Raiders forward Dante Hannoun with the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2019. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Two-year anniversary

Looking back at the time the Raiders won it all

May 13, 2021 | 4:17 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders are still the last team to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

On this day two years ago, May 13, the Raiders hosted the cup over their heads after winning the Western Hockey League title for the second time in their history—and in the most dramatic fashion possible.

In Game 7.

In overtime.

Just how they rehearsed in their driveways throughout their lives.

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It was Dante Hannoun that was able to live out that childhood dream, as he scored the 3-2 overtime goal in the WHL Championship Series rubber match to defeat his hometown Vancouver Giants and win it for the Raiders.

Although Hannoun stole the spotlight with one of the most important goals in Raiders history, Noah Gregor was an absolute beast throughout the game. Gregor scored both of the Raiders’ goals in regulation, then wheeled around the offensive zone and found Hannoun in front of the net with a bullet of a pass.

Noah Gregor. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

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Another huge factor that couldn’t get overlooked is Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt, who pulled the strings and ultimately made some huge deals. In fact, both Hannoun and Gregor were not on the Raiders’ roster at the beginning of the season.

Gregor was Victoria Royals’ property in the 2018 offseason, and it strongly appeared that he would start his professional career with the San Jose Barracuda as a 20-year-old, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate. Hunt took a gamble anyway by claiming Gregor’s rights in a trade on July 25, 2018—a gamble that paid off when Gregor walked into the Raiders’ dressing room on Oct. 3, 2018. Gregor went on to be the most consistent goal scorer for the Raiders throughout the season, and contributed to five of the Raiders’ six goals in the Memorial Cup.

Hannoun led the Raiders in playoff scoring with 14, after joining the team at the trade deadline. Hannoun was also acquired by Hunt from the Royals—with Carson Miller and Kody McDonald going the other way.

Noah Gregor and Dante Hannoun. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

Where are they now?

Since leaving the Raiders, Gregor has been playing with the San Jose Sharks since. He has five goals and six points in 30 games so far this season. Hannoun is playing with Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan in the Alps Hockey League—which features teams from Northern Italy, Austria and Slovenia. Hannoun finished second in team scoring with 14 goals and 38 points in 30 games.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW