By Jeff D’Andrea

Lean and mean Loch ready for big year; ‘Gloves’ is back

Sep 21, 2016 | 5:00 PM

Toughness is never an issue for rugged Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Loch Morrison.

He got into six scraps last season and is never a stranger to post-curricular activities after the whistle. But now Morrison isn’t just mean, he’s lean as well.

P.A.’s Morrison was acquired from the Calgary Hitmen at the deadline last year, he was listed at 204 pounds before trimming down to 193 after a fitness-filled summer.

He’s already reaping the benefits with his weight shed and increased mobility. Despite usually playing more of a defensive role, Morrison scored a point per game in four pre-season contests.

“I did a lot more running and cardio, stayed away from upper body and lifting just to get faster,” Morrison, who grew up in Prince Albert, said. “[The coaches] said that’s what I needed to work on, so that’s what I based my workouts on in the summer. It paid off well, I feel good on the ice and much faster.

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“It obviously helps when you lose 10 pounds. It’s a good adjustment… Just more confident in getting up in the play and defending a guy coming down on you, it helps a lot—especially now that the game is all legs and speed. I still got a lot of work to do, I’m looking forward to it.”

That increase in movement may have come at the perfect time for Morrison. The Raider defence is full of veterans, as Morrison is one of four D-men entering their 19-year-old seasons— the others being Raider defencemen in Brendan Guhle, Nick Heid and Brennan Riddle. Vojtech Budik is 18 and will also garner a lot of ice when he and Guhle return from the Sabres (if they do).

Morrison, who was used primarily as a depth player last season, is looking to increase his role on the blueline, despite all the experience around him.

“I just want to play a consistent game and worry about the little details that will allow me to get more ice time and have a leadership role,” Morrison said. “I’m just looking forward to playing my game defensively and being hard to play against.”

The regular season is only a few days away, when the Raiders will begin their campaign with a home-and-home series with the Regina Pats. Both teams will head down to the Brandt Centre in the Queen City on Friday, before coming up to the Art Hauser Centre on Saturday.

Morrison said the team is chomping at the bit to get the season underway.

“I think we’re ready to go,” Morrison said. “Guys are being serious around the rink when it’s the right time, but we’re also loose and having fun. That’s a good atmosphere to have right now. The young guys are getting more comfortable.”

Getting ‘Gloves’ back

The Raiders are getting back at least one veteran for their opening weekend games. Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt said over-ager Austin Glover is en route to Prince Albert after playing for the Dallas Stars’ rookie team this pre-season.

The Raiders are still waiting for confirmation on Brendan Guhle and Vojtech Budik, who are with the Buffalo Sabres, as well as Simon Stransky (Boston Bruins) and Luke Coleman (Detroit Red Wings).

The Raiders learned on Tuesday that Reid Gardiner and Rylan Parenteau would be attending the main NHL training camps for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks, respectively.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea