He never grew up in the city and won’t finish his WHL career with the Raiders, but Prince Albert will always be a special place for Eric Johnston.
Johnston was traded last week by the Raiders to the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for a third round pick in the 2028 WHL Prospects Draft.
“(He’s) a heart and soul player, just a good Raider, a good person, (and from) a good family,” Raider general manager Curtis 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 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.”
It is the second time Johnston has been on the move in his WHL career. The Raiders acquired Johnston back on December 1, 2021 as part of the blockbuster Kaiden Guhle trade.
The Raiders also received Carson Latimer, Kelowna’s 2021 first round pick (used on Cole Peardon), Edmonton’s 2023 first round pick (used on Daxon Rudolph), a 2022 sixth round pick (used on Ethan Bibeau) and a 2025 third round pick in the deal.
Johnston says he feels more comfortable with the trade having gone through the process once before.
“I obviously have a little experience and kind of know what to do with it all. Trying to be confident going into new billets, meeting new teammates and coaches. I’ve been through it once and now twice, so I’ll be ready for it.”
In just over two-and-a-half seasons with the Raiders, Johnston appeared in 173 regular games tallying 10 goals and 36 assists. He added two points in 10 playoff games across 2022 and 2024.
Johnston and the Raiders finished in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 31-32-2-3. Prince Albert lost out in five games in the first round of the playoffs to the Saskatoon Blades.
Johnston says the one thing that stood out the most from his time in Prince Albert was how the community embraced the team.
“To see a community-based team have its community support it as much as the Raiders fans did, it means a lot to us players, The community based stuff we do and just the support we get, I’ll definitely miss it, and PA will be a chapter in my life I won’t forget.”
With the Art Hauser Centre being one of the most intimate venues in the WHL with a steep seating bowl, Johnston says he enjoyed playing in the front of the Raider faithful when the building was full.
“It’s a feeling you don’t get every day. Playing in Rogers (Place) and the Saddledome is great and all, but the atmosphere when they’re on top of you screaming and always on your side, it’s awesome. It’ll be tough on the other side, but it’ll be good.”
Prior to the outset of the 2023-24 season, Johnston was named the 48th captain in Prince Albert Raiders team history. Sloan Stanick and Niall Crocker were named alternates with Justice Christensen joining the leadership group during the season.
“It’s awesome to have my name up with those guys.” Johnston explained. “Guys like Brayden Pachal, Zack Hayes, Kaiden Guhle, Nolan Allan. Just guys I’ve looked up to and I’ve learned from like Reece Vitelli and Evan Herman. They’ve taught me the Raider way and what it takes to be a captain. I can’t take all the credit when I’ve learned so much from just them.”
Johnston joins a Swift Current team that took home a Central Division crown a year ago posting a 40-22-4-2 record. The Broncos lost in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual WHL champion Moose Jaw Warriors.
After the relocation of the Winnipeg ICE to Wenatchee, the Broncos will shift back into the East Division for the 2024-25 season and beyond.
Johnston says he is looking forward to making an impact with a team that experienced success a year ago.
“Swift Current should be a pretty good team, I’m excited and (it) should be a good opportunity for myself going into my last year. Meeting new teammates, billets, coaching staff, making new friends, and all that together, and an opportunity for myself to make a name for myself still. The team should be pretty good and I’m very excited.”
Johnston will make his return to the Art Hauser Centre when the Raiders take on the Swift Current Broncos on Friday, November 1.
The Raider home opener for the 2024-25 season is on Friday, Sept. 20 when they welcome the Regina Pats. Pucks drops at 7 p.m.
-with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
sports@paherald.sk.ca
