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Headshots of Shayne Toporowski (left) in 1995 and Denis Pederson (right) in 1993. (WHL/Twitter)
The old stomping grounds

Former Raiders teammates back at Art Hauser Centre for training camp

Sep 2, 2022 | 3:11 PM

The last time Denis Pederson and Shayne Toporowski played in the Art Hauser Centre was back in 1995.

Now 27 years later, the two local Saskatchewan boys are back in Prince Albert for Raiders training camp, but this time they’re up in the stands.

Both of their sons were picked up by the Raiders over the past year, and each has the chance to don the sweaters that their fathers did all those years ago.

Toporowski’s son, Dmitri was Prince Albert’s 21st overall pick in the 2021 U.S Priority Draft. Although Dmitri is injured, the two of them still made the near 3,800-kilometre trip from Boston, MA to be at training camp this weekend.

When asked about what it was like for his son to get drafted, Toporowski recalled the emotions he and his son had that day.

“Going through the process myself, it brought back a ton of memories,” he said. “As for my son, he was very excited. Him and his classmates were watching during school and they all were cheering for him.”

As for Pederson’s son, Doogan, it was a different story as he went undrafted. But some good news was thrown his way shortly after the draft was held.

“About a month after the draft, the Raiders reached out and listed him,” he said. “I got a phone call from the team and it was a bit of a surprise but it was awesome at the same time knowing that he’s going to come to camp and be in Prince Albert.”

With being back in the Art Hauser, the two former teammates reflected and shared some of their fondest memories whilst playing for the Raiders.

“The playoffs,” Pederson said. “When I was 19, we made a nice little playoff run and fell a game short. My first two years, we were unfortunate because we didn’t make the playoffs and my last year we did and seeing the Art Hauser filled and with the fans going crazy like it’s one of the best junior rinks around.”

“It was amazing that playoff run we had,” said Toporowski. “Obviously those first two years were quite difficult for us, but as we matured and got to see the fruits of the labour, it was pretty special.”

“What’s great about playing all those years of pro hockey is that we still remain very great friends and that’s one of those special memories that I’ll always keep.”

logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann

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