Raiders deal Rhinehart to Cougars, receive scoring centre in McDonald
In the first round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the Prince Albert Raiders thought they had selected a game-changing defenceman to be on their blueline for years to come. Rhett Rhinehart may still be that player, but not for the Green and Gold.
The Raiders announced Saturday morning they traded away Rhinehart, along with 18-year-old defenceman Austin Crossley and their first-round pick of the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft to the Prince George Cougars for 19-year-old centreman Kody McDonald and a conditional third or fourth-round pick in 2018.
Rhinehart had one assist in 31 games for the Raiders in his 16-year-old season. He was not only scratched for Friday’s 7-3 Raiders victory over the Kootenay ICE, but Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt said Rhinehart returned home Thursday and was reassigned to the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League before the deal was made.
Although there has been some speculation among Raider fans behind Rhinehart’s departure, Hunt said it was ultimately the team’s decision.