By Jeff D'Andrea

Pair of Raider prospects win Midget AAA provincials

Mar 24, 2017 | 7:08 AM

In the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the Prince Albert Raiders selected two players in the second round in defenceman Adam Herold, 35th overall, and forward Eric Pearce, 42nd overall. This week, they both were on the Regina Pat Canadians team that won the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League championship.

Herold and Pearce both threw their gloves in the air in celebration on Tuesday as their team swept the Tisdale Trojans, who also feature Raider prospect Luc Marleau.

Pat Canadians League Champs!! 4-1 Final @aaapatcanadians @TisdaleTrojans pic.twitter.com/4uWTymbfqy

— Michelle Solomon (@capsfaninsk) March 22, 2017

“It meant everything,” Regina’s Pearce said. “We worked the whole year to get there. It felt just great to finally be where we wanted to be, and to continue playing hockey.”

Both players have felt they have grown as players.

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Primarily used as a third-line checker, Pearce scored 10 goals and 24 points in 40 games with the Pat C’s, with another three goals and six points in 11 postseason games.

“I’ve improved a lot this year,” Pearce said. “The coaching staff has helped me tremendously and hopefully that’s getting me ready for the rest of the playoffs and hopefully for P.A. next year.”

“I think I’m a power forward that can definitely put the puck in the net. I can definitely play both ways, put the puck in the net, set people up; just be an all-around player.”

Herold has already played a regular season game with the Raiders. As the Raiders were short on defencemen to start the season, Herold was an emergency call up for the Raiders’ home opener on Sept. 24 against the Regina Pats.

“That was pretty awesome actually. That was a really cool experience,” Herold said, who had 11 points in the regular season and five in the playoffs. “It was spur of the moment, I wasn’t expecting it. The guys were really welcoming, it was pretty cool to do that, that early. I would’ve liked to go up again.”

The last time the Pat Canadians won the league was in 2014-15, who were led in part by Raiders goaltending prospect Curtis Meger.

The Pat Canadians are currently preparing for the 2017 Telus Cup Western Regionals in Steinbach, Man., March 30 to April 2 and hosted by the Eastman Selects.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca 

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW