The Raiders exchange high fives with their fans. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Welcome home!

Raiders return home to a warm welcome

May 22, 2019 | 4:58 PM

Over a hundred excited hockey fans lined up at the Art Hauser Centre Wednesday afternoon to welcome the Raiders back home.

The team bus arrived shortly before 2:30 p.m. Joe and Bev Remai told paNOW they were not disappointed the team was not returning with the Memorial Cup.

“The fact that they won the Western Hockey League Championship was enough for us,” Joe said.

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Gloria Sabo was also in the crowd and said she was also very proud of the team.

“They played hard, they played good, and they are a pillar of our community,” she said.

The players were let out at the entrance to the parking lot and given a chance to shake hands with their fans, and exchange high fives. While looking a bit tired from the long journey home, all the players appeared very grateful for the warm reception and had huge smiles on their faces. The team’s Captain Brayden Pachal was interviewed by the event’s MC Rob Lindsay, and said playing in the Memorial Cup was an amazing experience.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted but we will celebrate our accomplishment winning the WHL championship,” he said.

Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt spoke with paNOW and said it was a special feeling seeing all the fans and added it meant a lot to the whole team and coaching staff.

“I think our guys need to be so proud and enjoy the fact that not only did we win a WHL championship, we won it here at home and what a great night that was and certainly we will remember that,” he said.

Some young Raiders fans wait anxiously to see their favourite players. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Raiders fans will get one more chance to congratulate the team before they head to their respective homes. Mayor Greg Dionne told paNOW a rally will take place Thursday at the Art Hauser Centre at 6 p.m.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell