The Raiders have added forward Keaton Sorensen, a former star in Saskatchewan's U18 AAA circuit. (Submitted Photo/ Prince Albert Raiders/Rob Wallator [Red Deer Rebels])

By Rob Mahon

Raiders Trade

Raiders acquire forward Sorensen from Rebels

Aug 18, 2021 | 10:00 AM

What promises to be a younger forward group for the Prince Albert Raiders this year just got an infusion of both experience and, they believe, scoring touch. The team announced Tuesday they had acquired forward Keaton Sorensen from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a conditional ninth-round pick in 2022.

Sorensen posted just two assists in 23 games last season for a Rebels squad that struggled in the standings, but those numbers may be deceptive. He had seven goals and seven assists in his rookie season with the team in 2019-20 and in his final season of U18 hockey he posted 65 points in just 42 games.

“We’ve watched Keaton for a while, starting in Notre Dame and then as he played with the Rebels,” said Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt. “He’s had all the tools, I just don’t know if he’s kind of put it all together yet.”

The hope is Sorensen will find his offensive stride in Prince Albert and help bring some experience to a younger forward group as one of just four potentially returning 19-year-olds upfront. Going back to his U18 AAA career, signs of more offensive potential are there.

“You never know what anyone’s journey is like,” Hunt said. “I just know this much: you don’t lose your skill and your ability to read and understand the games.”

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If Sorensen does begin to show the kind of offensive touch he displayed in his younger years, he could add some potency to the Raiders’ offense. With leading scorer Ozzy Wiesblatt eligible to return and all four of their top scorers able to come back, the team may be able to bring some firepower to bear.

“Because of COVID, we weren’t able to really see any other divisions other than on TV,” Hunt said. “In my opinion, there’s nothing better than watching players live. So even for our younger players, the shortened season, a lot of younger players didn’t get that full opportunity as well. So I think all of us are optimistic about our groups coming in.”

When the Raiders open the season on Oct. 1 against the Regina Pats, they will be allowed to have three players born in 2001 to go along with the four eligible returnees born in 2002. Forwards Justin Nachbaur and Spencer Moe, both born in 2000, will be moving on from junior hockey.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP