Raiders forward Brett Leason is presented with the Most Improved Award at the Raiders awards banquet by award sponsor James Mueller. Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders Awards Banquet

Raiders celebrate season with awards banquet

Mar 18, 2019 | 9:08 PM

The 2018-19 Prince Albert Raiders Year-End Awards Banquet Monday at the Ches Leach Lounge was more than just handing out trophies and plaques. It was about reflecting about how outstanding their first place finishing year that was, but more importantly than that, how tightly-knit the team is.

Before the playoffs each year, Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid usually does a fun game with his teams called “Things I Remember,” where he shares a memory that stands out for each player on the team. With the playoffs starting on Friday, Habscheid was kind enough to share those to the Raiders fans and volunteers on Monday at the Ches Leach Lounge.

They aren’t always a compliment, in fact, most are a well-mannered jab.

Habscheid’s thing he remembered about Sean Montgomery, who’s actually been a Raider longer than Habscheid himself, was something the coach actually couldn’t remember.

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“Monty, you and I have been together four and a half years, and I still don’t know your first name,” Habscheid said to applause.

With defenceman Zack Hayes, Habscheid’s memory went to a close family member.

“Gramma Hayes with the green hair, love it,” Habscheid said. “And Hayeser snuck onto the power play for 30 seconds this year. I swore it would never happen.”

But Habscheid reserved his fiercest thing he remembers for captain Brayden Pachal.

“Somebody has to explain this to me. Here is by far, by far, the dirtiest hockey player in the Western Hockey League, let’s get it out there. He just is,” Habscheid said. “But yet, he’s out there in Prince Albert most evenings being a referee. Those things just don’t add up.”

As for the awards themselves Brett Leason was another big winner. His breakout season of 89 points in 55 games saw Leason win three awards, winning the Leading Scorer, Most Improved Player and second in the Three Stars Awards.

Goaltender Ian Scott was named as the Raiders’ Most Valuable Player after his stellar season between the pipes. Scott led the league in shutouts with eight, and was ranked second save percentage (.932) and goals against average (1.83). All three of those stats are Raiders’ records.

Rotary Club Scholastic Player of the Year: Jakob Brook

Parkland Ambulance Humanitarian of the Year: Jeremy Masella

Lionel Diehl Memorial Hardest Working Player of the Year: Zack Hayes

Redhead Equipment Three Stars: 1) Noah Gregor, 2) Brett Leason, 3) Parker Kelly

Investors Group Best Conditioned Player: Parker Kelly

Great Western Brewing Company Most Improved Player: Brett Leason

CTV Best Defensive Forward: Sean Montgomery

Source For Sports Players Choice Award: Sean Montgomery

Northern Lights Casino Leading Scorer Award: Brett Leason

Broda Construction Rookie of the Year: Ozzy Wiesblatt and Kaiden Guhle

North Star Signs Most Valuable Defenceman: Brayden Pachal

Lake Country Co-op Most Valuable Player: Ian Scott

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW