Josh Manson hoists the Stanley Cup at the Colorado Avalanche's 2022 victory parade. (The Associated Press)

By Jaryn Vecchio

WE WANT THE CUP!

P.A. players and former Raiders competing for this year’s Stanley Cup

Apr 17, 2023 | 3:00 PM

Prince Albert will be well-represented during the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.

From the City of Champions to the Mile High City and the Big Apple, many players who once called Prince Albert home are ready to battle for their chance to hoist the Cup.

Speaking of the Mile High City, defenseman Josh Manson is looking to help his team, the Colorado Avalanche, to back-to-back championships.

He was born in Illinois but moved to P.A. when he was 10. While he never played for the Raiders, he suited up for two seasons with the Mintos.

Manson missed most of the 2022-23 season due to multiple injuries. In the 27 games he did play, he scored two goals and added eight assists for 10 points.

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Braden Schneider. (File Photo/paNOW)

Meanwhile, Braden Schneider will be looking to follow in Manson’s footsteps.

The P.A. native played in all but one game for the New York Rangers this season. In those games, he had five goals and 13 assists for 18 points.

Despite being in just his second NHL season, Schneider already has 20 playoff games under his belt after the Rangers run to the Eastern Conference Finals last year.

Leon Draisaitl. (File photo/paNOW staff)

One of the NHL’s best players, who also called P.A. home for roughly two years, is looking to help the Edmonton Oilers become the first Canadian team since 1993 to win the cup.

Leon Draisaitl arguably had his best season careerwise, scoring 52 goals and helping on another 76 for 128 points. This was the second most in the NHL this season behind his teammate Connor McDavid.

From 2012 to 2014, he was playing for the Prince Albert Raiders.

When looking at a list of players who play their best hockey during the playoffs, Draisaitl would be near the top of the list. In 37 games he’s lit the lamp 18 times and added 41 assists for 59 points. That is four more points than McDavid, who’ve played in the same amount of games.

Josh Morrissey. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

One of the NHL’s best defensemen this season also called P.A. home at one time in his life.

Josh Morrissey, who had 16 goals and 60 assists for 76 points for the Winnipeg Jets, played for the Raiders over parts of five seasons.

This was his best offensive season since he put up 73 points for the Raiders in the 2013-14 season.

Just like Draisaitl, Morrissey will be looking to help his Jets be the first Canadian team to lift the Cup in 30 years.

Brayden Pachal. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

There’s also a chance a former Raider could suit up for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Brayden Pachal played 10 games for the NHL’s second-newest team and while he didn’t score, he did add two assists.

Pachal played for the Raiders from 2016 to 2019.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway on Monday with four games. The Oilers are at home against the L.A. Kings, the Boston Bruins are home to open their series with Florida, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the New York Islanders, and the Dallas Stars host the Minnesota Wild.

On Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs will start their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Jets are on the road in Vegas, the New Jersey Devils host the Rangers, and the Avalanche welcome the Seattle Kraken.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow