Expect tickets for the Raiders' opening night to be a hot commodity in Prince Albert. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Raiders Home Opener

Countdown begins to Raiders home opener vs. Blades

Jun 21, 2022 | 4:00 PM

The opening act of the 2022-23 WHL season is officially set.

The Prince Albert Raiders will begin their season on September 23 at home against their arch-rival Saskatoon Blades. With that detail out of the way, the work to prepare for it off the ice begins.

A busy few months for the Raiders office is set to start as they now know their exhibition schedule and the schedule for their first weekend, as the Blades announced their home opener would be September 24 against the Raiders.

“The start of the season is always an exciting part of the season, if not the most exciting part,” said Raiders business manager Michael Scissons. “It’s a culmination of all the work we put in here in the office and of all the work everyone does in order to get ready for the season.”

Last season, the Raiders opened the campaign against the Regina Pats and didn’t see the Blades until deeper into the year. It will help ramp up excitement in the community to see them on opening night.

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“We’re expecting it to be raucous as it always is when the Blades come to town,” said Scissons. “Despite the massive changes in the style of hockey over the last 20 years, what hasn’t changed is that disdain for your number one rivals. To see that here on opening night when the peak of excitement is reached after everyone’s waiting, emotions will be high.”

Another major difference from last season’s opener: COVID-19 restrictions. After successfully navigating the rules in place due to the pandemic last year, a season without them will be a welcome return to normal.

“It’s not only a relief for the organization, it’s a relief for the fans and for everyone involved,” Scissons said. “All we can do is thank everybody for following the guidelines that seemed to be constantly changing last year.”

With the pandemic restrictions hopefully well in the rear-view mirror, this opener will look a lot more like the ones fans were used to in the pre-pandemic years. A barbecue in the parking lot before the game and other festivities should all be back.

“The ice goes back in pretty much a month from now and we’ll be right back to it,” said Scissons. “It’ll be a busy time for the next two months, but we’re looking forward to every day that we come to work so we can get ready for another year.”

Scissons added they’ll have a golf tournament and a hockey camp between now and when training camp officially opens.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP