The future is now, in more way than one

As the Raiders nurse a tenuous two-point lead for the WHL's final Eastern playoff spot comes word that 2010 first round draft choice Josh Morrissey will make his regular season debut Wednesday against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The timing of this has nothing to do with the team's three-game losing streak, which was accentuated with the 6-2 home ice loss Friday against the last place Calgary Hitmen. First of all, no matter how good, a 15-year-old defenseman will not lift a major junior team out of its doldrums. It is far too much to ask. Morrissey's appearance is a simple case of availability. His Calgary Royals team is not in action and the coaching staff want to serve the player selected sixth overall last spring, his first real WHL cup of coffee. Morrissey was very good in the two training camp rookie games against the Saskatoon Blades.

Josh is having an outstanding season. As a defenseman, he is leading his team in points (36 in 24 games including 15 goals) and is 13th overall in the Albert Midget AAA scoring race. The 40 penalty minutes also suggests Morrissey plays with an edge. The coaching staff is excited about Morrissey's potential. Josh is a first team all star in the Alberta Midget AAA Loop, has already played in the league's all-star game in addition to the Mac tournament and has made the province's Canada Games team. Scouts outside the organization agree, Josh Morrissey could be a cornerstone of the Raiders in years to come. He is allowed to play five games until his Midget AAA season is over and can then become a full time Raider.

There is a good new, bad news scenario to the Raiders current slide. The good news is they still occupy the final playoff spot despite the three-game slide. It's also encouraging to know Edmonton and Swift Current (tied for sixth) are just four points up on P.A. (Oil Kings have two games in hand on the Raiders, P.A. has two games in hand on the Broncos)

The dynamics of the Conference provides the Raiders with the best chance in four years to make the playoffs. A team like the Raiders (six games under .500) would normally have no hope in H-E-double hockey sticks of making the playoffs since the move to the Conference set up four years ago. However, six of the 12 teams have lost more than they have won meaning a playoff spot is there for the taking.

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The schedule is also in the Raiders favour. There are only a pair of road trips that require an overnight stay. The P.A. boys also play 12 of their final 23 games against teams under .500 including four head to head matchups against Swift Current (one of the teams they are trying to catch). A reduced travel schedule should mean less fatigue and more time to practice and prepare. However, despite the many favourable factors at play, the key will be consistency, not only from game to game but within games.

Consistency or the lack thereof has plagued the Raiders all season.

dwilson@rawlco.com