Tuesday's trade with Medicine Hat can be looked at several different ways.  First of all it's proof Coach and G.M. Bruno Campese isn't afraid to pull the pin on big deals.  There are several examples including the Matt Roberson deal with Regina two seasons back.  It's also a case of giving a high profile player what he wants.  Ryan Harrison wanted a new start close to his Kelowna B.C. home and is he ever getting one.  The 18 year old Centreman has landed with a solid franchise whose style fits him like a glove.  Medicine Hat (even in the post Willie Desjardins era) will continue to play a fast, high impact offensive style that will allow Harrison to do his thing albeit with an edge proven by close to 250 penalty minutes over two seasons in P.A.  The Tigers also appear headed for big things as Harrison joins the like of Emerson Etem, Wakaw's Linden Vey, Tristan King and Tyler Pitlick who just bolted to Tigertown from the N.C.A.A.  Let's not forget Tyler Bunz is likely to progress into one of the league's top goaltenders..
 
Meanwhile the Raiders welcome the Saskatchewan Midget AAA M.V.P. and scoring champion Todd Fiddler who not only won the points title...he won by a larger margin than Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt at the Olympics.  Fiddler was 19 points ahead of Minto veteran Taylor Fauchoux sniping 44 goals and 49 assists in just 40 games with the Beardys Blackhawks.  The 17 year old also proved he could play on a larger stage posting 3 goals and 2 assists in five games for Team West at the World under 17 challenge.  Fiddler also got a cup of coffee in the SJHL making some playoff appearances with the League champion LaRonge Ice Wolves.  There is no disputing Fiddler's skill, the only question is can he score at the WHL level?
 
As for 18 year old Austin Bourhis...his game can be described in one word....nasty.  In addition to his 7 goals and 14 assists, Bourhis had 139 penalty minutes with the Yorkton Terriers ranking him sixth in the SJHL.  He also will benefit from their playoff run into the SJHL final (He often was paired with former Raider Blaine Tendler).  Campese says new Tiger G.M. Brad McEwan didn't want to part with Bourhis but relented.  Bourhis isn't scared to make himself a target...his huge hack to the back of the ankle of Ice Wolves M.V.P. Dustin Stevenson in the league final is proof.  The acquisition of Bourhis falls in with Campese's pledge at the recent Members meeting that the Raiders would be tougher this coming season.  Bourhis will join the likes of Emerson Hyrnyk, Tyler Yaworski, Brock Balson and Marc McKenzie in that category.
 
With Sebastien Svendson, Mark McNeill, Justin Maylan, Mike Winther and Shayne Danyluk on the depth chart at Centre it likely also made the Harrison deal more palatable.
 
Summertime deals involving Svendson, the Raiders Import pick, and now Harrison things should slow down on the Raider trade front as teams head to training camp.  But P.A. still has five 20 year olds, and two have to go.. so stay tuned.

Hockey people will tell you build from the back end.  Therefore the Prince Albert Raiders hope they have landed the defenseman that will lead them back to the promised land with the signing of Josh Morrissey.

 

The 5' 11" 170 pound rearguard from Calgary has inked a W.H.L. contract and got his first taste of P.A. on Wednesday.

 

Josh, his dad and younger brother made some stops around the city and got a tour of the Art Hauser Centre which Josh says has the best Junior dressing room he has seen.

 

Morrissey was excited to wear the jersey for the first time (number 10 to correspond with his draft year... Josh would like number 7 but expects last year's first rounder Mike Winther to grab it this season).   

 

There is no doubt about his hockey credentials.  Scouts in Edmonton on draft day agreed Morrissey has the skill and savvy to quarterback the power play one day and plays with the type of edge that will make him an unwelcomed sight for opposing forwards in the corners.  Just look at last year's stats for proof (21goals, 28 assists, and 108 pims in 32 games with the Calgary Royals Gold Bantams).

 

Josh takes this type of praise in stride calling it humbling.  He is very comfortable in the spotlight conducting himself like a veteran in front of the cameras and microphones.  Josh Morrissey definitely presents himself with poise and confidence in what must have been an intimidating atmosphere (mind you the P.A. press corps is hardly comparable to the muckraking mob in Montreal).

 

Morrissey wants to play the maximum five games in a Raider uniform next season and you get the impression that's part of Bruno Campese's plan.

 

The Raiders Coach and G.M. was beaming after spending the afternoon with Josh and his family.  He says Morrissey wants to be a player and is confident he will put in the work necessary to make the massive jump from Midget AAA (Calgary Royals) to the W.H.L. as a 16 year old.

 

Morrissey says he chose major junior because he can play in the dub at 16 and it's the most proven route to the N.H.L.   

 

Morrissey's signing comes as preparations continue for the Raiders spring orientation camp which will not include new draftees.  List and drafted players who are 17 and older will descend on the Art Hauser Centre on Friday the 28th.

 

Although Campese says he hasn't run into reluctance from players about joining the organization.  However, there is still the perception that prospects would rather play elsewhere.

 

There is no doubt some players coming for orientation camp are on Bruno's radar screen and the fast signing of one of the "cornerstones" of the franchise will be a definite selling point. 

 

Congratulations to everyone involved in the 900 CKBI/Kinsmen Sports awards banquet in the Ches Leach lounge.

 

Lance Alexander and his Kinsmen crew did an excellent job organizing and executing a tremendous night that went off without a hitch.

 

The lounge was packed, it was a chance to see several people who have departed since the end of the hockey season and it was a chance to meet one of my idols from Leaf lore.

 

Lanny McDonald gave a memorable yet casual performance at the podium and was gracious and friendly while interacting with the many who wanted pictures or just a chat about the old days.

 

It also appears to have been a big night for the bank accounts of the Kinsmen and Raider Education Fund.  Three Lanny McDonald jerseys fetched a total of $18,700.  His Flames jersey with his captain's "C" on the front went for $8,500.  Lanny then offered to get an identical jersey for the second place bidder for the same money, and he agreed.

 

Nathan Deck, Andrew Herle and Brandon Herrod were the returning Raiders in attendance while alumni included Dustin Cameron and Garrett Zemlak who is coming off a successful stint with Charlotte of the E.C.H.L.   

 

It was also a memorable night for award recipients Jayson Clunie, Erica Gavel and Jenn Ferguson who appeared to have more fans in the room than Lanny.

 

On the topic of alumni, Dane Byers is a frequent visitor these days to Four Horsmen Fitness.  Dane says his knee has fully recovered and is looking forward to spending more time in the show this coming season with the New York Rangers.

 

I also bumped into Aki Seitsonen in the gym.  Although he is planning on another season in his native Finland, Aki has some bigger business to attend to.  His wedding next month.   

 

Back on the Raider front...the team has called a News Conference for Wednesday at 4pm to a make major announcement about a player signing.

 

Stay tuned.

The WHL draft is always memorable.  This year's ironically took place the Edmonton's Fantasyland Hotel on a day where hundreds of 14 year old hockey players hope to continue to live out their dreams of playing one day in the NHL.
 
It's a day of anticipation, anxiety, elation and in some cases disappointment. 
 
There was no drama with the first pick overall as the Prince George Cougars reunited the Forsberg brothers by taking Alex who is already being pegged as a bona fide pro prospect.  The first piece of drama unfolded before the Regina Pats first pick, fifth overall.  There had been discussions about flipping picks with the Raiders in exchange for one of P-A's 20 year olds.  However both players that Bruno Campese coveted (his word) were still available so he was guaranteed one of them.  Therefore no trade and after the Pats picked forward Morgan Klimchuck of Calgary, the Raiders took defenseman Josh Morrisey ( also from Calgary) after which if there was sufficient talent at the Raider draft table it would have broken into an instant Micheal Flatley produced version of "Riverdance".
 
Most hockey people will tell you franchises are built from the backline and it was unanimous from many in the packed ballroom the Raiders have a defenseman with the potential of being a player you can build around.  Many had Morrison rated as the best defenseman available while others felt Winnipeg's Madison Bowey was the top rearguard.  However there appears to be some question as to whether Bowey will go the NCAA route.  He has apperently already (at age 15) recieved a full ride scholarship offer from North Dakota.  Kelowna rolled the dice by trading up to take Bowey with the first pick of the second round (23rd overall).


 
There was also a buzz about P-A's third round pick.  After Director of Player Personel Dale Derkatch called the name "Micheal Loronge" the immediate response from Kamloops Radio reporter Rick "the bear" Wile who has been around the league much longer than many of us now in our "fibre" years was... "good pick".  That was followed by a couple of conversations in the mens room (a place where you hear a lot of good stuff... which leaves me to wonder..do ladies also give up great information in thier facilities?).  The mens room dialogue on the 25 goal scorer out of Winnipeg was he not only plays with an edge, he is downright nasty.  One official from another team said Loronge is a prototypical Raider of the mid 80's when as a player this official knew he was going to get a licking every time he stepped on to Communiplex (now the Art Hauser Centre) ice.   
 
