Raiders forward Parker Kelly holds the Ed Chynoweth Cup over his head after the Raiders won the WHL title on Monday at the Art Hauser Centre. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

From Vancouver to Halifax

Coast to coast: Raiders settle in Halifax and prepare for ‘Holy Grail’ of tournaments

May 16, 2019 | 2:00 PM

In a span of less than a week, the Prince Albert Raiders’ run to the 2019 Memorial Cup presented by Kia has taken them to both coasts of the country.

Six days ago, the Raiders were on the edge of the West Coast of Canada in Langley B.C., playing the Vancouver Giants. Then five days later, the Raiders flew into Halifax, N.S. on Wednesday for the Memorial Cup. On Thursday, the Raiders had their first skate at the Scotiabank Centre in downtown Halifax, getting used to the boards and getting their first taste of the their new home for the tournament.

“We were joking around like ‘Does it really feel like we’ve travelled across the country?’ But here we are,” Raiders goaltender Ian Scott said. “I think it’s finally sinking in, once we hit the ice, that we’re at the Memorial Cup. It’s real exciting.”

Parker Kelly has also wanted to visit Atlantic Canada. His grandma is from St. John’s, N.L. and Kelly wanted to venture out to the East Coast to visit where his family roots came from.

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“It’s been a rollercoaster, going from the West Coast to the East Coast. It’s pretty special,” Kelly said. “For me, I’ve never been out here but my mom and my dad came around the Newfoundland area, so it’s always been a dream of mine to come out here. To come out here for the Memorial Cup is something special.”

It wasn’t always an easy journey for the Raiders. They had to steal with a pesky Vancouver Giants team that wouldn’t go away, and were one bounce away from coming back from a 3-1 final series deficit and beating the Raiders. But getting through that has hardened the team.

“It was a lot of hard work and adversity, and we dealt with it really well,” Raiders defenceman Zack Hayes said. “That adversity only made it strong. It’s awesome to be here. It’s completely different than the WHL. It’s another experience for the boys to have.”

After holding onto the Ed Chynoweth Cup on Monday, it’s quite the emotional turnaround to play in another tournament.

“It’s definitely a little bit different. It’s kind of hard to get that focus back, but this is the Holy Grail,” Kelly said. “This is what we all wanted from day one. I think we’re in a good spot here, and I like our chances.”

Raiders sign first rounder

Exactly two weeks after the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, the Raiders officially signed first rounder Niall Crocker to a WHL Standard Players Agreement — the team announced on Thursday.

“It means a lot to sign,” Crocker said in a statement. “I can’t wait to be playing my first game in Prince Albert. All I’ve heard is good things. I can’t wait to be part of the organization.”

Crocker is six feet two inches tall and 165 pounds, and scored 18 goals and 27 assists in 30 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Prep.

“I think he has a great combination of skill, IQ, and grit,” Raiders director of player personnel Curt Brownlee said. “The other part we like about him is his character and his ability to lead. He’s excited to play in the Western Hockey League and with the Prince Albert Raiders.”

Memorial Cup

Friday, Raiders vs. Mooseheads, 8 p.m. (5 p.m. Saskatchewan time)

Monday, Raiders vs. Huskies, 8 p.m. (5 p.m. Saskatchewan time)

Tuesday, Raiders vs. Storm, 8 p.m. (5 p.m. Saskatchewan time)

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW