Reece Vitelli. (Submitted photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raiders Hockey

Vitelli’s role with Raiders has only grown

Feb 16, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Even before he officially joined the Prince Albert Raiders, Reece Vitelli was already all in. He was dealt from the Everett Silvertips to the Raiders on Oct. 13, 2019, six days before two teams would meet in Everett for a game.

Instead of waiting for the Raiders to pick him up in Everett and have one of the team’s staff take his car to Prince Albert, Vitelli instead spent most of those six days travelling. He drove all the way from Everett to Prince Albert. Then, he travelled with his new club on the bus, all the way back where he had just come from two days prior.

Vitelli has brought that type of dedication to the Raiders, even before the first “Vitelli” name bar was stitched onto a Raider jersey.

As a reward of sorts for that dedication, Vitelli will now end his WHL career as a captain of the Prince Albert Raiders, the team’s 45^th skipper.

“It’s been a huge honour. It’s been great leading this great group of guys we have. We’ve been really close and it’s a lot of fun,” Vitelli said. “I embrace it and I challenge myself to be my best every day. We’ve been gelling here, hopefully we can get some wins in the last 24 games.”

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

20h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

20h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

21h ago

When players are asked about what kind of leader they are, they often say the “lead on the ice,” or by example, and let their actions and play do the talking. Others are more talkative in the dressing room, making sure their team knows exactly what they have to do, correct mistakes and pick up their teammates.

Vitelli is a hybrid of the two models. He lets his play and his preparation speak for itself, but he’s not the shy type either.

“I try to be a leader on the ice, but I’m vocal sometimes. I try to push guys to be the best that they can, and hold guys accountable,” Vitelli said. “We’ve got a lot of leaders in the group to help me with that, so it’s a team bond in there, and everybody’s a leader. It makes it easier.”

Vitelli and the Raiders have won two of their last three games after a six-game losing streak. They will get back at it with two important home games this weekend, taking on the Regina Pats on Friday and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday.

“It’s really big for us. We’re neck-and-neck with four teams looking for that eighth spot,” Vitelli said of his team’s recent play. “The guys are coming together here, really gelling and working hard. That’s all we have to do, is work hard and we can beat anyone in this league.”

–

Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW