Forward Cale Sanders played his first full WHL season with the Raiders last year. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Raiders Release Sanders

Raiders release 2002-born forward Sanders

Aug 15, 2022 | 12:24 PM

A tough decision loomed for the Prince Albert Raiders in terms of their 2002-born players. They’re only allowed to keep three of them for the coming season, and six such players were eligible to return from last season’s squad.

Part of that tough decision making was done today as the team announced they had released forward Cale Sanders. The Claresholm, Alta. product suited up for the Raiders in all 68 games and all five postseason games last year. In the regular season, he netted 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points and was one of just four players to appear in every game.

Before joining the Raiders, Sanders had some WHL experience. He had previously played in the WHL for the Regina Pats, most recently in the 2019-2020 season in which he played 34 games. After that, in the COVID-shortened season, he played in seven games for the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers.

Sanders joined the team for training camp and quickly played his way onto their radar for the full season. After signing a standard player agreement on Sept. 15, 2021, the dependable forward appeared in just about every situation for the Raiders, from power plays to penalty kills to empty-net situations. He scored his first WHL goal against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Oct. 16, 2021.

Some of Sanders’ other highlights as a member of the Raiders included scoring the Toque toss goal against the Calgary Hitmen on Dec. 11, a goal and a fight against the Pats on Dec. 3, and a highlight-reel shorthanded tally against the Pats on April 9 at the height of the playoff race between the two teams.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

12h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

16h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

19h ago

In a post on their website, the Raiders thanked Sanders for his efforts with the teams during the 2021-22 season. Forwards Evan Herman, Keaton Sorenson, and Ozzy Wiesblatt and defensemen Landon Kosior and Trevor Thurston are the remaining 2002-born players from last season’s roster.

—-

rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP