Competition heats up for Raider roster spots
The Raiders head into the preseason after the most competitve training camp in years. The two games this week against Saskatoon will determine in many cases who stays and who goes.
There is a battle at every position. Cole Holowenko earned a good long look in goal after a strong finish to the intersquad game while fellow 18 year old netminder Luc Lee-Knight has been solid since day one. Incumbant Eric Williams rounds out the three candidates in the puck stopping category. The quality of the goaltending was such that 17 year old Brendan Fiebelkorn was released before the intersquad game and he was expected to battle for the back up spot to Williams.
The 11 remaining defensemen include 20 year old James Bettauer, arguably the best blue liner in camp as well as 16 year old's Josh Morrissey and Arvin Atwal. Morrissey's spot was never in doubt from the second he stepped on to the ice last Thursday. He will see a lot of ice time this season. Atwal surprised everyone last year as a 15 year old 8th round pick out of Vancouver. He has raised his game to the WHL level after a summer of intense training and don't let his tender age fool you, Atwal is physically and intellectually mature beyond his years.
17 year old Import Kristaps Bazevics is a big mobile rookie destined to wear a Raider uniform as a rookie. Fellow 17 year old Sawyer Lange is another serious challenger after a stellar season with the Mintos. The Prince Albert product has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt he is much more than just a token pick in the 4th round of the 2009 Bantam Draft.