Column:Warner ready to ramp it up with the Raiders

Hunter Warner is heading into the 2015-16 season with a healthy shoulder and a healthy attitude about playing his overage season in the WHL.

The six foot four inch, 210 pound, defenseman was reassigned by the Minnesota Wild to the Prince Albert Raiders this week, just in time to suit up for this weekend’s regular season opening home and home series against the Saskatoon Blades.

The Minnesota native signed a pro contract a year ago with the team he grew up idolizing, but after missing most of last season because of shoulder surgery, Warner believed this is the right move for him and both organizations.

“You know it’s May last year of Junior and my season was cut short by surgery last year so I missed a lot of hockey and with this coaching staff here it can really touch up my game and help me develop a lot into the player I could be as a professional,” said Warner. “I trust this (Raider) staff and I love this organization. It will be a really good season. ”    

Warner is established as a big rugged stay-at-home defenseman, and wants to improve offensively.

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“I know I am not going to be an offensive defenseman by any means”, said Warner, but the WHL sophomore who signed with the Raiders in the summer of 2014 said picking up more points this season is a goal.

“It can’t hurt to put up a few points and help the team out statistically. You can brush up in any area, you can never be too good in any area of your game,” he continued.

Warner had three assists and 25 penalty minutes, in just 24 games last season, before the shoulder injury shut him down.

Head coach Marc Habscheid is thrilled to have Warner back.

“(Warner) has a big presence in the (dressing) room. He’s well thought of and he’s a winner,” said Habscheid who pointed out finding defenseman as big and tough as Warner is very difficult.

“He’s a little bit old time hockey. He’s not afraid to finish checks, he’s not afraid to drop the mitts. He’s a big guy that knows his role as a stay at home defenseman.”

Warner’s return means the Raiders have four overagers, one above the 20-year-old limit. However Habscheid said the hockey operations staff may wait right up until the October 15th deadline to decide which three will stay. 

“Sometimes hockey is a great game and sometimes it stinks,” said Habscheid, who called all four 20-year-old’s valued and respected members of the team. Habscheid pointed out determining whether the team needs more defensemen or forwards is just one factor that will influence the final decision.

“Their impact on the team (is key) and you can look at trade value, but usually we are trying to keep the best three that fit our situation because some teams have more depth on defense, forward or goaltending, so you try to fill your need.”

Defenseman Jesse Lees, centreman Jordan Tkatch and winger Craig Leverton are the other 20-year-olds on the Raiders’ roster heading into Friday’s regular season opener in Saskatoon.  The Raiders host the Blades in Saturday to kick off the home schedule.

All Raider games can be heard on 900 CKBI.

dwilson@panow.com

On Twitter: RaidersVoice