It was good to see the Raiders pick another P-A boy.  Goalie Tarayn Phenauf was taken in the fifth round on the heels of last year's selection of Sawyer Lange in the fourth round.  Derkatch also spoke highly of another Saskatchewan boy, E. J. Pfiefer, a North Battleford defenseman selected with their final pick of the day in the 12th round.   The Raiders also went to Brandon Herrod's home town of Meadow Lake to take Reagan Yew, a player who they also hope will develop into a WHL power forward.  He was an 8th round choice.
 
The Raiders point to fellow 8th round pick Arvin Atwal of North Delta B.C. (near Vancouver) as thier big steal of the draft.  Derkatch says he couldn't believe the good skating defenseman who was a captain of his team was still available 170th overall.
 
Players like Morrisey are still a full season away from playing full time in the WHL while most will need two seasons to develop.  However, all thirteen prospects will be invited to P-A later this month for an orientation camp which will also likely include veterans such as Ryan Button, Jordan Rowley and Nathan Deck to name a few. 
 
I ran into Button playing mini golf while strolling through West Edmonton Mall after the draft.  You have to think a chance meeting like that was uncanny given the fact you could fit an entire P-A neighbourhood into the shopping monolyth.  Ryan sends his best wishes to all Raider fans and can't wait to get back at it in August.
 
Me too. 

Okay guys, it's up to you to get'r done.
 
That was the message from Raider president Dale McFee to the coaching staff after Tuesday's news conference announcing the two year contract renewals for Coach and G.M. Bruno Campese along with Assistant's Steve Young and Craig Bedard.
 
McFee says when you look at other teams like the Medicine Hat Tigers and Chicago Blackhawks who have turned their fortunes around one thing is clear.  They had the courage to stick with their plan through tough times and it paid off.  He says this franchise needs stability and now is not the time to change the course.
 
McFee stressed the board's unanimous support for the plan laid out by Campese and the progress they have seen over the past two and a half seasons.  McFee points to an outstanding home record and excellent entertainment at the Art Hauser Centre in addition to a change in the "culture" surrounding the franchise. 
 
McFee believes the Raiders can be a consistent playoff contender and even a Memorial Cup contender in the foreseeable future.  He points to the home record, and the quality youngsters in the system like Mark McNeill, Ryan Harrison and last year's first round pick Mike Winther.
 
He believes the next step is creating an environment whereby the players expect to win as opposed to hoping they can win on any given night.  However he points out there will be checks and balances to make sure the team continues to progress.  
 
McFee's passion for the team is undeniable; his belief in the future of the franchise is unquestionable.
 
Campese who has a 24/7 approach to his job feels the endorsement from the board means they can move forward with confidence in their plan knowing they too are in it for the long haul.   Steve Young's promotion to Associate Coach in addition to assistant G.M. means Campese can concentrate on General Manager duties when necessary.  Young is excited about his expanded coaching role while continuing to learn the management side of major junior hockey.
 
In his address, Campese acknowledged the need to get bigger and tougher pointing to a lack of physical play at times as one of the reasons the Raiders won just eight road games this past season.  In our year end interview on 900 CKBI's faceoff, Bruno also said there may be times when they must put a greater concentration on defense.  For example trapping more often as opposed to constant puck pressure which at times resulted in odd man rushes.
 
Yes the Raiders peppered opposing goaltenders with the league's second highest average of 35 shots a game but gave up an average of 34 against.  Therefore you can expect some tweaks next season.
 
Jamie Tucker is the number one goaltender heading into camp this summer.  There is a strong mix of experience, skill, speed, puck moving ability as well as youth size and grit on defense.  20 year old's Jordan Rowley, Nathan Deck and 19 year old Ryan Button should be complimented by the likes of Emerson Hrynyk and Tyler Yaworski who will be 18 and the promising Harrison Ruopp who returns as a 17 year old.  All three youngsters are big, like to hit and mix it up, and are still growing.
 
Leading goal scorer Brandon Herrod comes back as a 19 year old and will be expected to continue to develop as a goal scoring power forward while Ryan Harrison will lead a group of centremen that includes the vastly improved Justin Maylan, this year's rookie of the year Mark McNeill as well as newcomers Mike Winther and Shayne Danyluk.
 
My money is on Igor Revenko returning as a 20 year old.  Igor scored 19 of his 27 goals in the first 30 games of the season.  Then came the December 5th broken jaw that proved to be a major setback for the bashful Belarussian.  He never really recovered psychologically from his first ever major injury until the dying days of the season when we saw some of Igor's magic return with hilite reel goals against Swift Current and Saskatoon.     
 
If Igor doesn't come back, Jordan Hickmott as a 21 goal scorer would be an excellent overager on the forward line as the plan is to have two 20 year old's on the backline and one up front.  However, as Bruno Campes points out the plan was not to carry a 20 year old goaltender this past season so we may not know if that is the final plan until the early October overage deadline.
 
There is a lot of reason for optimism and an instant infusion of excitement has been created with the contract renewals of the coaching staff.  There is no questioning the team of Campese, Young and Craig Bedard are knowledgable, and hard working.. the question is can they put together a group that will totally "buy in"?  In addition, will they be able to adjust on the fly to mold their game plan to fit their puck shooting ensemble.
 
The final question and piece of the puzzle is...will the fans buy in?  The attendance for Raider games this past season was down slightly from 2008-2009 and they had the lowest average attendance in the WHL for the second straight season.  Meanwhile, early bird season ticket sales in the 600 range is also down from last season.
 
The 2010-2011 season marks the 40th anniversary of the franchise.  It will be a defining campaign for the Prince Albert Raiders on the ice and at the gate.

Bruno Campese says he still has a knot in his stomach days after the end of the Prince Albert Raiders 2009-2010 season.
 
We covered off several topics during our wrap up interview on 900 CKBI's faceoff program this past Monday night.
 
Bruno feels there were four turning points in the season.
 
1.  Igor Revenko's December 5th injury in Swift Current.  Igor was eighth in league scoring at the time of his broken jaw (Ironically, it was a puck in the face).  Campese says it's the first time Igor has suffered a major injury and it had a debilitating effect.  He started back strongly with four goals in four games upon his return.  However when the full cage came off, Igor's play, goal production and confidence fell.  We saw glimpses of the old Igor at the end of the season with hilite reel goals against Swift Current and Saskatoon to finish the year with 27.
 
2.  Four losses to the Moose Jaw Warriors after Christmas including a devastating 1-0 setback with just over a minute left in regulation after a game they dominated in the crushed can.
 
3.  The concussion suffered by Garrett Zemlak against the Brandon Wheatkings (Shane Weibe crashed the net, running over Zemlak, leaving him unconscious).  Although Garrett still played well, he didn't return to first half M.V.P. form until the final days of the season.   
 
4.  After recovering from the second losing streak of the second half with big wins at home over Vancouver and on the road in Swift Current...they dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Chilliwack at the Art Hauser Centre despite outshooting the Bruins 41-18.  They just couldn't buy the tying goal (one was actually called back after a video review) sending the team into a debilitating offensive drought that would manifest itself in a 3-12-1 record down the stretch that saw the Raiders fall out of playoff contention.
 
Campese believes with their depth built over the past year on their 50 player protected list, the team is in better shape today then it was at this time last year.
 
He points to players like Marc MacKenzie, Brock Balson and possibly Matt Wasylenko who could add size and grit as 17 year old rookies next season.  Top goal man Brandon Herrod returns as a 19 year old while Ryan Harrison appears ready to have a break out season as an 18 year old like Brandon did this past season.  Justin Maylan appears to have gained confidence and produced on the scoresheet after buying in to instructions from Campese and his staff.
 
On the 20 year old situation:
 
Campese says all seven players eligable to come back have been told where they stand.  He says the plan right now is to bring back two defenseman (best candidates are Jordan Rowley and Nathan Deck) and one forward.  The top candidates are Revenko and Jordan Hickmott who scored a career high 21 goals.  However Campese didn't plan to bring back Zemlak as a 20 year old netminder this season so he points out plans can change.  
 
Last year's first round pick Mike Winther, second rounder Shane Danyluk, Balson, MacKenzie are the best bets to crack next year's lineup as rookies.  Wasylenko and T.J. Constant are also expected to challenge for spots.  Constant has had an excellent season with O.C.N. in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
 
The next order of business is preparing for the April 29th Bantam Draft in Edmonton.  Campese says they will take the best player available when they pick sixth overall.  If two players are equal they will look at their depth chart and select according to position (My money would be on a defenseman if that happened).  
 
There were many memories especially during a whopping 24 wins at home.  Some of the most vivid were during the season ending 8-3 win over Saskatoon in front of the biggest crowd (3,039) in years.  Craig McCallum scored twice to end his final season in Junior Hockey with a career best 72 points.  Zemlak was sensational keeping the Blades at bay when Saskatoon was trying to add to a 3-1 lead.  Brandon Herrod scored his 37th overall and 5th shorthanded goals of the year.  Captain Dustin Cameron ended his career knotching his 30th goal of the campaign on one of his patented "twisted wristers".  Meanwhile rookie Mark McNeill potted the final goal.. fitting since he is one of the building blocks for the future.  
 
Campese and his staff are hoping it was a sign of things to come in 2010-11.