Winther could be Raiders’ second consecutive NHL 1st rounder

What will take place in the NHL Entry Draft June 22-23 in Pittsburgh, Pa. is not only going to mean awful lot not only to Mike Winther, the Prince Albert Raiders.

The Raiders’ prized 17-year-old sniper, who’s ranked as the 21st North American skater in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings lists, has more than a puncher’s chance to be chosen in the first round.

Should the speedy and skilled winger be picked in the first round of the draft, it would be the second consecutive year when a Raider was chosen in the first round after Mark McNeill went 18th overall last year to the Chicago Blackhawks.

That hasn’t happened for a long time for the Raiders. The last time two Raiders were chosen in the first round in consecutive years was in the 1995-1996 drafts, when Steve Kelly was picked sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers, then the following year, Chris Phillips was picked first overall by the Ottawa Senators.

But even if Winther goes in the second round, or even the third, the Raiders will still be making a very considerable step forward.

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The last Raiders player to get picked before McNeill and Harrison Ruopp in 2010 was defenceman Ryan Button, going in the third round to the Boston Bruins back in the 2009 draft.

In fact, Button is the only Raiders player drafted in a five year period, from 2010 dating back to 2006. In a related stat, the Raiders only made the playoffs twice in that span, and did not win a playoff series.

The last year they won a series was in 2004-2005, reaching the conference finals.

Take away that cold spell and the Raiders have been a dependable source of talent, 80 total picks since 1983, including 13 first round picks.

Winther could make that 14 this year. The Raiders love his speed and ability to find goals (32 this season), with 16 coming on the power play. Winther was also at the CHL Top Prospects Game, registering an assist on Team Cherry’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Team Orr.

In the most recent Craig’s List, a monthly draft rankings blog by TSN scout Craig Button that includes all eligible players, goaltenders and Europeans, Winther is 30th overall which would make him the last pick in the first round.

There certainly is a chance he could make it in the Top 30, but his bright future certainly wouldn’t dim at all if he was chosen in the second round.

The other Raider in contention to get drafted is 18-year-old goaltender Cole Holowenko, 29th among North American goaltenders. Holowenko took over the starting duties, leading to the Eric Williams (G) trade to Spokane, in which the Raiders received Anthony Bardaro. Holowenko had a 3.98 GAA and 0.890 save percentage in 47 games with the Raiders this year.

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Tyrel Seaman, who played his Midget AAA hockey with the Prince Albert Mintos, is ranked 104th

Here’s a list of all the WHL players in the Top 100.

2. Ryan Murray, D, Everett; 5. Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw; 10. Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton; 11. Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer; 12. Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland; 14. Colton Sissons, F, Kelowna; 21. Mike Winther, F, Prince Albert; 26. Dalton Thrower, D, Saskatoon; 33. Chandler Stephenson, F, Regina; 39. Lukas Sutter, F, Saskatoon; 42. Tim Bozon, F, Kamloops; 48. Damon Severson, D, Kelowna; 55. Brett Kulak, D, Vancouver; 61. Coda Gordon, F, Swift Current; 64. Kenton Helgesen, D, Calgary; 65. Branden Troock, F, Seattle, 67. Nicholas Walters, D, Everett; 72. Mitchell Moroz, F, Edmonton; 73. Logan Nelson, F, Victoria; 75. Henrik Samuelsson, F, Edmonton; 83. Graham Black, F, Swift Current; 85. Steven Hodges, F, Victoria; 89. Travis Brown, D, Moose Jaw; 92. Ashton Sautner, D, Edmonton; 100. Philip Tot, D, Lethbridge.

jdandrea@panow.com