By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders first rounder Rhinehart killed phone battery in anticipation of draft pick

May 5, 2016 | 6:10 PM

Rhett Rhinehart can usually keep his phone battery alive throughout the day, needing a mini-charge at lunchtime. But on Thursday, May 5, that proved to be quite the challenge.

Rhinehart had the WHL app on his phone, constantly refreshing until he found out the Prince Albert Raiders had selected the Lloydminster, Alta. product 13th overall at the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft (12th player picked due to Portland forfeiting their first rounder.)

“It was dead before lunch,” Rhinehart said. “Usually it’s at like 20 or 30 per cent when I come home from school. It was coming in with all the notifications.”

All phone battery issues aside, it was a special day for Rhinehart as he was selected by a Saskatchewan-based team.

Although he lives in Alberta and played at the Yale Hockey Academy in the past year in Abbotsford, B.C., Saskatchewan holds a special place for Rhinehart.

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His family hails from Saskatchewan, his grandparents are still in Maidstone and he frequently visits the province on the weekends.

“I know when I was selected by P.A. I was super happy,” Rhinehart said. “Being from Saskatchewan, it’s nice to be close to home and be a part of that organization.”

Rhinehart grew up in a hockey family. His father Dwayne has been a scout with the SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers for the past five years, after being with the Bombers as a player in the early 1990’s.

“My dad’s pretty much taught everything, the ins and outs of the game and how to do things properly. Without his experience, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said.

Rhinehart had 18 points in 24 games with Yale of the CSSHL. He’s listed as 6’1, 182 lbs and a right shot defenceman.

“I’d describe myself as a player as a two-way defenceman, solid defensively but I love to join to join the play when I get the chance offensively,” Rhinehart said. “And I like to play physical.”

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea