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Raiders goaltender Boston Bilous dives out of his crease to take away a chance and cover up the loose puck during Raiders camp on Saturday. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff
Shipping up to Boston

Bilous learned for the best, now ready for what’s next

Aug 31, 2019 | 4:45 PM

Looking at the Prince Albert Raiders’ back stoppers in their training camp, the blue crease looks like it’s going to be occupied a whole lot by 18-year-old Boston Bilous for this upcoming season.

Bilous is the only Raider goaltender out of the 11 currently at training camp that has spent a full season in the WHL. He’s played in two in fact, and has appeared in 35 games in the past two seasons. The only other goalie at camp that’s played in the WHL is 18-year-old Brett Balas, who’s played in three major junior games, all last year with the Raiders.

Bilous came to the Raiders at the trade deadline was 5-0-1 as a member of the Raiders last year, with an 0.877 save percentage and 3.06 goals against average. The Raiders went on to become the WHL champions for the first time in 34 years, something that Bilous will never forget.

“Unbelievable. It’s kind of indescribable what we did. Looking back on it, I can thank every guy in that room for the experience they shared with me,” Bilous said, the 18-year-old from Langley, B.C. “They taught me so much, everyone in the room.”

But of course, there’s one player that Bilous thanks more than anybody else, and that was his goalie partner last year—Ian Scott.

Being the other goalie on a team with the CHL Goaltender of the Year means a lot of watching from the bench. But Bilous took the opportunity to study the best goalie of the nation. Bilous had the best view out of anybody to learn what he could from Scott, everything from how he prepares for games and how he stays calm in the pressure-cooking situations.

“Seeing Ian Scott helped me so much. It helped me over the summer, I’ve implemented so many things that I didn’t know before I met Ian,” Bilous said. “He’s CHL goalie of the year for a reason, and I just look to implement some of those things that he had in his game into my game.

“Obviously, I am my own man and I’m looking to do my own thing, but a lot of this goes to Ian for sure.”

After learning from the best during the season and having a fruitful offseason or preparation, Bilous is ready for whatever comes this year.

“I used that time to grow my game, and I feel my game is ready to take the next level and see more games this year. That’s what I’m looking to do,” Bilous said. “I’m very confident with where I am, and I’m only going to continue to grow throughout the season.”

The Raiders training camp continue throughout Sunday, and on Monday with the Green and White Game on Monday at 1 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.

jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

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