By Jeff D'Andrea

Leason leading in everything; two Raiders off to U17’s

Oct 16, 2018 | 10:41 PM

Last year at this time of the season, Brett Leason had one goal, no assists and was -6 for the Tri-City Americans, before getting traded to the Prince Albert Raiders.

How things have changed since then.

After Leason’s two-goal, four-point night led the Raiders to an 8-4 win over the Calgary Hitmen Tuesday at the Art Hauser Centre, Leason’s outstanding start to the season is now becoming the subject of jokes from his teammates.

While Leason was fielding questions after Tuesday’s game, teammate Parker Kelly chimed in with an impression of what Leason would sound like if he was super cocky.

“Yeah, I’m the best there is,” Kelly said, as Leason and the reporters tried not to laugh.

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As confident as Leason is in his game right now, he would never say something like that. He’s much too modest and quiet.

But statistically speaking, Kelly’s impression makes a good point. Currently in the WHL, nobody has more goals or more points than Brett Leason. His 11 goals and 26 points sit on top of both categories.

In fact, his 26 points lead all players in the CHL. He’s also tied for second in goals as only Jason Robertson of the Kingston Frontenacs has more tucks than Leason, with 13 in 10 games played.

Leason has played himself into the spotlight, seeing cameras and microphones after just about every game. But it doesn’t phase him.

“Not too much, I kind of enjoy it. It’s nice,” Leason said.

Leason and 20-year-old veteran Sean Montgomery have made quite the pair.

Montgomery has been admired by Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid since he was a rookie for his defensive presence. His career high was the 29 points he scored last year in a full-72 game season. Montgomery is already over halfway there, scoring 15 in his first 12 games. He had a goal and two assists on Tuesday.

“They’ve had chemistry from day one, especially this season,” Habscheid said. “Early in training camp, they just play together real well. They’re both a lot the same, they just don’t say much. They just play and they have a lot of things going on right now.”

Leason’s first goal of the game gave Cohner Saleski his first WHL career point, in his second career game.

Saleski received a rimmed pass along the boards from goaltender Donovan Buskey, and found Leason in the middle of the ice and watched him split the D and score.

Saleski was supposed to join his Prince Albert Mintos squad in the Battlefords on Tuesday, but found out earlier in the day he’d be making his season debut.

“I was sitting in first period class and I got a random text saying I was supposed to come to the rink,” Saleski said. “I was prepared to play with my Mintos in Battleford, but I had to come here.

“I think it actually went just about as planned. I wanted to come in and prove that I’ve been progressing and getting better every day. That’s what I showed out there.”

Saleski filled in for Spencer Moe, who’s day-to-day with an upper body injury.

Red Maple Leaves

Before the game on Tuesday, Hockey Canada announced that a pair of 16-year-old Raiders in Kaiden Guhle and Ozzy Wiesblatt will represent Team Canada in the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in St. John and Quispamsis, N.B. from Nov. 3-10.  

They were actually in class when they got the call. Guhle didn’t mind the interruption one bit.

“It was a lot of weight lifted off my shoulders, kinda thinking about that the last couple days. Yeah, it was awesome to get the call,” Guhle said.

For both young men, this will be their first time in their hockey careers they’ll be able to represent their country. That’s something that Wiesblatt is going to remember.

“Just putting on the maple leaf for the first time’s going to be pretty surreal,” Wiesblatt said. “I’m just excited to get things going.”

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Raiders, Sergei Sapego from Justin Nachbaur, 6:24

Sapego gives the Raiders an early 1-0 after feeding Nachbaur the puck and crashing in for the rebound. 1-0 Raiders 6:24 in pic.twitter.com/YkjvVgHbuE

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

2-0, Raiders, Brett Leason from Cohner Saleski, 12:36

Brett Leason continues his unbelievable start to the year. He’ll score his 10th goal and 23rd point of the year here, extending his point-scoring streak to 12 games. Cohner Saleski gets his first WHL career point with the assist. They should add an assist to Buskey on this too. pic.twitter.com/Kox6rhiLWs

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

3-0, Raiders, Brett Leason from Aliaksei Protas and Brayden Pachal, 19:06

The Raiders’ pressure keeps the Hitmen on the ice forever, and of course it’s Brett Leason that scores his 2nd of the game with 53.3 seconds left. Nice patience and vision from Protas to find him. 3-0 Raiders after the first period. pic.twitter.com/jKs9LlaGgv

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

Second Period

3-1, Hitmen, Mark Kastelic from Kaden Elder and Cael Zimmerman, 2:23

Mark Kastelic finishes off a pretty passing play to get the Hitmen into the game early in the second period. Former Minto Cael Zimmerman gets an assist on the play. 3-1 Raiders still lead 3 minutes into the third pic.twitter.com/XJeCIhqhm9

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

3-2, Hitmen, Zach Huber from Riley Fiddler-Schultz, 3:49

Hitmen score right off the draw after a Raiders’ icing. It’s Zach Huber with the snipe right off the draw. The Hitmen score two goals quickly in the second period and just like that it’s a 3-2 game. pic.twitter.com/6qj5SsoAyR

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

4-2, Raiders, Zack Hayes from Brayden Pachal, 7:30

Zack Hayes’ shot awkwardly goes in after it deflects off of Hitmen Hunter Campbell and into the net. Raiders up 4-2 midway through the second period. pic.twitter.com/p4lTSLtndB

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

4-3, Hitmen, Luke Coleman from Tye Carriere and Egor Zamula, 16:57

Luke Coleman eventually scores against his former team after a long scramble in front. It’s a one-goal game again, 4-3 Raiders with just over 3 minutes left in the 2nd period pic.twitter.com/SPTBliR70T

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

5-3, Raiders, Jeremy Masella from Brett Leason and Sean Montgomery, 18:45

Beautiful switch with Jeremy Masella and Kaiden Guhle at the blueline. Masella keeps and scores his first of the year near the end of the 2nd period. It’s 5-3 Raiders after 40 minutes of play. The Raiders led 3-0 after the first period. pic.twitter.com/hKCctou6pK

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

Third Period

6-3, Raiders, Justin Nachbaur from Ozzy Wiesblatt and Carson Miller, 5:59

Ozzy Wiesblatt absorbs a hit and finds Justin Nachbaur cross-crease to extend the Raiders’ lead to 6-3, 6 minutes into the third period. pic.twitter.com/nK1IW5irAR

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

7-3, Raiders, Sean Montgomery from Brett Leason and Sergei Sapego (shorthanded), 12:02

Snipin’ Sean Montgomery extends the Raiders’ lead to 7-3, shorthanded. Leason with the assist. That’s the sixth shorthanded goal of the year for the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/JJawnTUK8y

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

8-3, Raiders, Carson Miller from Max Martin and Sean Montgomery (power play), 15:50

Carson Miller takes full advantage of some power play time, goes bar down and it’s 8-3. pic.twitter.com/gsjYwcdBM5

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

8-4, Hitmen, Dakota Krebs from Mark Kastelic and Jake Kryski (power play), 18:33

Quick one-timer to Dakota Krebs and it’s 8-4 now. That’s a rare power play goal for the Hitmen this year. pic.twitter.com/fWn41sNVi5

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 17, 2018

‘Who own the Chiefs?’

The Raiders will play their first American opponent this year on Saturday when 2015 WHL first overall pick Ty Smith and the Spokane Chiefs (5-2-0-2) roll into the Art Hauser Centre.

While the Raiders will get to rest for the remainder of the week before the Saturday matchup, the Chiefs will be super busy in Saskatchewan this week. After their 6-4 win against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Tuesday, they still have to play the Regina Pats on Wednesday and the Saskatoon Blades on Friday before heading to the Hauser.

This past WHL Bantam Draft, the Chiefs selected two players from Prince Albert in Logan Cox and Chase Friedt-Mohr. Both players are currently with the Prince Albert Mintos.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW