John MacNeil
A most-familiar face in Prince Albert is back in town, trying to crack the Raiders on a full-time basis. Nipawin product Liam Myhre, a 17-year-old defenceman, captained the U18 AAA Prince Albert Mintos last season, which he finished as part of the Raiders’ playoff roster.
Although he has one more year of U18 AAA eligibility remaining, Myhre is expected to make a strong push for a permanent roster spot with the Raiders, whose dressing room is just across the hallway from the Mintos’ home base.
“Liam did play a couple of games for us, so he understands the language,” Hunt said. “He was around for the post-season, so he got to see how the players really take ownership of your team.
“He’s an elite skater. He’s worked tremendously hard. I’ve seen him around the rinks here, as he gets prepared for his season. We’re excited to see how his development is and where he fits within the group, as well.”
Last weekend, Myhre was a willing participant in the Mintos’ training camp, even though they don’t expect him back in their Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League lineup this season.
Raiders’ scouts the three stars
Conducting the largest Raiders’ camp in Hunt’s 12 years as Prince Albert’s general manager, he credited the scouts who do the legwork in finding prospects from Canada, the U.S. and beyond.
“I’ve got three guys, led by Bruno Zarrillo, those three really do a great job of scouting, putting together our bantam lists, and putting together our camp list,” Hunt said.
It’s an ever-evolving task nowadays. With players changing addresses, and leagues, at an unpredictable rate, it’s most important to bring junior-ready prospects to camp.
“You absolutely nailed it there,” Hunt said. “You’re right, because in this new environment, one (reality) is we’ve got 10 or 12 players that aren’t eligible to make our team, that are listed, that we drafted; and then there’s some 16-year-olds that just aren’t quite ready yet. It’s a big jump to play at 16, so we do have to invite some older players and try to fill some of those spots, or give opportunities for players to take spots.”
For returning and prospective Raiders alike, management wants to practise a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately approach to evaluating talent in camp.
“The summer, in junior hockey, is a differentiator, in terms of how the kids grow so much,” Hunt said. “What you thought you knew who a player was, or wasn’t, before summer, couldn’t be (that same player) when we get to September.
“It’s just about their own personal timeline and growth and development. I think we’ve got a terrific camp. I think we’ve got great depth. We’ve got really good players. We have tremendous roster players here.”
