisted on the play.

After a late penalty against the Raiders, Charlie Wright would strike for the eventual game winner at the 17:51 mark of the third period. Armstrong and Evan Gardner assisted on the play.

Truitt says the Raiders paid for a costly penalty late in the game.

“They had a couple of penalties in the first period, and you almost expected you’re going to have to kill somewhere along the line, but there’s penalties that are hardworking penalties, defending types of penalties, and then there are penalties that can really cost you. Bad penalties usually do, and it did.””

The Blades would add a pair of empty net goals.

Max Hildebrand made 31 saves for the Raiders in goal. Evan Gardner made 29 stops for the Blades.

In four meetings so far this season, the Raiders have been unable to defeat their rival down Highway 11, despite playing a couple solid games against the Blades.

Truitt says the Raiders are a team that take pride in their performance and 

“It’s the pride of our jersey, it’s our identity that our group stays together. They work hard for each other. They do a lot of great things. (Saskatoon’s) got some explosive talent. We’ve got good talent as well. They’re an older group, we’re a younger type of team. Like I say, learning to win takes certain situations to go your own way, and we’re pushing the best that we can. Our guys are playing hard, but we’ve got to get on the winning side of the column here.”

The Raiders return to action when they welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors to the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

sports@paherald.sk.ca

Hildebrand in midst of breakout season in Raider crease

It’s been a career year in the Raider crease for Max Hildebrand.

The 19-year-old netminder is on pace to shatter his career highs in all major statistics at the halfway point of the WHL campaign.

Raider head coach Jeff Truitt says Hildebrand has grown every season since he arrived in Hockeytown North

“I like the improvement from last year. Every year that he’s been here the next year, he’s getting better and better. He puts in a ton of work with Kelly (Guard). He’s an athlete by nature, being a great baseball player. That competitiveness is all around him, he’s a huge competitor. He’s intense. He wants to win. He cares.”

As of the holiday break, Hildebrand has appeared in 20 games for the Raiders posting a record of 11-7-0-1 on the season with a 2.65 Goals Against Average and a .918 save percentage.

Hildebrand sits eighth in the WHL in Goal Against Average, tied for 11th in wins and tied for fourth in save percentage. His 11 wins also tie Hildebrand’s career high in victories, which was set last season.

Hildebrand credits his strong start to the season and his goaltending coach Kelly Guard for his success.

“I think I had a pretty good start to the season and then missed a few weeks with that injury. But I’ve started to get back into things here and starting to feeling good with my game again.”

“I think me, and Kelly Guard have worked a lot on my skating, quickness, reading the play, but I also think my mental game has come a long way since I got to Prince Albert and just having that mindset of being a starter in this league.”

Hildebrand was originally selected by the Raiders in the 13th round of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft 286th overall. He was the second last player to be selected in the 2019 Prospects Draft and the latest pick from the draft class to play a WHL game.

Truitt says Hildebrand brings the right mix of athleticism and competitiveness to the goaltending position.

“Physically, I mean from year one to now, he’s gotten more flexible. He’s understood the pace that this game takes. His reaction is real quick, but the natural athleticism is what separates him and he looks comfortable in there. As an athlete, he’s making saves away from the standard positioning. He controls his rebounds very well. I think his mental focus has always been one of competitiveness and focus. He wants to win, he cares an awful lot about winning and wants to be the difference.”

Hildebrand was a multi-sport athlete growing up, also playing baseball in his hometown of Martensville. Hildebrand says playing baseball helped him become a better goaltender.

“I always believed in being a multi-sport athlete. Playing baseball and stuff was good for anyone, but I think especially as a goalie, catching, hitting, hand-eye coordination and stuff like that. I was a first basemen but I threw left-handed so I caught with my opposite hand then I do in hockey so it’s a little weird but it was good.”

During his time on the diamond, Hildebrand was also a left-handed hitter.

At the holiday break, the Raiders sit with a 17-15-0-2 record and sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference just two points behind the Moose Jaw Warriors who sit in third place.

Hildebrand says the Raiders have a goal of playing with home ice advantage and securing a playoff position.

“It’s going to be a push to get the best playoff spot possible. We want home ice advantage, and we want these fans behind us when we get into the playoffs. So that’s a big goal for us and honestly for me just help this team win and give us a chance every night.”

The Raiders return to action on Dec. 27 when they travel to take on the Saskatoon Blades. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

sports@paherald.sk.ca