Forwards Bryce Warkentine (left) and Dallyn Peekeekoot (right) follow the play during a Friday morning scrimmage. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Pesky P.A. Raiders

Raiders won’t be easy to play against with these guys

Sep 10, 2021 | 4:42 PM

Since he claimed his spot behind the Prince Albert Raiders’ bench, head coach Marc Habscheid has made it quite clear that he wants his teams to be difficult to play against and to never be outworked.

Second-year Raiders Dallyn Peekeekoot and Adam McNutt couldn’t fit that mantra better.

In the shortened hub season last year, both established their physical play despite being first years in the league.

Other than his U18 AAA games with the Prince Albert Mintos, Peekeekoot hasn’t played in front of fans at the Art Hauser Centre yet. But he’s already proven himself as a fan favourite with his fast style of play.

Peekeekoot stormed onto the scene in his fifth game, scoring a goal, getting two assists and knocking then 20-year-old defenceman Wyatt McLeod to the ice during a fight in a 5-3 defeat to the Blades on April 8.

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When the game gets a little greasy and tempers start to flare, that’s when feisty forward Peekeekoot feels he can make the biggest impact. Even during Raiders’ camp this week, Peekekoot has felt that out there.

“That’s where I like to shine, when games get gritty and it gets faster. That’s where my game comes into play with the hitting and physicality,” Peekeekoot said.

Despite being a 17-year-old rookie, bruising blueliner McNutt was among the WHL league leaders in fights. He had four in 22 games, tied for second place in the league.

But McNutt is far from a fight-only enforcer. With way more offseason time than in previous years, players have been able to spend more time on skills. McNutt said he’s much more comfortable with the puck, especially after getting acclimated to the speed of the WHL games last year.

“Especially with a year under my belt in the bubble too, it just gives me more confidence. But we’ll just go out there and do what we do,” McNutt said.

The Raiders will hold their Green and Gold young guns intrasquad game at 5:30 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre today, before wrapping up camp with the Green and White game at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

With files from Rob Mahon.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW