Cole Nagy (right) keeps the puck away from Landon Kosior during the Raiders’ Green and White Intrasquad game to wrap up training camp on Monday. (Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Big man on campus

Nagy will remember his cameo in last year’s playoff run forever

Sep 3, 2019 | 10:58 AM

Cole Nagy has a step on most players trying to crack the Prince Albert Raiders roster.

He’s been on the team before, albeit briefly, as he played three games with the Raiders after signing with them on Jan. 2.

Easily the most memorable for Nagy will be the April 14 contest. The Raiders defeated Nagy’s hometown Saskatoon Blades 6-3 that day to win the WHL second round series 4-2 and move on to eventually beat the Edmonton Oil Kings in six games and the Vancouver Giants in seven to win the 2019 Ed Chynoweth Cup.

That Game 6 victory to banish the Blades from the playoffs was played in front of the biggest crowd the Raiders had all season at 10,521 at the SaskTel Centre. To play in front of that crowd and in front of family and friends in such a crucial game is a memory Nagy will always hold dear.

“It was a really good experience, seeing that many fans there. It was really cool. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” the 18-year-old said. “It was a huge learning experience, being with the guys for a month and bit for playoffs there. Hopefully I can add some of it to my game.”

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Nagy was originally selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the sixth round of the 2016 draft, but never ended up playing a game with them in the friendly city. But Nagy’s accolades since then speak for themselves.

He finished tied for second in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League last season with 65 points in all 44 regular season games with the Saskatoon Blazers, and added another four goals and 12 points in 13 playoff games. Nagy finished the year as a first team all-star in the SMAAAHL.

Nagy of course played with fellow Raider prospect Nolan Allan on that Blazers team that go to the finals.

“It was good having somebody that was on my team before, so when I come here, I’m not alone. I’m with another guy,” Nagy said on learning the new group of guys.

The Raiders will begin their pre-season on Wednesday at the Art Hauser Centre against the Warriors at 7 p.m.

Then the Raiders will play two exhibition games on the road this weekend, against the Saskatoon Blades on Friday in Warman, and the Warriors at Mosaic Place.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW