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Raiders hold up their sticks after a game in January 2020 (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)
KEATON ELLERBY

Raiders hire former NHLer as new assistant coach

Aug 2, 2022 | 4:00 PM

After more than a decade in the professional ranks, a former NHLer is coming to Prince Albert.

The Prince Albert Raiders announced Tuesday they have hired Keaton Ellerby as its new assistant coach.

Ellerby fills the vacant assistant coaching spot left by Jeff Truitt, who was announced head coach last month.

READ MORE: Raiders promote Jeff Truitt to head coach

“He checked the boxes on what we were looking for,” head coach, Jeff Truitt, said. “We were looking for a former defenseman to help our defense core. He was also a penalty killer which will be a part of his responsibilities … He’s got a lot of experience being an NHL player and going to Europe, and he really added to our repertoire of what we wanted in a coach.”

Ellerby is a former NHL player who spent over six seasons with the Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, and Winnipeg Jets.

(Facebook/Prince Albert Raiders)

The former Kamloops Blazer started his pro career with the AHL’s Rochester Americans in 2008-09. He played three seasons in Florida before being dealt to the Kings in 2012-13. In 2013-14, Ellerby played 51 games for the Jets, and one more game in 2014-15, which was his last in the NHL.

From there, Ellerby went to Europe, playing for eight different teams across eight countries. Most recently, he finished the 2021-22 season with the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the U.K.

“We’re excited to bring Keaton on board,” general manager, Curtis Hunt, said. “He’s a player I had the pleasure of coaching out of U18 when he was a junior. He’s got terrific experience at the pro-level in Europe. What he lacks in coaching experience we believe that with our veteran coaching staff it will be a seamless transition for him as he begins his new step and a new era in Raider hockey.”

derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @PA_Craddock

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