The Raiders' newest signings, Ilya Usau (left) and Ivan Kechkin (right) battle in front of the net during a scrimmage on Saturday. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Usau and Kechkin

Meet the newest Raiders’ signings

Sep 1, 2019 | 4:00 PM

Before camp started, the Prince Albert Raiders wanted to make sure they could solidify their rosters the best they could heading in.

So they signed some players before camp, getting Denver’s Ilya Usau and Moscow’s Ivan Kechkin to sign on the dotted line heading in.

Usau (pronounced OO-sov) already had a commitment to the University of Connecticut Huskies, a NCAA Division I program after playing the past two seasons of prep hockey in the state with Salisbury School. Usau instead decided to sign with the Raiders on Thursday and go the major junior route instead.

“I just think it would be a better development as a hockey player than playing in the NCAA when you only play like 30 games. It’s hard to play as a freshman and a sophomore,” Usau said. “They have a great program here, so I think it will be better to develop as a player.”

This isn’t Usau’s first introduction to the Raiders. He was in camp three years ago and learned a little about the program then and since.

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“It was a great experience three years ago, seeing the guys play in the juniors and skate with them,” Usau said. “And now I’m way more comfortable here, but it’s still very hard. There’s lots to learn from the returning guys.”

Kechkin is getting his first ever taste of Prince Albert, after the Raiders drafted him 60^th overall in the CHL Import Draft.

The Raiders drafted Kechkin, even though some sites had him listed at 5’5. Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt joked that he was pleasantly surprised to see a 6’1 Kechkin arrive in town.

Kechkin’s only been in town for a short while but is already a big fan.

“It’s amazing. I like this place,” Kechkin said. “I think Prince Albert is a very good hockey team and I was excited when I came here.”

There are currently three imports at Raiders camp.

Aliaksei Protas signed with the Washington Capitals this offseason, after they drafted him in the third round of this past NHL Entry Draft. Protas is likely to return to the Raiders at 18 years of age.

Sergei Sapego is heading to Toronto Maple Leafs camp and signed a contract with their AHL-affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. If Sapego returns to blueline the Raiders, he’ll use up both an overage and an import spot.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW