By Jeff D'Andrea

COLUMN: Getting you set up for Raider camp

Aug 27, 2015 | 2:08 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders training camp is finally here. Here’s a couple of storylines that fans can look at while following along with camp this week, Aug. 27-31.

Who are going to be the overagers?

As it stands now, the Raiders have five overagers to choose from, Jesse Lees, D, Jordan Tkatch, C, Craig Leverton, LW, Mackenze Stewart, D, and Hunter Warner, D. Stewart and Warner have signed pro contracts with NHL teams, the Vancouver Canucks and Minnesota Wild, respectively.

Although the defensive and physically-minded Stewart and Warner would likely be welcome additions to the Raiders should their professional teams return them to the WHL level, the Raiders are coming off one of their worst offensive seasons in recent years and could use all the offensive options they can get.

The Raiders only scored 215 goals last year, their lowest total since the 2007-2008 season. Even when the Raiders finished last with 21 wins in the WHL in 2011-2012 season, they still scored more goals with 219.

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Another factor worth considering the Raiders lost Import forward Kris Schmidli to the pros and replaced him with defenceman Vojtech Budik at this year’s CHL Import Draft, the Raiders could really use some help at forward. Lees, Tkatch and Leverton are the three best offensive overage options for the Raiders. Leverton also plays on the left wing, where Schmidli used to play.

Introducing Budik

Even though he may have jumped the gun on Twitter, Vojtech Budik made it official by signing with the Raiders on Wednesday.

Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt said Budik could be a “game changer” from the backend at some point in his career. We’ll get our first real look at him here at camp.

The million four goaltenders the Raiders have to choose from

It’s no secret that the Raiders are absolutely stacked with depth between the pipes to start this year. Barring a trade, which doesn’t seem likely this early in the year, the Raiders will go with incumbents Rylan Parenteau and Nick McBride. But it is important for the Raiders to determine what they have in former ninth overall draft pick Ian Scott, who’s now 16-years-old and eligible for a full-time WHL season, as well as 17-year-old Curtis Meger after his unbelievable season in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.

Who will make the team out of camp?

There won’t be a lot of spots available for the Raiders this year, but there will be a few for young players to capture here at camp this week.

Luke Coleman, 17, played 14 games for the Raiders after finishing his Midget AAA season in Red Deer and would be a favourite for full-time duty. Other Raiders prospects that are signed and eligible to play this year are 16-year-olds Josh Maser, F, Parker Kelly, F, Cody Thompson, D, Ty Prefontaine, D, and 17-year-olds Dylan Williamson, F, and Cody Paivarinta, D.

Although they can’t make the team this season, it’s worth taking a peak at the future of the Raiders forward group in 15-year-olds Cole Fonstad (fifth overall), Carson Miller (21st overall) and Spencer Moe (28th overall), all of whom have signed with the Raiders.

Raiders Rookie Camp Schedule

Aug. 27

Team Green practice, 7 p.m.

Team Gold practice, 8 p.m.

Aug. 28

Team Green vs. Team Gold, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Team Green vs. Team Gold, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 29

Team Green vs. Team Gold, 10 a.m.

Raiders Main Camp Schedule

Aug. 29

Team Green practice, 7 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

Team Gold practice, 8 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Aug. 30

Team Green vs. Team Gold, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Team Green vs. Team Gold, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Aug. 31

Team Green pre-game skate, 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Team Gold pre-game skate, 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Raiders Green and Gold Inter-Squad Game, 7 p.m- 9:30 p.m.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea