The Prince Albert Raiders have acquired the rights to 1998-born centre Noah Gregor from the Victoria Royals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Gregor, a 2016 fourth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks, split last year between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Victoria Royals, scoring 29 goals and 36 assists in 60 games. He added six goals and six assists in 11 playoff games with Victoria.
The Sharks prospect signed an entry-level deal with the NHL club back in April.
“If he doesn’t come back, the conditions are such that it’s not a big deal,” Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt said when reached by phone Wednesday.
“However, if he comes back, he comes to a really good spot in Prince Albert in terms of team environment, in terms of a development plan, veteran coaches — I think we’re poised to have a pretty good team.”
Gregor has averaged more than a point per game during his 194-game WHL career, putting up 85 goals and 119 assists, to go along with 11 goals and 12 assists in 28 career playoff appearances.
If he were to return for another WHL season, Gregor would count towards one of Prince Albert’s three 20-year-old overagers. Gregor is one of 14 signed centremen on San Jose’s depth chart.
Gregor played one playoff game for the Sharks’ AHL affiliate last year, earning zero points and posting a plus/minus rating of -2.
“He would be a great addition,” Hunt said. “he’s been a point per game guy or better in his career, and he’s got tremendous speed and skill. He can score as well as distribute the puck, and we saw him quite a bit when he was with Moose Jaw and … with Victoria. He’s an all-situation player in our league.”
Any team can carry more than three 20-year-olds up until October 10. Last year, the team carried Simon Stransky on their roster until that point. The Raiders have three returning overagers currently on the roster: forwards Kody MacDonald and Sean Montgomery as well as backup goalie Curtis Meger.
“Noah may or may not come to camp,” Hunt said.
“I spoke to him and told him we can determine that another time. There’s no urgency to make that decision now. His mindset this summer is to play in the National Hockey League, and if not, in the American Hockey League. He’s poised to play pro.
“From our perspective, if he comes back he’ll be a great addition, and if he doesn’t we’ll just carry on.”
