McBride wins goalie battle, to play with ‘role model’ Cheveldave

Parenteau has been reassigned to the Kindersley Klippers, where he’ll battle former Prince Albert Minto Tyrell King for playing time.

Even though it’s been a couple days, McBride said the news still hasn’t fully registered.

“It’s probably going to sink in once I put on the jersey for the first time and get into the season a little bit,” said McBride, the second goalie drafted in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, 23rd overall. “It does feel really cool. The WHL is something you look forward to for a long time.”

Now that he’s cracked the roster, McBride will serve as a back-up to overager Cole Cheveldave who was acquired this offseason in a trade.

Since Cheveldave spent the last two years as the Kamloops Blazers starter, McBride got to see him play quite a bit in the stands of the Pacific Coliseum, the home of the Vancouver Giants.

“I’ve watched Cole in many games versus the Giants back home in Vancouver,” said McBride, who’s from Maple Ridge, B.C. a Vancouver suburb. “He’s a nice guy and I’m really lucky for having him mentor me.”

McBride is just one of the numerous Raiders excited to play along Cheveldave, who has a 70-27-3-4 record in two seasons with the Kamloops Blazers, along with 10 shutouts, 2.50 goals against average and .908 save percentage.

Josh Morrissey was quick to welcome Cheveldave to the Raiders on twitter shortly after the trade was announced July 10. Morrissey, along with Reid Gardiner, Dakota Conroy and others have publicly said in interviews they were excited about the Raiders acquiring the 20-year-old goaltender .

“That makes me feel exceptional,” said Cheveldave, originally from Calgary. “I couldn’t ask for more coming into a town and having everybody behind you already.

“That’s awesome for me and my confidence is going to be great coming into this year.”

Although his spot wasn’t threatened during the preseason, Cheveldave got a great view of the goaltending battle between McBride and Parenteau.

He had nothing but great things to say about his now-partner in crime.

“He’s an unreal goalie for his age right now,” said Cheveldave. “He’s going to be a good guy to have behind me, push me along and get myself better.

“I’m going to be a role model for him, as well.”
Cheveldave’s backup in Kamloops last season was Taran Kozun, the Prince Albert Mintos Midget AAA goaltender from 2010-2011. Now with Cheveldave’s move to PA, Taran is expected to take over the starting goaltending role for the Blazers.

“Taran’s an outstanding goalie as well and he’s going to fill his shoes there in Kamloops,” said Cheveldave. “Nothing but good luck for him and all the best for his season as well.

“It’s a good time we only have to play them one time this year.”
That one game will be Dec. 13 when Cheveldave’s former Blazers will visit the Art Hauser Centre.

“That would be a nice Christmas present getting a ‘W’ against those guys,” said Cheveldave.

NHL camp-bound

The Raiders will be without four veteran players Thursday and Friday for the home-and-home against the Regina Pats, as they will be attending NHL training camps. They are Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets, 1st rounder in 2013), Mike Winther (Dallas Stars, 2nd rounder in 2012), Jayden Hart (Boston Bruins, undrafted) and Chance Braid (Washington Capitals, undrafted).

The availability of those four players for the Sept. 13-14 home-and-home against the Saskatoon Blades will be determined with how far they get in camp. All four of the NHL team’s rookie camps conclude by Sept. 9, (Sept. 10 for the Bruins) so provided they don’t make main camp, they should be back for that weekend.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

McBride wins goalie battle, to play with ‘role model’ Cheveldave

By Jeff D’Andrea

What's Trending