By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders’ Gardiner back from the Wild

Sep 18, 2014 | 5:06 PM

Prince Albert Raiders general manager Bruno Campese said on Wednesday that there was a good possibility none of the five Raiders would return after the NHL rookie camps concluded.

So it's good news for the team that 18-year-old Reid Gardiner is returning and expected to play in Friday’s home opener against the Saskatoon Blades.

Gardiner is returning from the Minnesota Wild’s rookie camp, and played in the Traverse City Prospects Tournament with the Wild Sept. 12-16 in Traverse City, Mich.

Gardiner said it was an “unbelieveable experience” to be with the team, especially seeing how players carry themselves in professional settings.

“They’re all professionals and they all know how to play the game,” said Gardiner, who also attended the Wild’s Development Camp in July. “Lots of them are very good players and will be pros for a long time.

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“You just go in and you learn how to do things and how things operate. It was big for me, it opened my eyes to see how guys go about their business, day in and day out, was a big learning experience.”

Despite being ranked 29th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Gardiner went undrafted in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Shortly after the draft, Gardiner received an invite from the Wild to attend their rookie camp.

With the Raiders last season, Gardiner had an outstanding start with 19 goals and 34 points in his first 27 games of the season (scoring 1.26 points per game)

But after the holiday break, Gardiner managed just three goals and 10 points in his final 33 games (at 0.30 points per game).

“I think at times, I was a little hard on myself I guess,” said Gardiner. “I just want to be more consistent this year and be a point producer all year. I think I can do that.

“I also want to be a leader, on and off the ice. I took a big step last year and I want to take a big step this year in being a true leader guys can look upon. I think I’m capable of that.”

Gardiner will hope to be a helping veteran presence to some of the young rookies expected to make their WHL debuts this weekend, like forward Dylan Williamson.

Williamson is the highest drafted player from the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft that’s currently on the Raiders’ roster as a fourth round, 88th overall pick. He couldn’t be more excited to start the year as a 16-year-old.

“I’m ecstatic actually; it’s like a dream come true,” said Williamson. “I always wanted to play in the WHL and I didn’t really care where but here is a great city with great fans and everything. I love being here, it’s fun.”

Williamson, a 6’2, 178 pounder from Calgary, was signed by the team last June. That took a lot of the pressure off as he reported for camp this August.

“I felt a lot more confident coming in this year thinking like they already trust me and they know my abilities, so in camp I came with no stress on my shoulders,” said Williamson. “(In) preseason, I’ve just tried to play to my abilities and get the systems under my wing and play the best I can.”

NHL camp update

Four Raiders remain in NHL main camps, including forward Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) and three defencemen in Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg Jets), Mackenze Stewart (Vancouver Canucks) and Hunter Warner (Minnesota Wild).

Season starter vs. Saskatoon so close

The Raiders and Saskatoon Blades will start the year Friday at the Art Hauser Centre for the Raiders home opener. Both teams will also travel to the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon on Saturday for a rematch. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea