Brandon Wheat Kings captain Braden Schneider defends against his hometown Raiders earlier this season. (Keith Hershmiller/WHL)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Schneider vs Raiders

Schneider to face his Raiders one last time in his WHL career

Apr 23, 2021 | 3:00 PM

On Saturday, Braden Schneider will battle against his hometown Prince Albert Raiders for the final time in WHL career.

Saturday’s game at 6 p.m. will be the last ever time the Brandon Wheat Kings captain will play against the team he grew up watching in the Art Hauser Centre as a youngster. As a 19-year-old who is a signed, first-round draft pick of the New York Rangers, Schneider will begin his professional hockey career as soon as next season—pandemic permitting, of course.

But Schneider isn’t thinking about his last ever meeting against the Raiders. He’s thinking about the two points they need to ensure his Wheat Kings win a WHL East Division banner.

“All that I’m thinking is we got to get these next couple games to win. That’s our team focus, that’s my focus, and I think the main thing we’re trying to go in with is playing our best hockey and make sure we come out with the two points,” Schneider said.

Playoffs were always going to be dicey for this season, during the pandemic. The WHL considered having each division come up with some shortened version of playoffs before the whole thing was officially cancelled on Monday.

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But even with that uncertainty throughout the season and the finality of Monday’s announcement, the Wheat Kings have been gunning for that top spot regardless. The Wheat Kings have won their last five games and are on the verge of clinching the division. They have 34 points—three more than both the Winnipeg ICE and the Saskatoon Blades. They all have three games remaining

.“We’re approaching it to finish at the top of our standings. We knew it was a developmental year, so we wanted to get in as many reps in for the younger guys and win as many games as possible,” Schneider said. “I think we’ve been able to accomplish that. If we can take these next few games and go home on top, then that’s our main goal.”

With the “developmental year” in mind, Schneider used the season in large part to improve his game offensively, while still maintaining that rugged, physical defending game Schneider has been known for.

It’s certainly helped as Schneider has 21 points in 19 games with the Wheat Kings this season, good for third in the WHL among defencemen. It’s also by far the best pace he’s had in his career at 1.11 points per game, well above the .70 he had last season and more than double his career average of 0.53.

“I think it’s helped me a ton. The last couple of years, I’ve focused more on being confident with the puck and creating more offence but still maintaining that defensive and hard-to-play-against style of play that I like to do, and I think I’ve been able to do that,” Schneider said. “It’s been a good couple of series with the World Juniors and the bubble, and playing a few games pro. I’ve been very lucky and fortunate enough to be able to do all those things and get lots out of it. I think it’s been very good.”

Like everybody in the Subway Hub Centre in Regina, the Wheat Kings have been restricted to the student dorm rooms or the Brandt Centre. But Schneider said the team has rallied with it, and gotten to bond as a team.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been closer with a group of guys in my life. That’s been the beauty of it,” Schneider said. “We’ve developed relationships like no other, compared to other years. It’s been a lot of fun, I’ve enjoyed being with the boys every day. It’s been awesome.”

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW