By Jeff D'Andrea

Last minute facts to get you ready for Raiders home opener

Sep 21, 2017 | 5:00 PM

With the Prince Albert Raiders’ regular season set on open this weekend with a home-and-home against the Moose Jaw Warriors, general manager Curtis Hunt stopped by the paNOW newsroom to rattle through a few items going on with the team.

Here’s what fans need to know come Friday.

All the NHL camp guys are returning except Kelly

Three of the four Raiders that attending NHL training camp have returned or are returning. Goaltender Ian Scott returned from the Toronto Maple Leafs camp and has been back with the Raiders throughout the week.

The Buffalo Sabres announced on Wednesday that defenceman Vojtech Budik is returning to Prince Albert. The Winnipeg Jets re-assigned overager Jordy Stallard back to the Raiders on Thursday.

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The only odd-man out is 18-year-old assistant captain Parker Kelly, who signed an entry level contract with the Ottawa Senators this week after coming in as a camp invite.

“Unfortunately, Parker won’t be back, but that’s a good thing in the big picture,” Hunt said. “Budik will return today [Thursday], Jordy Stallard should return today. That gives us two high-end centres and shores up our backend as Buds was part of what I thought was a really good D-core.

“Hopefully they don’t have big shot-itis, but they’re pretty good kids and we look forward to getting them back in the lineup.”

Injury report

Defenceman Austin Crossley is dealing with an upper body injury and will be out for the weekend. Hunt said they’ll treat Crossley’s injury next week as day-to-day, hoping he can return soon.

Cole Fonstad missed the last two preseason contests due to a minor day-to-day injury. Hunt said he’s been in non-contact drills throughout the week but started taking full practice on Thursday to prepare for the season opener.

Justin still ‘Nauched out of lineup

After getting a charging major in the Raiders’ 3-2 shootout win Sept. 15 over the Regina Pats, Raiders forward Justin Nachbaur will have to miss the start of the season. He was levied a four-game suspension for the hit. After sitting out the final preseason game, Nachbaur will be eligible to return until the Sept. 30 contest at home against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Weekend Warriors

Like the Raiders, the Warriors will be mostly full strength. Their only player still yet to return from NHL camp is captain Brett Howden, a first round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2016.

Jayden Halbgewachs, the Warriors leading scorer last year with 50 goals and 101 points, returned from the Vegas Golden Knights. Noah Gregor, who had 27 goals and 61 points, returned from the San Jose Sharks camp.

Both teams will meet at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday, before a Saturday rematch at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw.

With files from Trevor Redden.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW