Season preview: Raiders again built from back end out with opening night ahead

“Up to this point in time, I really like it,” Truitt said. “I know there are going to be some corrections and things we’re going to have to do along the way, but right now we’re optimistic with our guys and how they’re playing.”

Up front, many of last year’s key forwards are back, but there remains a bit of a by-committee feel to the offense. Returning players like Sloan Stanick and Evan Herman, the team’s two top returning goal scorers, will be relied upon night in and night out.

“A 28-goal scorer in Herman and Stanick had 22, we’re going to lean on those guys for sure,” said Truitt. “But now we’re going to inject other guys. (Carson) Latimer is going to be one of those guys if he comes back. We’re looking for more from (Vlad) Shilo to produce that way and (Niall) Crocker as well. He’s gotten off to a great start and his confidence I think is high.”

Of Stanick’s 22 goals last year, 20 came after a trade to the Raiders earlier in the campaign. He took a little bit of time to get used to his new surroundings, but once he got settled in, he was off to the races. Following a hat trick against the Blades, he found a groove and quickly established himself as one of the Raiders’ best scorers.

“When I was traded here it was a bit of a shock, but ever since I’ve been here it’s been amazing,” Stanick said. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Being here from the start is definitely exciting. Getting to know the younger guys and everybody coming together, it’s exciting and I can’t wait for the season.”

Raiders fans will soon get to know the younger guys as well. With Latimer away at camp with the Ottawa Senators, there are opportunities up the lineup for some of the youngest players in camp, with 16-year-olds Ryder Ritchie, Cole Peardon, and Grady Martin all making the team at forward.

“I had the opportunity to play with Ritchie a bit, he played with (Herman) and I,” Stanick said. “He’s young, he’s skilled, he’s pretty smart as well so he’s going to be a very good player and someone to look for this year and in years to come.”

Most of the forwards are returnees, with Keaton Sorenson, Dallyn Peekeekoot, Hayden Pakkala, Harrison Lodewyk, and Zachary Wilson all having been with the team last season. Joining the group from the Brandon Wheat Kings is Jessiah Bennet, who tied for the team lead in preseason scoring with four points in four games.

Last season, the strength of the Raiders was on defense. Even though they’re starting the year without both Nolan Allan and Landon Kosior, both away at NHL camps with the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings respectively, the blueline still looks like the team’s strong foundation.

“I think that (Justice) Christensen and (Terrell) Goldsmith have established themselves as a really good pair, moving pucks, physical, in good positions,” said Truitt. “I really think that they’re going to be a really solid tandem.”

Also returning on the back end are 20-year-old Trevor Thurston, 19-year-old Tayem Gislason, and 18-year-olds Eric Johnston and Tre Fouquette. Joining them on the blueline is 16-year-old Seth Tansem, one of the team’s two second-round picks in the 2021 prospects draft.

With Kosior and Allan away, the team’s top pairing is vacant, and all the minutes they ate up are going to have to go somewhere until they return (if they do). For the young defenders, that’s a challenge they’re excited about.

“Just watching them and what they’ve done over the past years they’ve been here, taking notes, it’s been good,” Johnston said. “I think I’m ready. Me, (Thurston and Gislason), I think we’re all ready for this step and we’ll take as much opportunity as we can get before they get back.”

Drawing too many conclusions from preseason can be a dangerous habit, but it’s worth pointing out the Raiders never allowed more than 25 shots in a game through five preseason contests. When shots did get through, one of the more stable areas of the Raiders got another chance to shine: the goalies.

Tikhon Chaika and Max Hildebrand are both back from last year, giving the team a lot of certainty in area that teams need it most.

“You’ve got Chaika, goaltender of the week there a few times last year, played extremely well for us,” said Truitt. “Hildebrand has really come on, had a great offseason and exhibition season. He’s been solid, particularly in Warman. I thought he was really good that win. I think we’re just getting the tip of the iceberg with him.”

There are still questions to be answered with this group. Right now, Sorenson, Herman, and Thurston are the three 2002-born players allowed by league rules, but if Kosior returns from the Kings camp, he’ll force them into a tough choice.

Then there’s the question of who runs the power play in Kosior and Allan’s absence. Several defensemen put their hat in that ring with strong showings in the exhibition schedule. Thurston, Christensen, and Tansem all scored power play goals in the preseason, and Johnston scored at even strength as well.

“We’ve had Christensen back there, him and Goldsmith have been really good at moving pucks,” said Truitt. “You’ve got Thurston, you’ve got Johnston, you’ve got Gislason there as well. Tansem is a good puck-moving guy, probably not quite ready yet. But up top, you’re probably going to have to look at a Christensen being a quarterback on the one unit, Thurston on the other.”

The opening of the season always brings a litany of questions, and the Raiders are just days away from starting to find the answers. That journey begins at 7:00 on Friday night. If you can’t make it in person, catch the game on 900 CKBI.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP

by Rob Mahon

Season preview: Raiders again built from back end out with opening night ahead

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