Raiders Rant

Another Draft over here please!

Submitted on May 7, 2012 - 1:29pm

By Drew Wilson paNOW staff

The full impact of last Thursday's WHL Bantam draft on the Raiders won't be known for about four years.

However the prognosis is positive. Raider brass is bullish on first round pick Brendan Guhle, whom they feel has the potential to be an impact player in the WHL. Why else would they go off the board to take the Edmonton area defenseman 3rd overall? Besides, several teams went off the board drafting players much higher than their rankings.

Raiders Rant

Winther and Morrissey "Bronzed" in the Czech Republic

Submitted on April 23, 2012 - 12:29pm

By Drew Wilson paNOW staff

Raiders Mike Winther and Josh Morrissey made definite contributions to Team Canada's Bronze medal effort at the World Under-18 hockey championships.

Raiders Rant

The world stage awaits

Submitted on April 5, 2012 - 10:24am

By Drew Wilson paNOW Staff

Playing for Canada at the World Under-18 Hockey Championships is a great opportunity for Raider winger Mike Winther and underage defenseman Josh Morrissey.

It takes away the competitive disadvantage for Winther heading into this June's NHL draft. Many other early round contenders will have a chance to strut their stuff in front of NHL scouts during their Major Junior playoffs.

Raiders Rant

Subtle changes need to produce significant results

Submitted on March 29, 2012 - 8:31am

By Drew Wilson paNOW.com Staff

Only time will tell if the Prince Albert Raiders board made the right moves.

However merely picking up the one year options on the contracts of G.M. Bruno Campese and Head Coach Steve Young is a clear indication there will be no more tolerance for another season like 2011-12.

Raiders Rant

There is still a lot to play for

Submitted on February 20, 2012 - 9:10am

By Drew Wilson paNOW Staff

The Raiders are officially out of the playoff picture. Their 2011-12 hopes were dashed with Saturday's 6-2 loss in Brandon despite a genuine hard working 60 minute effort which went unrewarded.

There have been flashes of brilliance individually from Mark McNeill's CHL player of the week award to Cole Holowenko's goaltending greatness which sparked a pre-and-post Christmas five game win streak. However the only consistant element all season has been inconsistancy at all positions and in all aspects of the game.

Raiders Rant

Bruno sounds off

Submitted on February 6, 2012 - 7:22am

By Drew Wilson paNOW.com Staff

Raider general manager Bruno Campese couldn't hold it in anymore. Following Friday night's 3-2 loss to Medicine Hat at the Art Hauser Centre, he criticized the officials for an inconsistent night that probably cost his team the game and pushed them closer to a spot out of the post season party.

Raiders Rant

Magic Man Morrissey!!!

Submitted on January 18, 2012 - 10:55am

By Drew Wilson paNOW.com staff

Josh Morrissey was already tabbed a franchise player within moments of being selected in the first round 6th overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2010 Bantam draft.

Raiders Rant

Herrod leaves a lasting legacy

Submitted on January 4, 2012 - 7:52am

By Drew Wilson paNOW Staff

Brandon Herrod is one of my favorite players of all time. The 20-year-old dealt on New Year's Eve to Kamloops never took a shift off in his four-and-a-half-seasons in a Raider uniform.

The Meadow Lake product surprised everyone as a 14 year old winning the fitness testing in his first Raider training camp and impressed on the ice.

Raiders Rant

Raiders not going young, at least not yet.

Submitted on December 29, 2011 - 6:55am

By Drew Wilson paNOW Staff

Raiders coach and general manager Bruno Campese has fired the first salvo leading to the trade deadline with the acquisition of 19-year-old centreman Anthony Bardaro and 18-year old goalie Luke Lee-Knight along with a fifth round draft choice from the Spokane Chiefs. The borderline blockbuster move sees 18-year-old goaltender Eric Williams and struggling 18-year-old winger Todd Fiddler heading to the Chiefs.

Raiders Rant

Co-captains creating memories

Submitted on November 29, 2011 - 11:58am

By Drew Wilson paNOW Staff

Mark McNeill has a legitimate shot at making the Canadian national junior hockey team.

The 18-year-old from Edmonton learned he is one of 41 hopefuls for 22 roster spots in a late Sunday night phone call from Team Canada assistant coach Ryan Huska.

Hockey Canada has been hot and cold on the first round draft choice of the Chicago Blackhawks. To the disbelief of many scouts, the power forward was the last player cut from the world under-18 team in the summer of 2010.