John MacNeil
Daily Herald
After a populous training camp last weekend, the Prince Albert Raiders reduced their pre-season roster numbers substantially this week as the Western Hockey League exhibition schedule kicks into high gear.
The Raiders went from an 81-man camp roster and set their pre-season complement at 31 players — four goaltenders, nine defencemen and 18 forwards.
That group includes 19-year-old goalie Michal Orsulak, who didn’t participate in training camp. The Detroit Red Wings’ draft choice returned to Prince Albert this week after playing in the Five Nations tournament at Finland.
Along with Orsulak, the Raiders’ pre-season roster features 12 other players who were regulars with the WHL finalists last season.
The newcomers still in Prince Albert’s mix include a couple of 20-year-old forwards — Carsyn Dyck and Logan Pickford — bringing considerable WHL experience from other teams.
In WHL exhibition action, Prince Albert hosts the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7 p.m. Friday at the Art Hauser Centre and visits the Saskatoon Blades at the same time Saturday in Warman.
The Raiders’ pre-season roster:
GOAL (4) — Steele Bass, Brady Holtvogt, Chase Kettles and Michal Orsulak.
DEFENCE (9) — Nathan Castonguay, Hubert Clarke, Kade Corbet, Brock Cripps, Darius Hordal, Benett Kelly, Oskars Luks, Tyler McCracken and Liam Myhre.
FORWARD (18) — Riley Boychuk, Owen Corkish, Carsyn Dyck, Brandon Gorzynski, Tate Hanson, Ben Harvey, Connor Howe, Cash Lanigan, Malaki Martin, Maddix McCagherty, Kyle Obobaifo, Logan Pickford, Kai Richards, Alisher Sarkenov, Athens Shingoose, Jonah Sivertson, Evan Smith and Brendyn Van Oene.
