Raider Spring Camp Roster
Goal: Jacob Edwards (6th round 117th overall 2007)
Eric Williams (4th round 71st overall 2008)
Brendan Fiebelkorn (4th round 78th overall 2009)
Defense: Mathew Lamontange (List player)
Connor Sutton (3rd round 51st overall 2009)
Brendan Kennedy (6th round 70th overall 2009)
Sawyer Lange (4th round 75th overall 2009)
Connor Doan (List player)
Mathew Waseylenko (5th round 103 overall 2008)
Forwards: Marcus Basara (Listed player)
Daniel Dale (Listed player)
Marc Mackenzie (Listed player-signed)
Beau Stewart (2nd round 40th overall 2008)
T.J. Constant (Listed player)
Chance Braid (Listed player)
Shayne Danyluk (2nd round 31st overall 2009)
Mike Winther (1st round 6th overall 2009)
Alan Kilback (6th round 119th overall 2009)
Justin Lund (8th round 163rd overall 2009)
The weekend was a combination of fitness testing, team bonding and workshops. Classes dealt with training techniques, nutrition and sports psychology. There were no on ice sessions. Coach and G.M. Bruno Campese says they have already seem everyone play, besides there was no ice available at the Art Hauser Centre. It also split the camp's costs in half (last year there were two days of on ice sessions in Aberdeen).
The weekend was the first exposure to the Raider organization for some. The highest profile newbie is Marcus Basara. He led the Telus Cup Champion Notre Dame Hounds in goals and points during a breakout regular season and came to P.A. with an open mind. Basara says he never considered the WHL until recruited by Raider Player Personel Director Dale Derkatch and a face to face meeting with Campese. Both feel he could step right into the lineup as a 17 year old next season. Marcus says he will wait until after school finishes in two weeks to decide if he will become a Raider or join the two time defending RBC Cup champion Vernon Vipers of the B.C. Hockey League. Basara is a soft spoken but very intelligent young man who has made a meteroric rise up the hockey ladder..obiviously making the most of his first season in Midget AAA.
There are others who will at least challenge for roster spots this fall. Defenseman Mathew Lamontange could break in much like Emerson Hrynyk did last season. The Vancouver area boy is described by Derkatch is a stay at home defenseman with size and strength. Waseylenko will be heading to his third main camp and should also make a strong challenge for a spot on the blueline.
Up front, T.J. Constant carried the momentum of a strong camp last fall into a solid season in Manitoba Junior-A. The former Beardys Blackhawk isn't tall but has a thick body with power to go along with it. Daniel Dale who was Basara's teamate with the Hounds also had a very good main camp last season and should make a strong challenge again because of his work ethic and aggressive style. Winther has at the very least an excellent shot at cracking the lineup and Danyluk is at least a strong candidate to skate on to the ice at the Raider home opener.
In goal, Williams and Edwards will battle for the backup spot to Jamie Tucker. Edwards came to spring camp with a limp but will be ready in August.
All 19 players have been have been told what it will take to become a Raider. We will see how many take notice and come to camp with designs on donning a Raider Jersey in late September.